7th Grade Winner of Anti-Bullying Writing Contest to Appear in A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL!, 12/27

A Christmas Story, The Musical and STOMP Out Bullying have announced the Grand Prize winner of their Anti-Bullying Writing Competition, Ahmed Shayef. A 7th Grader at M.S. 577 in Brooklyn, Ahmed has won a walk-on role in the Thursday evening, December 27 performance of A Christmas Story, The Musical.

Earlier this month, middle school students in the Tri-State area were invited to submit essays about how bullying has affected their life, about a bullying incident they might have witnessed, or about a personal strategy for avoiding bullies in their school or neighborhood.

2nd place winner, Tatiana Mandis and 3rd place winner, Sophie Watwood, have both won tickets to see A Christmas Story, The Musical with a backstage tour following the performance in the final week of its engagement at Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne theatre. The runners up for the contest were Aima Anwar, Nia Augustine, Sophia Baluyut, Gwyenth Bernier and Aubrienne, Billy Greenwood, Matthew Lubera, Jayda Medina, Alexis Pauli, Christina Stearns and Jocelyn Tang.

A Christmas Story, The Musical arrived on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre just in time for the 2012 holiday season. Based on the 1983 movie perennial, the musical ends its limited eight-week limited engagement December 30. Tickets are now on sale at www.AChristmasStoryTheMuscial.com or www.TicketMaster.com.

A Christmas Story, The Musical stars Dan Lauria (Broadway's Lombardi, TV's "Sullivan & Son" and "The Wonder Years") as Jean Shepherd, John Bolton (Spamalot, Contact, Titanic) as The Old Man, Tony Award nominee Erin Dilly (Nice Work if You Can Get It, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Mother, Johnny Rabe as Ralphie, Zac Ballard as little brother Randy, Caroline O'Connor (Chicago, Moulin Rouge) as school teacher Miss Shields, Eddie Korbich (The Little Mermaid, The Drowsy Chaperone, Wicked) as Santa Claus and Joe West plays Ralphie at certain performances. The ensemble features Tia Altinay, John Babbo, Charissa Bertels, Grace Capeless, Zoe Considine, Andrew Cristi, Mathew deGuzman, Thay Floyd, George Franklin, Nick Gaswirth, Mark Ledbetter, Jose Luaces, Jack Mastrianni, Mara Newbery, Alexa Niziak, Lindsay O'Neil, Sarah Min-Kyung Park, J.D. Rodriguez, Analise Scarpaci, Lara Seibert, Jeremy Shinder, Luke Spring, Kirsten Wyatt, and Pete and Lily as the rambunctious Bumpus Hounds.

America's #1 holiday movie came to hilarious life onstage when A Christmas Story, The Musical launched a tour in 2011 that culminated in a critically successful run in Chicago. The musical features a bright holiday score by composer/lyricist team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and a witty book by Joseph Robinette based on the writings of radio humorist Jean Shepherd and the 1983 holiday film favorite. Tony Award winner John Rando (Urinetown) directs the production with Warren Carlyle (Chaplin, Follies, An Evening With Hugh Jackman) choreographing.

A Christmas Story, The Musical features scenic design by Walt Spangler; costume design by Elizabeth Hope Clancy; lighting design by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley; sound design by Ken Travis; wig design by Tom Watson; animal training by Tony Honor recipient for Excellence in Theatre William Berloni; orchestrations by Tony nominee Larry Blank; music direction and supervision by Ian Eisendrath; associate choreographer is James Gray; dance music arrangements by Glen Kelly; vocal arrangements by Justin Paul; and casting by Stephanie Klapper CSA.

The story from a cherished movie classic that's enchanted millions is now a musical spectacular. In 1940's Indiana, a bespectacled boy named Ralphie has a big imagination and one wish for Christmas-a Red Ryder BB Gun. A kooky leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a cranky department store Santa, and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the obstacles that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas dream. Co-produced by the film's original Ralphie, Peter Billingsley, A Christmas Story, The Musical is holiday entertainment that captures a simpler time in America with delicious wit and a heart of gold.

A Christmas Story, The Musical is produced by Gerald Goehring, Roy Miller, Michael F. Mitri, Pat Flicker Addiss, Peter Billingsley, Timothy Laczynski, Mariano Tolentino, Louise H. Beard, Michael Filerman, Scott Hart, Alison Eckert, Bob Bartner, Michael Jenkins, Angela Milonas, Bradford W. Smith.

Celebrating the arrival of A Christmas Story: The Musical on Broadway, Masterworks Broadway has released the World Premiere Recording of the delightful family-friendly musical both digitally and on CD.

A Christmas Story, The Musical is based upon the motion picture A Christmas Story© 1983 Turner Entertainment Co., distributed by Warner Bros., written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark, and In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash written by Jean Shepherd. A Christmas Story, The Musical is produced with permission of Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Inc. and Dalfie Entertainment, Inc.

STOMP Out Bullying is the leading national anti-bullying and cyberbullying organization for kids and teens in the U.S. Created in 2005, STOMP Out Bullying focuses on reducing and preventing bullying, cyberbullying, sexting and other digital abuse, educating against homophobia, racism and hatred, decreasing school absenteeism, and deterring violence in schools, online and in communities across the country. It teaches effective solutions on how to respond to all forms of bullying; as well as educating kids and teens in school and online, providing help for those in need and at risk of suicide, raising awareness, peer mentoring programs in schools, public service announcements by noted celebrities, and social media campaigns.

Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg