Broadway-Bound A CHRISTMAS STORY to Hold Open Call for Children, 6/16

As A Christmas Story, The Musical! prepares for a Broadway engagement this holiday season, the show's producers have announced that they will begin their search for young actors. An open audition for children between the ages of 8-13 will be held on Saturday June 16, 2012 at Pearl Studios (500 8th Avenue, 12th floor). Registration begins at 11:30AM with auditions from 12:00-5:00PM.

Casting directors are seeking to fill the iconic lead role of Ralphie and his troupe of friends and classmates, including: Randy, Flick, Schwartz, Scut Farcus, Grover Dill, Mary Beth, and Esther Jane. Children should be extraordinary actors, singers, and dancers and no more than 4'11" in height. Those auditioning should prepare a brief, rhythmic, classic Broadway song that shows off voice and personality. Bring sheet music in the correct key. An accompanist will be provided but may not transpose. Please bring a photo and resume. Boys voices should be unchanged.

A Christmas Story, The Musical! begins rehearsals in NYC October 1. The production will run on Broadway from November 6, 2012 – December 30, 2012

A Christmas Story, The Musical! will arrive on Broadway this holiday season. The producers have announced that the new musical, based on the 1983 holiday movie perennial, will play a November – December 2012 holiday run at Broadway theatre to be announced. Performances will begin Tuesday, November 6. Opening night is Monday, November 19.

America's #1 Christmas movie came to life on stage as a hilarious holiday musical when A Christmas Story, The Musical! launched a national holiday season tour in 2011 with stops in Hershey, PA; Detroit, MI; Raleigh, NC; Tampa, FL; and Chicago, IL; 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) directed the production with Warren Carlyle (Follies, An Evening With Hugh Jackman) choreographing.

The Chicago Tribune called A Christmas Story, The Musical! "a moving and satisfying Broadway-calliber show," while the Chicago Sun Times called it "an enchanting holiday gem…an altogether beguiling …luminous musical comedy," and Variety called it "a slick, undeniably enjoyable musical." The Detroit Free Press raved "the cast practically triple-dog-dares-you not to enjoy yourself. The musical numbers, penned by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, bring to mind classic musicals" and Time Out Chicago said "A Christmas Story, The Musical! has the potential to be a new perennial favorite."

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. 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.

Peter Billingsley joins commercial producers Gerald Goehring (Frankenstein: The Musical), Roy Miller (West Side Story revival, The Drowsy Chaperone), Michael F. Mitri (Frankenstein: The Musical), Pat Flicker Addiss (Promises, Promises; Spring Awakening), Mariano Tolentino, Louise H. Beard, Michael Filerman, Scott Hart, Timothy Laczynski, Bartner/Jenkins Entertainment, Angela Milonas, Bradford W. Smith.