The story from a cherished movie classic that's enchanted millions is now a musical spectacular. In 1940's Indiana, a bespectacled boy named Ralphie has a big imagination and one wish for Christmas-a Red Ryder BB Gun. A kooky leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a cranky department store Santa, and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the obstacles that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas dream.
We've all seen the scene in 'A Christmas Story' when the kid gets his tongue stuck on a frozen flagpole. Now on Broadway is that very same scene – plus the kid actually singing through it, or at least trying to sing. 'Sthlun luv a...,' he mumbles at the end. It's just one great touch in a musical that dares to mess with one of the most popular Christmas-time movies of all time and yet manages to not only do the film justice, but top it. The show...is a charming triumph of imagination that director John Rando has infused with utter joy. It's also a snappy piece of mature songwriting from a pair of guys barely as old as the original 1983 film...Purists may be upset to miss some film elements – such as Ralphie's decoder ring – but few will walk away thinking 'A Christmas Story' has been dishonored, itself a little Christmas miracle.
Broadway has recently seen such a steady stream of family musicals devised to rake in Thanksgiving-to-New Year's dollars. 'A Christmas Story,' as its well-known title indicates, is yet another such specimen, but one that distinguishes itself. Based on a memoir by humorist Jean Shepherd and its revered 1983 film adaptation, this tuner boasts a heartwarming but wise story, an impressive score by Broadway newcomers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, canny staging and a series of laugh-out-loud production numbers. While 'Christmas Story' is a natural for kids, there's more than enough here for grown-ups of all ages.
| 2011 | US Tour |
National Tour US Tour |
| 2012 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
| 2013 | Off-Broadway |
Madison Square Garden Production Off-Broadway |
| 2017 | Motion Picture |
FOX Live Televised Production Motion Picture |
| 2021 | US Tour |
Non Equity Tour US Tour |
| 2025 | US Tour |
Non-Equity US Tour |
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Book of a Musical | Joseph Robinette |
| 2013 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Choreography | Warren Carlyle |
| 2013 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | John Bolton |
| 2013 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | John Bolton |
| 2013 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Music | Justin Paul |
| 2013 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Music | Benj Pasek |
| 2013 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations | Larry Blank |
| 2013 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Dan Lauria |
| 2013 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Musical | 0 |
| 2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Gerald Goehring |
| 2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Roy Miller |
| 2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Michael F. Mitri |
| 2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Pat Flicker Addiss |
| 2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Peter Billingsley |
| 2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Timothy Laczynski |
| 2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Mariano V. Tolentino Jr. |
| 2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Louise H. Beard |
| 2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Michael Filerman |
| 2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Scott Hart |
| 2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Alison Eckert |
| 2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Bob Bartner |
| 2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Michael Jenkins |
| 2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Angela Milonas |
| 2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Bradford W. Smith |
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