By Shari Barrett
A Christmas Story, The Musical premiered on Broadway in 2012 and was a critical and commercial success, including being nominated for three Tony Awards including Best New Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Book of a Musical. It features a score by composer/lyricist team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, with a book by Joseph Robinette, based on the writings of radio humorist Jean Shepherd and the 1983 holiday film favorite.
Presented as a memory story narrated by Jean Shepherd (Chris Carsten) on radio station WOR in New York City, A Christmas Story, The Musical set in 1940s Indiana chronicling the young and bespectacled Ralphie Parker (Charlie Stover on the night I attended) as he schemes his way toward the holiday gift of his dreams – an official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. He cannot be dissuaded, even when every adult and Santa himself warns Ralphie that “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!” Ralphie’s desire to feel like the famous cowboys he has seen on the big screen, riding out with their trusty rifles tucked into their saddlebags or taking on any bad guys invading his town, fuels his dreams of a more fulfilling and fun life.
For those familiar with movie, of course there is that infamous leg lamp, Ralphie’s outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa, a middle-school teacher who surprises you with her hidden talents, and a triple-dog-dare-you to lick a freezing flagpole. But those are just a few of the distractions that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas gift wish. And along the way, we are treated to wonderfully staged big production numbers sung from the viewpoint of not only Ralphie but his parents, teacher, and his friends and enemies. And let me tell you, those young actors can really sing and dance up a storm!
Perhaps the cutest scenes included two large dogs running across the stage while chasing Ralphie’s father into his house (a striking moveable set piece), or invading the Parker home on Christmas and eating the turkey right off the table! And one of those dogs really went to town on that bird, making it necessary to literally pull him off the stage!
Chock-full of delightful songs and splashy production numbers, A Christmas Story, The Musical centers on not only Ralphie’s heart’s desire but also on the importance of family, with parents loving and guiding their children into becoming model citizens, despite the obstacles. Given the audience’s reaction on the night I attended, no doubt this musical has proudly taken its place as a perennial holiday classic for the whole family.
The entire 26-member cast is to be commended for sharing their extraordinary talent as well as the joy of life in small-town America when your family really was at the center of everything in your life. And given the festive family and friends holiday-themed storyline, there is little doubt A Christmas Story, The Musical will become a new holiday tradition. The special Ahmanson production mounted just for Los Angeles is directed by Matt Lenz, and was originally directed on Broadway by John Rando and choreographed by Warren Carlyle. The associate choreographer is Brooke Martino with musical supervision and direction by Andrew Smithson.
A Christmas Story, The Musical runs through December 31 on Tuesday through Friday evenings at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sundays at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets starting at $40 are available at CenterTheatreGroup.org. Tickets are available through CenterTheatreGroup.org, Audience Services at (213) 972-4400 or in person at the Center Theatre Group Box Offices (at the Ahmanson Theatre) at The Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012.
There is a rich history of Jewish composers and lyricists, from Irving Berlin to Mel Tormé, who became denizens of New York City’s Tin Pan Alley where they honed their musical skills to appeal to all Americans. Many of those Jewish songwriters went on to create hit songs that have become beloved holiday anthems. And now, the World Premiere of OY! To the World ~ Christmas with a Twist! showcases these brilliant songwriters who helped shape the music of the Christmas season, with each iconic tune capturing the spirit of the Yuletide season with a Yiddish twist.
The musical written by Gregory Thirloway and Maurice Godin, directed by Maurice Godin and choreographed by Jeffrey Polk, with musical arrangements and direction by Gerald Sternbach, features well-known hits that have become beloved Christmas standards like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”, “White Christmas”, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, “Santa Baby”, “The Christmas Song”, “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”, “Oh Holy Night,” and many more, Each song is performed by the stellar cast with a real reverence to the days when the Catskills were the place to be at Christmas time – especially if you were Jewish!
Acting as the host of this new musical comedy is Shelly Abrams (portrayed to Catskills perfection by Jay Brian Winnick whose resemblance to Buddy Hackett perfectly matched the storyline) who has inherited a shuttered Catskills lodge. He has high hopes of bringing it back with a big holiday show, like the ones his Grandparents used to stage. Throughout the 90-minute musical, his fond childhood memories of holiday celebrations at the lodge, which mixed Hanukkah with other traditions, brought the focus of Peace on Earth for everyone into clear focus.
To assist with the celebration to raise renovation funds, Shelly has gathered his three most talented friends from The Big Apple (glorious soprano Kelley Dorney as the appropriately named Joy, Tonoccus McClain as Marcus whose incredible rendition of “Oh, Holy Night” was a real showstopper, and Yamuna Meleth who added her own special sparkle thanks to costume designer Shon LeBlanc), and Chris (Gerald Sternbach), an ageless accompanist that came with the place. When Chris shared a memorable yellow fedora with the entremetiers, it inspired Yiddish humor from Catskills days past. Together they created a mix of cultures to recreate the warmth, love, and laughter that once filled the hall – and will again!
OY! To the World ~ Christmas with a Twist! is a 90-minute, no intermission joyous musical comedy offering a walk down memory lane with great Catskills humor and all the wonderful holiday music everyone knows and loves. Performances continue through December 23 on Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., and Saturday at 3 p.m. at the historic El Portal Theatre, 5369 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood 91601. Tickets run $35-$69, available by calling 818-508-4200 or online at www.elportaltheatre.com
