This lavish production under the solid direction of Matt Lenz is a sparkling snow globe full of enchantment, sweetness, brilliant color, eye-watering humor, pleasing songs and an abundance of talent to make your Christmas season bright. It couldn’t come at a better time.
Based on the 1983 movie A Christmas Story, the musical adaptation,
which premiered on Broadway in 2012, received several Tony Awards, Drama Desk
and Outer Circle nominations. The duo of
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Tony Award winning Dear Evan Hansen
and Oscar winning film La La Land) crafted
the music and lyrics, and the book was penned by Joseph Robinette based on the
writings of radio humorist Jean Shepherd as well as the film.
The story of young Ralphie Parker’s determined quest to receive the only gift he wants—an official Red Ryder® Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle—is as endearing as it is comical. (Ralphie is played by Blake Burnham for this performance.) The zany saga is packed with mishaps, disappointments, and fulfillment during December 1940 in Hohman, Indiana.
Through dialogue and lyrics contained in the musical, the picture of a simpler time, not necessarily better, but definitely simpler, comes across loud and clear from the action that takes place. The central family of the show—the Parkers—is traditional by those standards with the patriarchal father, a stay-at-home mother and two small kids.
Old-time messages like don’t run while holding scissors; never use a cuss word; a BB gun will shoot your eye out; the notorious triple-dog-dare is the ultimate attempt to coerce someone to do something involuntarily; and teachers imploring students to mind their punctuation, conjugation and stay within the margins flow throughout the story.
You have this tawdry lady’s leg lamp that was won by Ralphie’s father in a contest, “a major award,” which the old man covets but his wife deplores. You have bullies who if they push the right buttons can be beaten up themselves. There are flying lug nuts and a wayward cuss word that results in a bar of soap snack. You have neighbors’ hounds running amok through the Parkers’ house and devouring their Christmas turkey.
"...as good as the adult leads are, the kids steal the show ."
There is a cranky and increasingly intoxicated Santa who frightens the children more than giving them Christmas joy. A down-to-earth teacher breaks out of character to perform a stunning dance number in a glitzy red gown. You have a tongue freezing on a flagpole incident resulting from the dreaded triple-dog-dare. Then there is the Christmas carol-singing Chinese restaurant waiter, just for good measure.
Regardless of who Ralphie encounters to lobby for this special rifle, whether it is his mother (Briana Gantsweg); his old man (Sam Hartley); his teacher Miss Shields, (Sierra Wells); even Santa (Hank Von Kolnitz), Ralphie is told one thing, “You’ll shoot your eye out.”
Performing the role for a seventh year with a hiatus due to Covid, Chris Carsten does a truly splendid job as the voice of Jean Shepherd, narrating the often-hilarious story in the first person as a grown-up Ralphie with an onstage, non-intrusive presence throughout the production. He recalls and shares the younger Ralphie’s thoughts as the boy navigates through each caper.
As the central character, bespectacled Ralphie performs proficiently with his acting and comedic skills, strong vocals and dancing. He is particularly adept in one of the show’s best numbers, “Ralphie to the Rescue!” whereby he imagines he’s a cowboy using his rifle to thwart bank robbers and assorted other scoundrels.
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| Photo: Gary Emord Netzley |
The remainder of his family unit is also appealing with its Midwestern charm. Sam Hartley as The Old Man is spot-on. The father is strict with his children and cursing is verboten (except when he does it). A hardworking man who struggles with the house’s furnace and his Olds, while attempting to dodge his neighbor’s hounds, he found solace in winning that lady’s leg lamp. Gruff as he may be at times, you still root for him, thanks to the performance of Mr. Hartley.
His best songs are “The Genius on Cleveland Street,” a duet with Ms. Gantsweg and “A Major Award,” a phenomenal dance number that evolves into a clever can-can with he and the ensemble dancing with lady legs lamps with the shades seeming like skirts.
Ms. Gantsweg as Ralphie’s sweet mother is the perfect counterpart for her husband. She is the sensible one of the two and protective of her children. Her performance of “What a Mother Does” and “Just Like That” are tender, made even better by her lovely clear soprano voice.
Nicholas Reed adorably plays Ralphie’s timid younger brother Randy who is averse to eating unless he mimics a pig at a trough. But talented Nicholas is quite the hoofer as he along with Miss Shields (Sierra Wells) and other youngsters in the ensemble are flawless tap dancers in “You’ll Shoot You’re Eyes Out.”
This is one of several terrific production numbers choreographed by Warren Carlyle for Broadway and then reset by Jason A. Sparks for the tour. Other quality dance numbers include the aforementioned “Ralphie to the Rescue!” and the imaginative “A Major Award.” The songs are performed with precision under the musical supervision of Andrew Smithson.
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| Photo: Gary Emord Netzley |
The remainder of the cast performs exceptionally in support of the leads. They play the roles of neighbors, shoppers, parents, students, townspeople, elves and others. I’m telling you, as good as the adult leads are, the kids steal the show. They are filled with energy and talent and enthusiasm and joy.
All are costumed magnificently by Elizabeth Hope Clancy from period attire to brilliant elves costumes. And let’s not forget that pink bunny costume Ralphie was sent to him by his aunt.
Walt Spangler designed an outstanding set that was adapted by Michael Carnahan. The principal set is a cut-out of the two-level Parker house that moves back and forth to accommodate scene changes. The living room and kitchen are downstairs while the bedrooms are on the second floor. The exterior of the house is appropriately lined with Christmas lights. Another spectacular set is the snow globe effect that serves as a background to several scenes.
Working in conjunction with the sets is the fantastic lighting design by Charlie Morrison. His use of bold hues that frequently change for emphasis and effect produces a gorgeous palette of color throughout the production. Bright red and green lights in various scenes make for a visual delight.
In addition, much credit should go to sound designer Don Hanna as all dialogue were audible and clear and the orchestration balanced so as not to overwhelm the vocalists.
A Christmas Story, The Musical is a production that runs on all cylinders. It has all the elements needed to bring holiday cheer and pure enjoyment with its talented cast and crew under masterful direction. Oh, and the loveable (not to The Old man) hounds? They’re real!
So, the question you may ask, what’s so great about a show about a kid desiring a BB-gun for Christmas? The answer: everything. Don’t miss this one.
Running time. Two hours and thirty minutes with an intermission.
A Christmas Story, The Musical runs through December 23 at the Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St, Baltimore, MD 21201. For tickets, visit here or visit the Hippodrome Box Office located at 12 N Eutaw St, Baltimore, MD 21201.
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