NewsPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Christmas Story Scrapbook Part One — RehearsalsFollowing a 2011 mini-tour, A Christmas Story, The Musical lands on Broadway Nov. 7. Songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul document the experience for Playbill.com, taking readers through rehearsals and previews and up to opening night.
By
Matthew Blank
November 05, 2012
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A Christmas Story has a score by Richard Rodgers Award-winning Dogfight songwriters Justin Paul and Benj Pasek, and a book by Joseph Robinette. The musical also features orchestrations by 2011 Tony nominee Larry Blank (Catch Me If You Can, The Drowsy Chaperone, White Christmas), musical supervision by Ian Eisendrath and dance arrangements by Glen Kelly.
Tony-winning director John Rando (Urinetown) and Tony-nominated choreographer Warren Carlyle (Chaplin, Follies, An Evening With Hugh Jackman) helm the production. Johnny Rabe stars as Ralphie, with Joe West performing the role at certain performances
The cast will also include John Bolton as The Old Man, Erin Dilly (Nice Work If You Can Get It, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Mother, Caroline O'Connor (Chicago, Mack and Mabel, "Moulin Rouge") as school teacher Miss Shields, Eddie Korbich (The Little Mermaid, The Drowsy Chaperone, Wicked) as Santa Claus and Zac Ballard (Oliver! at Irish Rep) as little brother Randy. Dan Lauria, who last appeared in the title role of Lombardi, will portray narrator Jean Shepherd. A Christmas Story, The Musical has orchestrations by 2011 Tony nominee Larry Blank (Catch Me If You Can, The Drowsy Chaperone, White Christmas), musical supervision by Ian Eisendrath and dance arrangements by Glen Kelly.
According to producers, "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. A Christmas Story, The Musical is holiday entertainment that captures a simpler time in America with delicious wit and a heart of gold."
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Christmas Story Scrapbook Part One — Rehearsals
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Christmas Story Scrapbook Part One — Rehearsals
Following a 2011 mini-tour, A Christmas Story, The Musical lands on Broadway Nov. 7. Songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul document the experience for Playbill.com, taking readers through rehearsals and previews and up to opening night. Read the Playbill.com story.
24 PHOTOS
Christmas magic is about to begin at 42nd Street Studios!
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
The official script.
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
A Christmas Story is a show for all shapes and sizes.
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
John Bolton (The Old Man) making out with his co-stars Pete & Lily!
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Jeremy Shinder (Flick) always causing some trouble.
Stalking Katie Holmes on Floor 9. Our cast has a lot of "Dawson's Creek" fans.
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Making ch-ch-ch-ch-changes around the piano.
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Andrew Cristi after a daily Schmackary's run
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Move over Hugh Jackman. We've got our own Wolverine on Broadway. Associate Music Director Cynthia Kortman Westphal lookin' fierce with her many batons.
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Hey kids, ever hear of "The Wonder Years"?
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Johnny Rabe (Ralphie) saving the day in "Ralphie to the Rescue."
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
14 kids + 2 dogs = 1 gallon of hand sanitizer per day.
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
We promised the kids that if they learned their music, we'd buy them Dominos. Really though, we were just craving Meatlover's pizza.
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Mother (Erin Dilly) putting her face on for the cameras.
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Han, the amazing music intern, loves being sent to Starbucks.
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Director John Rando teaching "Randy" how the little piggies eat.
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Tia Altinay is giving you a full stretch before we meet the press
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Zac Ballard (Randy) was initially scared to eat the sweet potatoes, but finally did after discovering that they were organic.
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Hello gorgeous!
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Kirsten Wyatt preparing for her Matilda audition. She's going for the title role and has some tough competition.
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Is that a cucumber Eddie Korbich is eating or is he just happy to see us?
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
First run-through of the show for our producers Jerry Goehring and Peter Billingsley.
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Wrangling gone wrong.
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Goodbye 42nd Street Studios! We're off to the Lunt-Fontanne!!!
