The third time’s sure to be a charm when Stage Right brings back its production of “A Christmas Story the Musical” for one weekend only Dec. 13-15 at The Lamp Theatre in Irwin.
The Greensburg-based professional theater company first introduced the musical retelling of the 1983 film by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul in 2017, reprising it for the 2018 holiday season. The songwriting duo’s work also includes “Dear Evan Hansen,” “La La Land” and “The Greatest Showman.”’
“This show has quickly become a family tradition for audiences,” said Stage Right Artistic Director Tony Marino. “It is so great at recreating the iconic moments from the movie, while adding something new at the same time.”
“A Christmas Story the Musical” —set in the 1940s in the fictional town of Hohman, Ind., — focuses on a 9-year-old boy, Ralphie Parker, and the one and only gift on his Christmas wish list, an Official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot Range Model air rifle.
Marino, director of the musical again this year, also returns as Jean Shepherd, who narrated and co-scripted the film version of “A Christmas Story.”
Christmas with the family
Marino said the musical “is really about the way it feels to be with family at Christmas. I see people wiping away happy tears and laughing ’til they cry. It’s one of those kinds of shows; I love it.”
Also returning are cast members Savannah Bruno of West Leechburg as Ralphie’s mother, Nick Lenz of Jeannette as The Old Man and Renata Marino of Greensburg as Miss Shields. The role of Ralphie’s younger brother, Randy, is shared again this year by Colton Bruno and Brody Ross.
The role of Ralphie is being portrayed by a newcomer to the “Christmas Story” cast, Kodi Esau of Freeport.
Esau isn’t new to the stage, though, having performed in “Frozen Jr.,” “Into the Woods Jr.” and “Children of Eden” for Stage Right, as well as “Mary Poppins Jr.” for Penn State New Kensington and “Elf Jr.” and “Aladdin Jr.” at Freeport Area Middle School, where he is an eighth-grade student.
“My favorite part about playing Ralphie is that I get to showcase my voice, since it (the music) is located in my range,” he said. “The hardest part would be hitting some of the high notes, though.”
Esau said he feels that families should come and see the show “because it is derived from the movie that most people know and love,” with familiar scenes involving Ralphie’s friend, Flick (played by Alex Serapiglia and Michael Harris) getting his tongue stuck to an icy flag pole, and bullies Scut Farkus (Chas Mrlack and Connor Parente) and Grover Dill (Jordan Keenan and Joey Estok).
“It has content for all ages and is the perfect way to spend a night out with your family,” he said.
