Put heartwarming 'Christmas Story' on holiday to-do list
Late in the second act during Thursday's performance of the altogether charming “A Christmas Story, The Musical!” a slight case of giggles threatened to overtake Clarke Hallum — the exceptional young singer/actor who stars as 9-year-old Ralphie — and Matthew Lewis, who plays his younger brother.
The youngsters managed to keep the giggles in check, revealing themselves to be consummate pros even as they remained consummate kids.
The ingenuous performances of the charismatic Hallum and his co-stars are among the reasons director John Rando's witty, affectionate snapshot of postwar Middle America works as well as it does. The child performers in particular are absolutely genuine. There's nothing precocious about Halllum's endearing Ralphie, whose preoccupation with a Red Ryder BB gun propels the story; or Lewis' tag-along sibling, Randy; Nicholas Daniel Gonzalez's defiant Flick, of the famed flagpole incident; or Charlie Plummer's bullying Farkus and his pint-size henchman Dill, played with attitude by John Francis Babbo.
The same thing applies to the sentiment that underscores this spun-sugar tale about a Hammond, Indiana, family during the weeks leading up to Christmas, 1940. There's nothing cloying about the show, which tempers its sweetness with a dash of bitter to remind us that neither families — nor holidays for that matter — are perfect. But that doesn't diminish our affection for the loved ones, or the fondness for the memories they helped make.
Speaking of fond memories, fans of director Bob Clark's beloved 1983 film will be happy to know Joseph Robinette's gently humorous book faithfully recalls the movie, adapted by Clark, Leigh Brown and humorist Jean Shepherd from Shepherd's semi-autobiographical book, “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash.”
Unfolding on Walt Spangler's fanciful, snow globe inspired set, “A Christmas Story” is framed by a radio broadcast in which host Shepherd (played with wry amusement by master storyteller Gene Weygandt) recalls for his audience the story of his most memorable Christmas, accompanied by spot on sound effects from Foley artist Nick Gaswirth.
Rando's cast is top-notch. An exceptional singer, Hallum is terrific as Shepherd's alter-ego Ralphie. John Bolton is both funny and touching as the likably gruff Old Man, who is as obsessed with entering contests as his son is with BB guns. The lovely Rachel Bay Jones plays Mother with a combination of maternal compassion and iron resolve. The supporting cast includes Arlington Heights native Karen Mason as Ralphie's teacher Miss Shields. Mason delivers a knockout performance of “You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!” a number that sounds like it was tailor made for the cabaret chanteuse and Broadway veteran. Marriott and Drury Lane veteran Adam Pelty also deserves mention as the weary department store Santa Claus in the jolly number “Up on Santa's Lap.”
The pleasing, perky score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul includes several merry musical numbers including the whimsical “A Major Award,” a delight that features dancing lamps and the endearing, imaginative cowboy fantasy “Ralphie to the Rescue!”
Pasek and Paul also know their way around a ballad, as evidenced by the heartfelt “Just Like That,” beautifully sung by Jones.
The show stumbles briefly in its politically incorrect caricatures and a puzzling approach to Mason's number which casts her as the Wicked Witch of the West. But those are minor flubs in Rando's crisp, utterly joyful “Story” — a hearty, homespun holiday treat.
“A Christmas Story, The Musical”
★ ★ ★ ½
<b>Location:</b> Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com
<b>Showtimes: </b>Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 3 and 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 22, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday Dec. 23, at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 24, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 26, at 3 and 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 27, at 3 and 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 29, at 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, Dec. 30, at 3 and 7:30 p.m.
<b>Running time:</b> Two hours 20 minutes, with intermission
<b>Tickets: </b>$35-$79
<b>Parking: </b>Pay lots nearby
<b>Rating: </b>Suitable for most audiences