Well-loved film gets modest stage revival at Steel Beam
"A Christmas Story" didn't exactly rake in a sleigh full of cash when it opened just before Thanksgiving in 1983. Despite critics' praise, the film based on Jean Shepherd's semi-autobiographical short-story collection: "In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash," earned modest returns at the box office. By Christmas of that year it had disappeared from many theaters. By January it had vanished entirely.
But only a Grinch would call this sleeper a bomb. A coming-of-age tale with wry humor that keeps it from becoming overly sentimental, "A Christmas Story" is a charming snapshot of a bygone time when fathers drove Oldsmobiles; mothers washed away obscenities with a family-size bar of Lifebuoy, and children still believed in Santa.
In the 24 years since its release, director Bob Clark's film has evolved into a holiday classic thanks to video, DVD and cable's TBS, which reruns the movie continuously for 24 hours beginning at 7 p.m. Dec. 24.
This year, Steel Beam Theatre offers an alternative to the marathon in the form of an earnest, albeit modestly successful, production of Philip Grecian's faithful stage adaptation from 2000.
Set in the 1940s, in a mid-size Indiana city, "A Christmas Story" is a memory play, narrated by the garrulous Ralph, Shepherd's middle-aged alter-ego, deftly played by Daniel A. Scurek. The play unfolds as a series of vignettes involving his 9-year-old self, Ralphie Parker (Jordan Graber); his furnace-obsessed Old Man (Brian Feutz); understanding mother (Kathy Jaffer); and quirky younger brother Randy (David Nichol, who alternates with Dylan Mondi).
The story centers on Ralphie's efforts to get a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Convinced that he'll shoot his eye out, his mother rejects the request. But Ralphie perseveres, enlisting help from his unwitting teacher (Jeanne Scurek) and a beleaguered department store Santa (Jim Oberg, who does a nice job in several supporting roles).
Rounding out the cast is Joshua Akerlow, poised as Ralphie's friend Schwartz; Pip Triggs as the hapless Flick; Giacomo Favia as the bully Farkas; Christina Zaeske channeling Charlie Brown's sister Sally as lovesick Esther Jane (a role she splits with Emily DeFelice-Curran); and teacher's pet Helen (Tori Sperber, who alternates with Ellie Feldsien).
Most of the film's memorable scenes -- the triple-dog dare that fixes Flick's tongue to the flag pole; Ralphie's unsuccessful visit to Santa (nicely re-created by director Charlie Brieger); and the assault on the family's Christmas turkey by the neighbor's dogs (whimsically staged by Brieger) -- remain.
Unfortunately -- with the exception of the engaging Scurek, who captures perfectly the tone and cadence of Shepherd's wry prose -- the production doesn't measure up to the film. The pacing is slow and some of the acting lacks polish. Cast members frequently seem hesitant and fail to pick up the cues as briskly as they should, making the show, especially the longish first act, feel sluggish.
"A Christmas Story"
Two stars out of four
Location: Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles
Times: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays; through Dec. 23
Running Time: About two hours, including intermission
Tickets: $25, $23
Parking: Free, but construction makes for limited street parking
Box office: (630) 587-8521 or www.steelbeamtheatre.com
Rating: For all ages