BWW Flashback: A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL! Closes on Broadway Today

Christmas Story, The Musical! arrived on Broadway at The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre just in time for the 2012 holiday season. The new musical, based on the 1983 movie perennial, began November 7, opened November 19, and runs through today, December 30, 2012. BroadwayWorld takes you on a flashback through the new musical's beginning on Broadway with photos and video!

Johnny Rabe stars as Ralphie, John Bolton (Spamalot, Contact, Titanic, "Boardwalk Empire," "Gossip Girl') reprises his acclaimed performance as The Old Man from the 2011 National Tour. Joining Bolton are Tony Award nominee Erin Dilly (Nice Work if You Can Get It, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Mother, Zac Ballard (Oliver! at Irish Repertory Theatre) as little brother Randy, Caroline O'Connor (Chicago, Moulin Rouge) as school teacher Miss Shields, and Eddie Korbich (The Little Mermaid, The Drowsy Chaperone, Wicked) as Santa Claus. All join Dan Lauria (Broadway's Lombardi, TV's "Sullivan & Son" and "The Wonder Years") as Jean Shepherd.

The ensemble for the Broadway engagement features Tia Altinay, John Babbo, Charissa Bertels, Grace Capeless, Zoe Considine, Andrew Cristi, Mathew deGuzman, Thay Flloyd, George Franklin, Nick Gaswirth, Mark Ledbetter, Jose Luaces, Jack Mastrianni, Mara Newbery, Lindsay O'Neil, Sarah Min-Kyung Park, J.D. Rodriguez, Analise Scarpaci, Lara Seibert, Jeremy Shinder, Luke Spring, Beatrice Tulchin, and Kirsten Wyatt.

The musical features a bright holiday score by composer/lyricist team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and a 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 Howell Binkley; sound design by Ken Travis; wig design by Tom Watson; orchestrations by Larry Blank; music direction and supervision by Ian Eisendrath; dance music arrangements by Glen Kelly; and vocal arrangements by Justin Paul.

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.

On November 8th, 2011, A Christmas Story, The Musical! launched its pre-Broadway National Tour at The Hershey Theatre in Hershey, PA. The five-city National Tour went on to play engagements in Detroit, MI, Raleigh, NC, Tampa, FL and Chicago, IL. Scroll down for photos from the tour!

Following a nationwide search, producers of the musical announced that 12-year-old Johnny Rabe would don Ralphie's trademark spectacles for the show's Broadway holiday engagement at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Rabe made his Broadway debut in the role. Below, watch BroadwayWorld's first interviews with the new cast, plus a performance preview.

A Christmas Story, The Musical! pushed back its previews to November 7 due to Hurricane Sandy, and opened on Broadway on November 19. Scroll down for first-look production photos and BroadwayWorld's coverage of the opening night curtain call and party!

BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there for the musical's big opening on Broadway last month, and, below, you can check out interviews with the cast and creative team following the curtain!

The company of A Christmas Story also celebrated their opening with the Gypsy Robe ritual. The company's recipient was Kirsten Wyatt, and BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event!

Happy holidays!