Jean Shepherd News

This holiday season, Tennessee Repertory Theatre will once again present the holiday cult classic A Christmas Story adapted by Phillip Grecian and based on the motion picture by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, and Bob Clark.

The 5th Avenue Theatre is presenting a brand new addition to holiday theater offerings with the new adaptation of the classic 1983 film, "A Christmas Story: The Musical". And while half the show harkened fond memories of the film and left me with a wonderful sense of hope for this new piece of musical theater, the other half fell into old familiar musical traps and left me wanting as it shot its eye out. In case you haven't seen the movie that is shown incessantly over the holiday season (sometimes for 24 hour periods nonstop) here's a brief rundown. We follow the quest of young Ralphie Parker as he plots and schemes to convince his parents (and Santa) to get him the best Christmas present in the world, a Red Ryder 200 Shot Carbine Action Air Rifle. The problem is he keeps running into obstacles of his Mother, his teacher and even Santa as they warn him away from the gift with the familiar, "You'll shoot your eye out." But Ralphie is tenacious and will have his prize. Meanwhile we also get to know the rest of the Parkers and their neighbors as we dive into the world of story originator Jean Shepherd. Complete with bullies, major awards and triple dog dares, the story harkens back to a simpler time when the biggest thing kids had to worry about was what Santa was bringing them. The show itself is a charmer with book by Joseph Robinette who manages to keep the feel of the original material intact and still hits all the points and jokes that have become so familiar. The problem I ran into was with the songs. As I said, half of the show worked great. Act One was filled with wonderful tuners that captured the tone perfectly. And composers/lyricists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul seemed to show that someone understands the structure of musical theater. The songs were either perfect for moving the story along or emphasizing through song what a character couldn't do any other way. And the songs "Ralphie to the Rescue" and "A Major Award" were both complete show stoppers and crucial to the story. Then we hit Act Two and suddenly it was like a completely different writing team as the songs ceased being essential as every single moment in the play got one right up to the end. So many superfluous numbers that could have been forsaken for just telling the story weighed down the second half until it finally ended with a whimper of exhaustion. The cast however is superb and has the perfect style for the period. Clarke Hallum plays the scheming Ralphie and even though he was a bit presentational at times, his voice is right up there with any of the adults on stage. Anne Allgood is endearingly lovely as Ralphie's Mother and her moment in Act Two where she covers for Ralphie had me in tears. Frank Corrado is spot on as the narrator Jean Shepherd as he weaves this wonderful tale for us in the guise of a radio drama. And special kudos to John Bolton as Ralphie's "Old Man" who practically steals the show with is antics and especially with his overly zealous "Major Award" number. With a gorgeous set from Walt Spangler and costumes that look like they were transported right from the movie by Elizabeth Hope Clancy, this show could have been the new theatrical holiday standard by which all of the "Elf"s, and "Grinch"s would be judged. I only wish the writers had realized what they were doing so right in the first half and could have kept it up in the second. "A Christmas Story: The Musical" plays at the 5th Avenue Theatre through December 30th. For tickets or information contact the 5th Avenue Box Office at 206-625-1900 or toll free at 888-5TH-4TIX (584-4849) or visit them online at www.5thavenue.org. Photo Credit: Chris Bennion

Ralphie Parker wants one thing for Christmas, "Old Blue" -- the official Red Ryder 200-shot carbon action range model air rifle with a compass and that thing which tells time!

Based on the stories of radio humorist Jean Shepherd and adapted from the hilarious 1983 family holiday film, A Christmas Story: The Musical! follows young Ralphie Parker, as he schemes his way towards the holiday gift of his dreams -- a Red Ryder 200 Shot Carbine Action Air Rifle. With its sparkling original score by Broadway's hottest young composer/lyricist team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, its wicked wit, and its heart of pure gold, A Christmas Story: The Musical! is a yuletide delight for the whole family.

Based on the stories of radio humorist Jean Shepherd and adapted from the hilarious 1983 family holiday film, A Christmas Story: The Musical! follows young Ralphie Parker, as he schemes his way towards the holiday gift of his dreams -- a Red Ryder 200 Shot Carbine Action Air Rifle. With its sparkling original score by Broadway's hottest young composer/lyricist team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, its wicked wit, and its heart of pure gold, A Christmas Story: The Musical! plays through December 30, 2010, and is a yuletide delight for the whole family.

You'll shoot your eye out... and laugh yourself silly with the JPAS local premiere of A CHRISTMAS STORY! Based on the beloved holiday movie of the same name, A CHRISTMAS STORY is on stage at the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 177 Sala Ave. in Westwego, December 3-19, 2010.

Peter Billingsley, the actor who starred as the nine-year-old bespectacled hero "Ralphie" in the 1983 irreverent holiday film classic A Christmas Story, has signed on as a producer of the new musical adaptation of the perennial favorite, currently in previews at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre.

Theater-goers in Nashville have a new holiday tradition to embrace this season with Tennessee Repertory Theatre's wonderfully staged and acted revival of last season's critically acclaimed stage adaptation of A Christmas Story. Adapted by Philip Grecian and based on the iconic 1983 movie script by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark, all the beloved characters and their wacky situations (yep, that famous fishnet-stocking-clad lamp aka 'a major award' is onstage) are brought to life - and, rest assured, you'll have even more fun than you would hunkered down in front of the TV.

Georgia Shakespeare announces a 'Black Friday' sale on tickets to their holiday show, A CHRISTMAS STORY, live on stage December 8-26. Select seats to the show are 20% off, for 24 hours only.

Department store Santas, schoolyard bullies, freezing flagpoles and a certain horribly embarrassing pair of bunny pajamas… these are just some of the pleasures awaiting audiences at Portland Center Stage's first-annual production of A Christmas Story, adapted by Phil Grecian from the cult holiday film of the same name.

We are pleased to announce the cast for A Christmas Story: The Musical!, the 5th Avenue Theatre's upcoming holiday production. The roster features an impressive array of Seattle area talent, as well as three actors from New York.

Georgia Shakespeare announces a 'Black Friday' sale on tickets to their holiday show, A CHRISTMAS STORY, live on stage December 8-26. Select seats to the show are 20% off, for 24 hours only.

Department store Santas, schoolyard bullies, freezing flagpoles and a certain horribly embarrassing pair of bunny pajamas… these are just some of the pleasures awaiting audiences at Portland Center Stage's first-annual production of A Christmas Story, adapted by Phil Grecian from the cult holiday film of the same name.

This holiday season, Tennessee Repertory Theatre will once again present the holiday cult classic A Christmas Story adapted by Phillip Grecian and based on the motion picture by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, and Bob Clark.

Since the 1983 film debut, Jean Shepherd's holiday classic A Christmas Story has warmed hearts nationwide with visions of leg lamps and Midwestern children dressed in their overstuffed winter parkas, longing for the infamous Red Rider BB gun-much to their parents' consternation.

Ralphie Parker wants one thing for Christmas, "Old Blue" -- the official Red Ryder 200-shot carbon action range model air rifle with a compass and that thing which tells time!

You'll shoot your eye out... and laugh yourself silly with the JPAS local premiere of A CHRISTMAS STORY! Based on the beloved holiday movie of the same name, A CHRISTMAS STORY is on stage at the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 177 Sala Ave. in Westwego, December 3-19, 2010.

The 5th Avenue Theatre's next installment of our popular Spotlight Night series focuses on our upcoming production of A Christmas Story: The Musical!. Spotlight Night features the show's hot young composer/lyricist duo, an introduction to the show's cast and a behind-the-scenes look at Jean Shepherd, the legendary radio raconteur whose stories inspired the film on which the musical is based.

Since the 1983 film debut, Jean Shepherd's holiday classic A Christmas Story has warmed hearts nationwide with visions of leg lamps and Midwestern children dressed in their overstuffed winter parkas, longing for the infamous Red Rider BB gun-much to their parents' consternation.

Ralphie Parker wants one thing for Christmas, "Old Blue" -- the official Red Ryder 200-shot carbon action range model air rifle with a compass and that thing which tells time!