Exclusive Photos: First Look at A CHRISTMAS STORY at Walnut Street Theatre
The show opens November 26.
By: Gillian Blum Nov. 22, 2025
Walnut Street Theatre continues their 217th season by inviting audiences to experience the holidays with Ralphie Parker and his family in A Christmas Story The Musical.
Travel back to 1940’s Indiana with the Parkers in A Christmas Story The Musical. The show begins previews November 18, opens November 26, and runs through January 4.
Based on the classic 1983 motion picture A Christmas Story and the 1966 book In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd, the show features a book written by Joseph Robinette and music and lyrics written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, The Greatest Showman).
Taking on the lead role of Ralphie are two Walnut veterans, Tyler Jai Knowles and Raphael Sommer. Elyse Langley makes her Walnut debut as Mother and Fran Prisco takes on the role of The Old Man, Ralphie’s father. Rounding out the Parker family are Kieran Gallagher and Oliver Wong, who make their Walnut debuts sharing the role of Randy. Bill Van Horn is Jean Shepherd, and Ellie Mooney is Miss Shields.
The role of Schwartz is shared by Owen Ahlmer and Alex Lias. Flick is shared by Tristan Monaghan and Ellis Targoff. Taking on the role of bully Scut Farkus are Brian Manning and MJ Wermuth. His sidekick Grover Dill is portrayed by Ben Hosbach and Trey Johnson.
Returning to the Walnut stage as dancers, dreamers, and denizens of Ralphie’s world are Dance Captain Joseph Cullinane, Sara Brophy, Will Stephan Connell, Mark Donaldson, Tiara J. Greene, Bonnie Kelly, Ryan Kleinman, Kevin Kulp, Scott Langdon, Kimberly Maxon, Eddie Olmo II, Rebecca Robbins, Kerri Rose, Dominick Sannelli, Rochelle Scudder, Audrey Biehl Simmons, and Devon Sinclair. Laura Kate Marshall rounds out the adult ensemble.
The Walnut production will feature an extended ensemble of children from the Delaware Valley, all students from its Theatre School. The ensemble includes Julia Mercedes Heuman, Emma Caroto, Oona Cooper-Theiman, Lydia Jones, Lila Maley, and Scarlet Presley. The role of the hounds will be played by Gus and Jethro, courtesy of William Perloni Theatrical Animals.
Scenic Designer John Farrell is joined by Lighting Designer Matt Demascolo, Sound Designer Ed Chapman, and Costume Designer Mary Folino.
Check out exclusive photos from the production here!
Photo credit: Mark Garvin
Tyler Jai Knowles
The Company
Tyler Jai Knowles and Bill Van Horn
Lydia Jones, Julia-Mercedes Heuman, Kieran Gallagher, Tyler Jai Knowles, Emma Caroto, Owen Ahlmer, and Ellis Targoff
Lydia Jones, Ellis Targoff, Tyler Jai Knowles, Ellie Mooney, Julia-Mercedes Heuman, and Emma Caroto
Elyse Langley
Fran Prisco, Tyler Jai Knowles, and Elyse Langley
Fran Prisco and the Company
Elyse Langley, Kieran Gallagher, Fran Prisco, and Tyler Jai Knowles
Elyse Langley and Tyler Jai Knowles
Lila Maley, Scarlet Presley, Oona Cooper-Thiemann, Tristan Monaghan, Alex Lias, Raphael Sommer, and Oliver Wong
Raphael Sommer, Ellie Mooney and the Company
Scott Langdon and the Company
Tristan Monaghan, Scarlet Presley, Oona Cooper-Thiemann, Lila Maley, Brian Manning, Raphael Sommer, Oliver Wong, Ben Hosbach, and Alex Lias
Elyse Langley, Oliver Wong, and Raphael Sommer
Fran Prisco, Raphael Sommer, Oliver Wong, Elyse Langley, and Kevin Kulp
The Company
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