“A Christmas Story ” On Stage

The Cult Classic movie ” A Christmas Story” (1983) is on stage in a small theater in Bedford (MA?). This has got to be one of my very favorite Christmas movies. The director of the play feels it may be a little “ambitious,” but wants to create laughs for the public while at the same time have children be in good roles. The kids are all amateurs; only 4 of the 15 kids have ever been on stage. The director is hoping that the seasoned actors will balance it all out.

“A Christmas Story” has become one of those movies you just got to watch during Christmas. Directed by Bob Clark and based on a novel by Jean Sheppard is a hilarious story of a little boy name Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) growing up in the ’40′s. It’s Christmas and all Ralphie wants is a Red Ryder Ranger Model Air Rifle, aka BB gun.

The greatest thing about this movie is all the kid stories in it. Everyone can relate to this movie. It will take you down memory lane. You know, the time you were a kid and maybe did a lot of what Ralphie and his buds did or worse. The most memorable scene is one when one of Ralphie’s friends is dared to lick a pole on a day that seems to be 10 degrees below zero. Poor kid’s tongue gets stuck to the pole. Another funny scene is when Ralphie swears in front of his old man and the greatest scene is one when Ralphie finally beats up the bully that was on him like white on rice. And how can we forget that beautiful leg lamp? There is just scene after scene of the funny things kids do.

Melina Dillion as the mom is too, too funny and Darren McGavin as the dad is unforgettable. This is one movie to add to your Christmas movies to watch–it’s right up there with “It’s A Wonderful Life.” It’s warm and fuzzy story.

From the sound of the challenges the director has in putting this wonderful movie on stage, it will be undoubtedly, doubly funny, don’t you think?