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The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is currently experiencing the highest-selling show in its history. So is Pioneer Theatre Company in Utah. Funny thing is, it's the same show. And it's the identical title that broke the record for ticket sales at Cleveland Playhouse when it was presented there five years ago at this time.

I know what you're thinking. December? It must be A Christmas Carol. But, no. There's a new yuletide classic in town, and it's called A Christmas Story. It is, of course, based on the perennial film favorite of the same name. And for audiences who'd rather shoot their own eye out with an official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle than view the Dickens classic, it's as welcome as Santa Claus.

"It's a very appealing story," said Seth Gordon, artistic director of Cleveland Play House, which has presented the Philip Grecian adaptation of the 1983 Bob Clark film every December since 2005. "It's filled with nostalgia. It's great family entertainment. It's a wonderful alternative for theatres who don't want to do A Christmas Carol or who want to do something that's safe but also a little offbeat."

For those readers who have spent the greater portion of the past quarter century in a cave, "A Christmas Story" is based on the short stories and Depression-era, Indiana childhood memories of author and Jean Shepherd, including material from his book "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash." Starring Peter Billingsley as young Shepherd stand-in, Ralphie, it debuted in movie theatres in November 1983. Reviews were mixed, and audiences tepid. But its reputation improved with repeated television airings and a video release. Critics now call it a near-perfect film. And by 1997, it was so beloved and popular, TNT began airing a 24-hour marathon dubbed "24 Hours of A Christmas Story," consisting of the film shown 12 consecutive times beginning on Christmas Eve and ending Christmas Day. Now, the movie's classic comic vignettes — Ralphie's manic pursuit of the Red Ryder air rifle; his old man's winning the "major award" of a hideous leg-shaped lamp; friend Flick's getting his tongue stuck to a frozen flagpole; Ralphie's visit with the sadistic Santa and elves at Higbee's department store — are all as much a part of Christmas culture as Tiny Tim and Scrooge.

Since Cleveland found success with the piece, many other theatres have adopted the script.

"When you think about doing a Christmas show, the first show that comes to mind is A Christmas Carol," said Chris Lino, managing director of 47-year-old Pioneer Theatre, "and there are tons of theatres in this area that do it and everyone is so familiar with the story that we've always kind of looked at ourselves and said, 'What the world does not need is another Christmas Carol.' On the other hand, you know that if you can come up with a show that resonates with theatregoers who want holiday entertainment, if you can find a show that hasn't been done a ton of times, then you're interested."

	Christian Flaherty and Kole Selznick Hoffman in The Cleveland Play House's A Christmas Story
	photo by Peter Jennings

While A Christmas Story is a relatively fresh theatrical title, it also possesses the comforting familiarity that audiences seem to crave around the holidays. Said St. Louis Rep artistic director, Steve Woolf, "The audience, they know. 'Oh my God, it's the leg lamp.' You hear this rustle. 'Oh, it's the flagpole.'"

And that audience isn't just kids, or fanatical fans of the film. "The thing we are finding here is the demographic of the audience is sort of wild," said Woolf. "We're seeing lots of young kids, who we think are maybe bringing their parents to see the show. And I've talked to parents who are bringing their kids, who don't know that movie but are totally transfixed. And then I'm seeing groups of teenagers who clearly know the movie. It's running age-wise all over the map." Continued...