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Regional Reviews: Minneapolis/St. Paul A Christmas Story, the Musical Also see Arthur's reviews of Black Nativity and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
A Christmas Story, the Musica, now having its first regional production at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, has all of these attributes, save one ... softer standards. It is terrific. This musical is top tier entertainment that could hold up well at any time of year. It has an engaging story line, develops characters worth caring about, and features a wonderful original score. What a pleasure to hear great new show tunes that sound unapologetically like show tunes, and are not old standards summoned up from Broadway's legendary composers or a collection of jukebox hits. No wonder A Christmas Story received 2013 Tony nominations for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Musical Score—a rarity for a holiday show. What's more, the Ordway's dazzling production has great performances by both young and old actors, eye-catching costumes and sets, lively choreography, and a sizzling 18-piece pit orchestra led by musical director Jeff Rizzo. This is a wonderful production of a terrific show, holiday or no holiday. Many readers are familiar with A Christmas Story from the 1983 movie directed by Bob Clark, with a screenplay by Clark, Jean Shepherd, and Leigh Brown. The movie was based on sections of Shepherd's novel "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash," a thinly veiled memoir of his 1930s childhood in a small northwest Indiana city. Jean Shepherd, himself, opens the show, greeting us and bringing us back to that earlier time, and remaining on stage as narrator and commentator. We meet young Ralphie, his kid brother Randy, his dad (referred to throughout as "The Old Man"), and his mother. The plot revolves around Ralphie's longing for a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas, a gift he is certain will transform him into a heroic figure like those he reads about in the "Open Road for Boys" magazine. Certain his parents oppose this gift idea, he plots various ways to persuade them ... or if not them, Santa Claus himself. Most of these end with some adult telling him "You'll shoot your eye out!" Intertwined are tangential plot points that are among highlights of the movie: Flick's tongue getting frozen to a flagpole; an award won by The Old Man (the famous leg in fishnet stocking lamp used as the show's logo); Ralphie's unexpected pummeling of the playground bully; a turkey dinner run amuck; and, of course, his visit to Santa in an effort to seal the deal on his BB gun. This might run the risk of becoming episodic, but Joseph Robinette's book along with James A. Rocco's sure direction assure that everything ties back to the looming approach of Christmas and Ralphie's quest. The tangents create a vivid tapestry of a more innocent time and place, making Ralphie's world real and whole. The book by Joseph Robinette is tender-hearted and funny, with witty insights into the perspective of children, and good-natured jabs at the obtuseness of adults. It is funny without a single mean bone. Among the winning songs by rising talents Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, "It All Comes Down to Christmas" is an upbeat and tuneful opening number that introduces the characters and setting; "Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun" captures the heart of Ralphie's desire; and "Ralphie to the Rescue!" unleashes his imagination. The Old Man and Mother each have two turns in the spotlight, his full-production numbers that play upon his vanity ("The Genius of Cleveland Street" and "A Major Award"), while hers are introspective songs that warmly underscore her role as nurturer and peace-maker ("What a Mother Does" and "Just Like That"). Ralphie even gets an eleven o'clock number, "Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana," that perfectly captures the anticipation felt by true-believing children awaiting Santa's arrival. The finale, "A Christmas Story," beautifully wraps the whole evening up in a heartfelt bow. The entire cast is swell. Jake Goodman, as Ralphie, amazes in the acting, song, and dance departments. This is a huge part, and he makes it all work. He is the real deal. Dieter Bierbrauer is great as The Old Man, believably gruff and self-absorbed, yet with a deep love for his family below the veneer. His sings and moves like a musical comedy pro. Billie Wildrick has a less showy part as Mother, but delivers her songs with great heart and in beautiful voice. She is the touchstone for the other family members. James Ciccarelle is aptly adorable and whiny as kid brother Randy. In the role of narrator and guide Jean Shepherd, Gary Briggle establishes a warm presence, reacting to his memories as if they are happening anew for him, and displaying droll humor to keep the proceedings from getting too sappy. One quibble; at the performance I saw, he seemed to stumble over several lines, though that could be taken as the vagaries of aging memory. Erin Schwab, playing Ralphie's teacher, is a delight, a no-nonsense type who is not averse to dramatic flourishes. In her big number "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out," her retort (as imagined by Ralphie) to his essay on why he should receive a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas, she becomes a red hot mama, and milks it for all it's worth. This show has a large number of young performers, and they are wonderful, singly and together. The adult ensemble show up as friends and neighbors, players in Ralphie's fantasies, and other assorted roles. They sound great, and along with their younger counterparts, expertly give shape to Sharon Halley's lively and witty choreography. My only complaint with the cast would be Oliver and Argyle as the Bumpus Hounds—the dogs next door and the bane of The Old Man's existence. Live animals on stage always cause an "ahhh" moment, but these two pooches seemed too sweet and obedient to be the cause of so much havoc. The primary set is the family's Cleveland Street home, and it captures the sentiment, the whimsy, and the era, with great use of color and space. The windows of Higbee's department store are cleverly designed to have the cast looking through the windows at us, and Santa's throne is appropriately garish. Particularly delightful is the family traveling in their car facing the audience with street lights wheeled in on either side to create an avenue on stage. The costumes aptly capture the look and feel of the 1930s, and Ralphie's costume as "Cowboy Ralphie" expresses the joy in a boy's imagination. A Christmas Story, the Musical is an ideal show for anyone, especially families, looking for a new entertainment this holiday season. It is equally a great choice for anyone who wants to just see a terrific musical, season or no season. And, as a bonus, it is an opportunity to experience Benj Pasek and Justin Paul's work—we can expect to be hearing much more from them. At the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts through December 28, 2014. 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN. Tickets from $110.00 -$36.00, $33.00 Standing Room Only. For tickets call 651 224-4222 or visit Ordway.org. Book: Joseph Robinette: Music and Lyrics: Benj Pasek and Justin Paul: Director: James A. Rocco: Choreography: Sharon Halley: Scenic Design: J Branson: Costume Design: Lynda L. Salsbury: Lighting Design: Wm. P. Healey: Sound Design: Zach Williamson: Hair and Make-Up Design: Robert A. Dunn: Props Coordinator: Rick Polenek: Production Manager: Andy Luft: Technical Director: Jason Allyn-Schwerin: Animals Trained by: William Berloni: Music Supervisor: Shawn Gough: Music Director: Charlie Reuter: Orchestrations: Larry Blank: Dance Music Arrangements: Glen Kelly: Vocal Arrangements: Justin Paul: Casting: Reid Harmsen: Scenery and Props Constructed by: Penumbra Theatre Scenic Shop Cast: Jack Ahern (Waiter), Carter Bannwarth (Schwartz), Dieter Bierbrauer (The Old Man), Gary Briggle (Jean Shepherd), James Ciccarelle (Randy), Mario Esteb (Grover Dill), Jake Goodman (Ralphie), Hope Nordquist (Waitress), Carl Schoenborn (Santa Claus), Erin Schwab (Miss Shields), Austene Van (Flick's Mother), Billie Wildrick (Mother) Neighborhood Children: Olivia Lyn Coon, Amasia Gordon, Annie c. Hoffman, Lillie Horeton, Olivia Huber, Sophia Huber, Gavin Kimmel, Madeline Ann Sundheim Elves: Lisa Bartholomew-Given, Reid Harmsen, Linda Talcott Lee Neighbors and Friends: Jack Ahern, Lisa Bartholomew-Given, Jennifer Eckes, Larissa Gritti, Michael Gruber, Reid Harmsen, Suzie Juul, Nike Kadri, Brad Madison, Julianne Mundale, Hope Nordquist, Aha Parham, Kersten Rodau, Jack Romans, Randy Schmeling, Carl Schoenborn, Rudolph Searles III, Linda Talcott Lee, Brent Teclaw, Austene Van, Tony Vierling.
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