Based on the beloved film, A Christmas Story: The Musical, tells the story of Ralphie, a nine-year old boy living in Hohman, Indiana, and a particularly memorable Christmas, that in retrospect was something of a watershed. Ralphie lives with his younger brother Randy, and his Mom and Dad, in a two-story home. His dad, always referred to as “The Old Man,” is personable, when he’s not grousing about the furnace, the neighbor dogs or the car. Ralphie’s Mom is kind and patient, though she’s not above yelling to get the boys off to school. Randy perpetually refuses to eat at supper time, and exists, pretty much, for the purpose of comic relief
At this particular Christmas Season, Ralphie wants nothing more than The Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle, but all the grownups respond with the same rejoinder: “You’ll shoot your eye out!” (Wouldn’t it be somebody else’s eye?) Said rifle captures his boyhood imagination in a big way; Ralphie’s convinced it would be the solution to all his woes. Such is the Holy Grail he strives to secure throughout the show. Along the way, Ralphie’s dad wins a hideous lamp after repeatedly entering a crossword puzzle contest. Fashioned after a woman’s leg (in fishnet stocking and stiletto heels) Mom is none too pleased by Dad’s “Major Award”. Ralphie must also contend with bullies, a demanding teacher and an apathetic department store Santa. Along the way he learns some genuine, reflective life lessons.
A Christmas Story: The Musical seems to be an odd (yet effective) combination of disillusionment, caricature and quirky detail. Ralphie’s flights of fancy (and one of The Old Man’s) are highlighted by over-the-top, satirical musical numbers, choreographed and timed to get maximum effect from Ralphie’s extravagant imagination. Repeatedly, though, opportunities that come his way are shattered by cruel reality. When he gets a chance to help his dad change a tire, he winds up getting punished for using an obscenity. When he stands up to a bully, he worries he’s in hot water for pummeling the kid. The paper he’s certain will net him an A +++, only gets him a C +, and the familiar BB Gun rebuke. His optimism is boundless, but the rest of the world refuses to cooperate.
The musical version of A Christmas Story seems to gloss over some weaknesses of the film. Christmas entertainment has presented a quandary for ages. Either we get the same stories with nothing to keep them fresh and invigorating, or new ones that feel lame and contrived. I think maybe A Christmas Story has caught on, because it relinquishes a lot of the tropes we expect from Yuletide Narratives. It’s unconventional. There’s a fair dose of skepticism, no clear heroes or villains, behavior we recognize from everyday experience. The dad swears (though what we hear is gibberish). The teacher’s a pain, but not a monster. The unwanted gift Ralphie receives from his crazy aunt is a silly pink bunny suit. The disappointments are there, but none of it is played for pathos. It’s not really suffused with enchantment, but maybe that makes it more accessible (for some) than the realms of nutcrackers, matchgirls and Magi needing a room for the night.
AT&T Performing Arts Center presents A Christmas Story: The Musical, playing through Sunday, December 16th, 2018. Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora St, Dallas, Texas 75201. 214-880-0202. www.attpac.org