A CHRISTMAS STORY Plays Fox Cities P.A.C., Now thru 11/23

This holiday season, for the first time in the Fox Cities, one of America's favorite Christmas movies comes to life live-on-stage in a hilarious, large scale Broadway musical, at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center tonight, Nov. 18-23.

A Christmas Story, The Musical chronicles young and bespectacled Ralphie Parker as he schemes his way toward the holiday gift of his dreams, an official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle ("You'll shoot your eye out kid!") An infamous leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa, and a double-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the distractions that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas wish. Chock-full of delightful songs and splashy production numbers, A Christmas Story, The Musical, following its smash hit Broadway run, has proudly taken its place as a perennial holiday classic for the whole family.

A Christmas Story, The Musical premiered on Broadway in 2012 and was a critical and commercial success. The musical was nominated for three TONY Awards including Best New Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Book of a Musical The Associated Press called A Christmas Story, The Musical "a joyous Christmas miracle," while The New York Times wrote "I was dazzled. You'd have to have a Grinch-sized heart not to feel a smile spreading across your face."

A Christmas Story, The Musical features a festive and nostalgic holiday themed score by composer/lyricist team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, with a book by Joseph Robinette, based on the writings of radio humorist Jean Shepherd and the 1983 holiday film favorite. The 2012 Broadway production was originally directed by John Rando and the new national tour direction will be by Matt Lenz. TONY Award winner Warren Carlyle' s Broadway choreography will be reset for the tour by Jason Sparks. Scenery, costumes and lighting will be based on the Broadway designs by Walt Spangler, Elizabeth Hope Clancy and Howell Binkley, with the new concepts for the national tour created by Mike Carnahan, Lisa Zinni and Charlie Morrison respectively. The hounds will play themselves.

The performance schedule for A Christmas Story, The Musical is Tuesday through Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Claire Coggins, a 10 year-old from Appleton, was selected during the children's auditions to appear in a walk-on role opening night, Nov. 18.

Tickets for A Christmas Story, The Musical start at $43 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at the Fox Cities P.A.C. ticket office in person or by calling (920) 730-3760 or through Ticketmaster online and phone at (800) 982-2787. Groups of 10 or more can order tickets and save by calling (920) 730-3786. Additional fees may apply.

A Christmas Story, The Musical is locally supported by Oshkosh Corporation Foundation and is part of the Kimberly-Clark Broadway Across America- Fox Cities Series, which is supported by the title sponsor, Kimberly-Clark Corporation.

A Christmas Story, The Musical is produced by Big League Productions. Led by President and Executive Producer Daniel Sher, Big League is celebrating its 26th season of producing, general managing and booking Broadway musicals and special attractions for touring throughout North America and the world. For more information visit bigleague.org.

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