The musical, based on the Jean Shepherd stories and 1983 film of the same title, bowed in Seattle after a 2009 holiday debut at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Edges songwriters Pasek and Paul replace Scott Davenport Richards, who originally wrote the music and lyrics for the world premiere.
A Christmas Story: The Musical! began in Seattle Nov. 26 and will continue through Dec. 30. Eric Rosen directs the stage adaptation, based on the Jean Shepherd stories and 1983 film of the same title. The libretto is by Joseph Robinette. Kelly Devine (Rock of Ages) is the choreographer.
Peter Billingsley, the former child actor perhaps best known as Ralphie Parker in the iconic 1983 film "A Christmas Story," is among the producers of the 5th Avenue run. The team is hoping the project will have a future life.
The 5th Avenue Theatre has served as the pre-Broadway stop for such musicals as Hairspray, Shrek and the forthcoming Catch Me If You Can. No future commercial plan has been announced for the show.
Clarke Hallum stars as Ralphie Parker in a cast that also includes John Bolton (Broadway's Curtains, Spamalot) as the Old Man and Anne Allgood (5th Ave productions of Sunday in the Park…, Candide) as Mother. The cast also features River Aguirre (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) as Schwartz, Drama Desk nominee Orville Mendoza (Adrift in Macao) as Elf/Waiter, Frank Corrado as Jean Shepherd, Eric Polani Jensen as Pierre, Carol Swarbrick as Miss Shields and Matt Wolfe (Catch Me If You Can) as Santa.
Young cast members include Keenan Barr as Grover Dill, Ashton Herrild as Scut Farkus, Matthew Lewis as Randy Parker, Dexter Johnson as Flick, Walker Caplan, Wilder Cufley, Larson Eernissee, Drea Gordon, Shaye Hodgins, Olivia Mora, Erich W. Schleck, Cameron Washington and Mira Wellington.
The adult ensemble comprises Candice Donehoo, Brandon O'Neill, Billie Wildrick, and Jadd Davis as the Singing Quartet. Joining them are Krystle Armstrong, Jared Michael Brown, Sarah Davis, Aaron Finley, Frances Leah King, Jenny Shotwell and Ty Willis.
The design team includes Walt Spangler (scenic design), Elizabeth Hope Clancy (costume design), Larry Blank (orchestrations), Ian Eisendrath (musical direction) and Howell Binkley (lighting design).
Also producing the Seattle run are Gerald Goehring and Michael Mitri, Roy Miller (The Pee-wee Herman Show, West Side Story), Pat Addiss (Promises, Promises; Spring Awakening), Louise H. Beard, Mariano Tolentino, Timothy Laczynski, Bartner/Jenkins Entertainment, Angela Milonas, and Bradford W. Smith.
Based on the stories of radio humorist Jean Shepherd, the classic holiday story concerns Ralphie Parker, whose holiday wish is a Red Ryder 200 Shot Carbine Action Air Rifle. The 1940s-set comedy follows Ralphie through his holiday campaign for the gift of his dreams, complete with a visit to Santa at Higbee's Department Store, a racy lamp, the family's exploding furnace, an experiment with a wet tongue on a cold lamppost and more.
For tickets visit 5thAvenue.
