David Lai and David Caddick produced the single-disc album of A Christmas Story, which has a score by Edges and James and the Giant Peach songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Joseph Robinette authored the book to the musical, which is based on the Jean Shepherd stories and the 1983 film of the same title.
Hallum and Bolton (Spamalot, Contact, Titanic), who originated the roles of Ralphie and The Old Man, respectively, in the 5th Avenue Theatre production of A Christmas Story last season, are heard on the cast album. Also included is original Seattle cast member Matthew Lewis as Randy.
All three actors repeat their performances for the current tour, which launches Nov. 8 in Hershey, PA.
The album also includes Tony nominee Callaway (Baby, Miss Saigon) as Mother and Wopat (Catch Me If You Can, Annie Get Your Gun) as Jean Shepherd.
Producers have not announced plans for a nationwide release for the album, but it will be sold during tour stops in Hershey, PA (Nov. 8-13 at the Hershey Theatre); Detroit, MI (Nov. 15-27 at the Fisher Theatre); Raleigh, NC (Nov. 29-Dec. 4 at the Memorial Auditorium); Tampa, FL (Dec. 6-11 at the Straz Center); and Chicago, IL (Dec. 14-30 at the Chicago Theatre). 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.
Songs include:
"Overture"
"Counting Down to Christmas"
"Highbee's"
"Red Ryder"
"The Genius on Cleveland Street"
"When You're a Wimp"
"Ralphie to the Rescue"
"What A Mother Does"
"A Sticky Situation"
"A Major Award"
"Act One Finale"
"A Kid At Christmas"
"You'll Shoot Your Eye Out"
"Just Like That"
"Up On Santa's Lap"
'Before The Old Man Comes Home"
"Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana'
"A Christmas Story"
The show is produced by Peter Billingsley, the former child actor perhaps best known for creating the role of Ralphie Parker in the holiday film, as well as Gerald Goehring (Frankenstein: The Musical), Roy Miller (West Side Story revival, The Drowsy Chaperone), Michael F. Mitri (Frankenstein: The Musical), Pat Flicker Addiss (Promises, Promises; Spring Awakening), Mariano Tolentino, Louise H. Beard, Michael Filerman, Scott Hart, Timothy Laczynski, Bartner/Jenkins Entertainment, Angela Milonas, Bradford W. Smith.
A Christmas Story, The Musical! debuted in an earlier incarnation in 2009 at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. That production had a score by Scott Davenport Richards. It resurfaced in 2010, with Pasek and Paul attached, for a run at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre.
The production has scenic design by Walt Spangler; costume design by Elizabeth Hope Clancy; lighting design by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley; orchestrations by 2011 Tony nominee Larry Blank; musical supervision by Ian Eisendrath; dance arrangements by Glen Kelly; casting by Stephanie Klapper.
