Theatre Review: “A Christmas Story, The Musical” is a delightful mix of laughs, heart, and memorable music in Los Angeles
The 1983 film “A Christmas Story” is an annual holiday viewing staple for many families around the world. These days, it feels like any and every popular movie has been turned into a stage musical. Although it’s easy to roll your eyes at the concept, “A Christmas Story, The Musical” is the perfect combination of paying homage to the film we know and love while also standing on its own two feet. An impressive feat with just one leg (lamp).
The story takes place in the 1940s. Our narrator reminisces and shares the tale of his greatest Christmas ever, when all he wanted was a Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun. For a young boy, this wasn’t the easiest request as nearly every adult in his life warned him, “You’ll shoot your eye out.”
If you’re familiar with the film, you probably remember the narrator (original author Jean Shepherd) as a disembodied voice. One of the first changes between the film and stage production you’ll notice is how the narrator appears on stage. The show is bookended with him sitting behind a microphone in a radio studio telling his tale. Throughout the musical he’ll pop in and out of scenes adding to the events happening on stage. I personally love this change as it immediately sets it apart from the movie.
The lyrics, music, and arrangements are written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, better known as Pasik & Paul. The two have written unforgettable songs for projects including “Dear Evan Hansen,” “La La Land,” and “The Greatest Showman.” They’ve done the same for “A Christmas Story, The Musical.” I double dog dare anyone to leave this musical without humming the melodies of “It All Comes Down to Christmas,” “Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun,” or “When You’re a Wimp.” There’s not a weak song in the entire score and the signature memorable melodies of Pasek & Paul remain strong.
When turning a film into a musical, one of the biggest hurdles can be figuring out where to place the music. In the case of “A Christmas Story,” we often see our protagonist Ralphie’s inner thoughts. These dreamlike sequences are wonderfully expanded into big musical numbers in the stage show.
So much of the comedy from the film, whether it’s Schwartz getting his tongue stuck to a flagpole or Randy struggling to keep his arms down in bulky winter gear, is present in the musical. But much of the comedy is heightened. A perfect example is the musical number “A Major Award.”
The Old Man, as the father is lovingly referred to, has a show stopping number where he celebrates his major award of the now iconic Leg Lamp. The idea of a Leg Lamp is funny enough. But just imagine a chorus of dancers and singers using the Leg Lamp props to create a kick line worthy of The Rockettes.
With so much comedy in the musical, it’s sometimes easy to forget how touching the story can be. The original piece of literature and film are both quite moving. When you look past the laughs, you find a somewhat dysfunctional family (as we all have) who love each other a tremendous amount. If there’s one thing I would like to see more of in the musical, it’s allowing the breathing room for more of these moments.
That’s not to say those moments don’t exist at all. But I found myself sometimes wanting to sit in the moment instead of immediately going for the next laugh. Toward the end of the story when (1983 spoiler alert) Ralphie’s dream Christmas gift is unwrapped, it’s a big moment. The unwrapping is big. The reaction is big. And then we get a reprise of the big musical number “Ralphie to the Rescue.”
As an audience member, I would prefer to feel the weight of that moment. Toward the end of the show specifically, I didn’t really want to laugh anymore. I wanted to feel the way our narrator would have as he relived these memories. As a touching and heartwarming moment of the past.
The young and adult cast members are all fantastic. There’s not a weak one in the bunch. But there are a couple of standout performers who I couldn’t stop watching whenever they were on stage.
Eric Petersen plays the role of The Old Man, famously portrayed in the film by Darren McGavin. What I love about Petersen’s performance is that he made it his own. Although I personally love McGavin’s performance in the film, I never missed it or wished Petersen had leaned into some of the more iconic line readings (of which there are many by The Old Man). It’s a tough role to play as the character is often portrayed as disgruntled and “cursing” up a storm, but we as an audience need to see how much he loves his family. Petersen portrays both sides of the role perfectly.
The other standout performance for me was that of young Henry Wichter who plays younger brother Randy. Every move Wichter makes looks effortless and organic. It felt as though there was no “performance” happening. Wichter is Randy, and Randy is an absolute delight. Even when Randy wasn’t the focus of a scene, I kept finding myself focusing on his small moments to the side. There are some great moments that happen between Petersen and Wichter where I simply thought to myself, please put these two in a sitcom together.
“A Christmas Story, The Musical” deserves to be a holiday tradition in the same way regional theatres annually produce adaptations of “A Christmas Carol” or “The Nutcracker.” I would personally love to see this musical return to Los Angeles every year so I could make it part of my holiday tradition. Given the way the packed house was responding on opening night, and the immediate standing ovation delivered as soon as the show ended, I think a lot of L.A. locals would love this tradition as well.
But there’s another reason I want to see it performed annually by the same production company. Given the nature of a holiday run production, you have limited time to make a profit. This is a big musical with lots of different locations and production numbers. Although an admirable job is done, I would love to see a larger investment in the scenic and lighting design of the show.
If a theatre company were to commit to “A Christmas Story, The Musical” for several years, perhaps such an investment wouldn’t be so scary if they could make their money back over multiple holiday seasons. In my humble opinion, this musical deserves to become as iconic as the film and I hope that as many people get to see it as possible.
As one of the lyrics in the show goes, “The moment comes. The moment goes. And just like that, the moment’s gone.” Don’t let this moment pass you. Get yourself to The Ahmanson Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles and see this Christmas story in a way you never have before or you’ll surely declare “Oh fudge!” for missing the opportunity.
“A Christmas Story, The Musical” is playing now through December 31, 2023. Tickets are available at CenterTheatreGroup.org. Get them now before they’re gone
Jeff DePaoli is a producer and voiceover artist living in Los Angeles. He can be heard as the voice of Disney Trivia on Alexa as well as the host of “Dizney Coast to Coast,” the ultimate, unofficial Disney fan podcast. Get your FREE gifts of “America’s Hidden Mickeys,” “On the Rohde Again,” “Theme Park Comfort Kit” and more at DizneyCoastToCoast.com. DePaoli’s opinions are his own and do not necessarily represent Attractions Magazine.
