PHOTO CALL: A Christmas Story Musical Opens in Seattle; Film's "Ralphie," Peter Billingsley, Produces | Playbill

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News PHOTO CALL: A Christmas Story Musical Opens in Seattle; Film's "Ralphie," Peter Billingsley, Produces Peter Billingsley, who originated the role of "Ralphie" in the 1983 film and serves as a producer on the stage adaptation, was on hand for the opening night of A Christmas Story: The Musical! at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre.

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 Benj Pasek and Justin Paul replaced Scott Davenport Richards, who originally wrote the music and lyrics for the world premiere.

Based on the stories of radio humorist 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.

 

Here is a look at the opening night festivities:

A Christmas Story Musical Opens in Seattle; Film's "Ralphie," Peter Billingsley, Produces



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.  

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.

For tickets visit 5thAvenue.

 
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