“A Christmas Story the Musical” is a happy adaptation of a classic holiday story. It’s at Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany until December 27 and should make your holidays a little brighter.
It’s a couple of hours of light-hearted fun that revolves about the story of a youth, Ralphie, who wants a Red Ryder B.B. gun for Christmas. No one thinks he’s responsible enough to own the toy gun and he does he best to scheme, whine and beg to anyone who’ll listen in order to obtain the treasure.
The story is best known as a film, created in 1983 which was assembled from autobiographical stories told by Jean Shepherd on his radio show.
Now it’s a musical which adds a lot of fun to a very familiar story by expanding the personality of the characters. Thankfully little tampering is done.
What makes the material work is the characters are lovable types found in every family and the stories are trigger moments. We all had a friend who might stick his tongue to a cold pipe, bullies were everywhere, who didn’t have a relative who gave a gift we hated but had to wear, and at one time or another we’ve all had a bad Santa experience. Set in 1940s the show is nostalgic but still relevant. That’s because, essentially the work is about family.
What makes the show work is that the musical numbers adds freshness and the dances add energy. Indeed, the Capital Rep production finds most of the fun of the film and adds entertainment with some fine singing and excellent dancing. Played on a brightly colored set, the portrayals are broad giving the work an almost comic book feel. Remarkable this is done without diminishing the affection the audience must have for the characters.
The cast is excellent in staying true to the peoples we know in the movie. Gary Lindemann is terrific as the old man. He is able to be comic as the gruff father who is always frustrated by events of everyday life – like furnaces that always break and neighbor’s dogs who always annoy. He is a delight as he revels in his award from a crossword puzzle contest– a beyond-tacky lamp in the shape of a woman’s leg. His number “The Genius of Cleveland Street” is a great example of how music can make a favorite scene even better.
The thread of the stories in the narrator who represents a middle-aged Ralphie (aka Jean Shepherd). Kilty Ready gives the character a gentle sincerity that is important as we see the events through his eyes. Ready is especially effective as an observer who appears to be re-living the experiences with great fondness.
The role of the mother is also given more depth through music. Julia Burrows is the show’s secret weapon as the seemingly submissive woman who actually runs the house. Her acting makes it clear she is a practical woman who is driven by love of family. Her songs “What a Mother Does” and “Just Like That” brings an emotional depth to her and to the story.
There are several production numbers that add excitement to the proceedings. The show stopper is the tap dancing number “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out,” led by Kara Mikula who plays a very funny Miss Shields. “Ralphie to the Rescue,” a fantasy number that proves Ralphie would be a super hero if he had the B.B. gun and the first act finale are energetic numbers intricately choreographed by Freddy Ramirez. While fun, they make you wish Capital Rep’s stage were larger so you could appreciate the dance rather than concentrate on the skill it takes for so many dancers not to knock each other over.
A joy of the show is seeing so many talented local kids doing such top-notch work. Oliver Nathanielsz creates a likeable Ralphie (Jake Goodman plays the role on alternate nights). Ethan Klein finds the comedy in the spoiled Randy, especially when he takes such delight in cleaning his plate.
Director Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill finds the essence of the material and the characters, and yet grants the actors the freedom to be creative. As a traffic director, she moves the many scene changes swiftly and efficiently while incorporating song and dance into the action.
Most of all Mancinelli-Cahill as Cap Rep’s Producing Artistic Director provides the community with a happy holiday entertainment that is perfect for the entire family,
“A Christmas Story the Musical” at Capital Repertory Theatre through December 27. Performances Tuesdays-Sundays. 445-7469 or capitalrep.org
Bob Goepfert is the arts editor for the Troy Record.
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