‘A Christmas Story’ as a live musical
Sonoma Arts Live presents a timeless classic to celebrate the holidays: A Christmas Story, The Musical. And like a bow on a gift under the tree, there’s a special twist… a live musical score.
The show will run for three weekends, December 6-22, on the Rotary Stage in Andrews Hall at the Sonoma Community Center.
The original A Christmas Story is a TV staple at holiday time. Adding the musical element for the stage show are lyricist and composer, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, known for their Tony Award-nominated Dear Evan Hanson score on Broadway.
Just like the classic movie and the play, the musical version is set in the 1940s fictional town of Hohman, Indiana. The audience joins nine-year-old Ralphie Parker on his quest for the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts: a Red Ryder BB gun.
Larry Miller directs the Sonoma production. “A Christmas Story has found its way into our family Christmas every year since we first discovered it – the story of a boy who so desperately wants a BB gun for Christmas, only to be thwarted every step of the way,” he says. “There are memorable gifts that we all keep in our thoughts for the rest of our lives. It’s a story that every one of us can relate to in one way or another!”
Williams recently co-directed the hit original musical Merman’s Apprentice and starred as Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady.
Music direction is by Cat Austin, who has directed Cabaret and The Full Monty on the Rotary Stage; choreography is by Lissa Ferreira.
The cast includes Tuolumne Bunter as the ever-hopeful Ralphie and Joseph Atchley as his finicky brother, Randy. The narrator is played by George Bereschik, Rick Love is the Old Man, and Morgan Harrington plays the long-suffering mother. ScharyPearl Fugitt plays Ralphie’s school teacher, Miss Shields. Marco Perez plays Flick, Mario Alioto is Grover Dill, Reina Gibbs is Esther Jane, Ty Schoeningh is bully Scut Farkus, Colter Martin plays buddy Schwartz, and Evie Goodwin plays Mary Beth.
The ensemble includes Indiana Atchley, RoyAnne Florence, JT Harper, Valerie Henderson, Ron Lam, Sue Martin, Giana Rosetti, Jerome Sadhu Jr., Jason Soares, and Peri Zoe Yildirim-Stanley.
Opening night is Friday, December 6, with a special reception featuring nationally known pianist John Partridge on the keyboards playing holiday carols, with a signature cocktail, nibbles and holiday treats. Join Sonoma Arts Live for the reception at 7 p.m. in the Rotary Lounge. Show time is 8 p.m.
All other evening performances begin at 7:30, with matinees at 2 p.m. December 6-22. Andrews Hall, Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St. $25-$42. Sonomaartslive.org
Cover photo of kids by Janis Snyder. Other photos by Miller Oberlin Photography.
