Evan Gray, Colton Maurer and More Star in National Tour of A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL; Kicks Off Today

Big League Productions presents the 2014 - 2015 national tour of A Christmas Story, The Musical. The beloved holiday movie will be brought to life on Broadway stages across the country. This sparkling new production will launch with one performance in Owensboro, KY followed by engagements in Appleton, Memphis, Dallas, and culminating over the Christmas holidays with a three week run at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis.

The national tour of A Christmas Story, The Musical will feature Evan Gray and Colton Maurer sharing the role of the bespectacled Ralphie Parker, with Max Thayer as Jean Shepherd, Christopher Swan as The Old Man, Susannah Jones as Mother, Cal Alexander as little brother Randy and Avital Asuleen as Miss Shields. The cast also includes Andrew Berlin, Christian Dell'Edera, Elizabeth Flanagan, Cole Hagen, Tierney Lee Howard, Seth Judice, Maria Knasel, Rico Lebron, Allison Maldonado, Lea Mancarella, Brooke Martino, Johnny Marx, Michael McClure, Deanna Ott, Charles Pang, Ellie Poon, Brandon Szep, Chris Van Vleet and Danny Wilfred.

A Christmas Story, The Musical chronicles young 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 triple-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, with a heartwarming story set in the heartland of America, A Christmas Story, The Musical, 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.

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 new national tour direction is by Matt Lenz with inspiration from the 2012 Broadway direction by TONY Award winner John Rando. TONY Award winner Warren Carlyle's Broadway choreography is being recreated for the tour by Jason Sparks. Scenery, costumes, and lighting will be based on the 2012 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.

A Christmas Story, The Musical is produced by Big League Productions, Inc. Led by President and Executive Producer Daniel Sher, Big League is celebrating its 27th season of producing, general managing and booking Broadway musicals and special attractions for touring throughout North America and the world. For more information visit www.bigleague.org.

A Christmas Story, The Musical
2014 - 2015 National Tour Dates

Owensboro, KY November 14, 2014 RiverPark Center

Appleton, WI November 18 - 23, 2014 Fox Cities PAC

Memphis, TN November 25 - 30, 2014 Orpheum Theatre

Dallas, TX December 2 - 14, 2014 Music Hall at Fair Park

St. Louis, MO December 16, 2014 - January 2, 2015 Fox Theatre

A Christmas Story, The Musical Cast Biographies:

EVAN GRAY (Ralphie) is very excited to be a part of A Christmas Story, The Musical. Favorite past credits include The Addams Family (Pugsley) and Charlotte's Web (Wilbur).

COLTON MAURER (Ralphie) is honored to play the iconic role of Ralphie. His professional debut was in Oliver! (workhouse boy) at Paper Mill, where he also attends the conservatory. www.coltonmaurer.com.

MAX THAYER (Jean Shepherd) A military veteran, as well as a consummate veteran actor, he has appeared in many diverse productions from NYC to LA.

CHRISTOPHER SWAN (The Old Man) Most recently played Prof. Callahan in the original cast of LEGALLY BLONDE: The Musical on the NCL Getaway, and previously toured with DAMN YANKEES as Mr. Applegate. Other regional credits include Forever Plaid (TBPAC), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Theatre-by-the-Sea), Little Shop of Horrors (American Stage), Angels in America (Arkansas Rep), and Clybourne Park (Hippodrome Theatre). Christopher holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the Boston Conservatory.

SUSANNAH JONES (Mother) New York City: Marvell Repertory, New Georges, NYC Fringe, New York Musical Theatre Festival, Planet Connections. Regional: Portland Shakespeare Project, Texas Shakespeare Festival, Stageworks/Hudson, Hudson Stage Company. Web Series: PLANT (Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy LA Webfest 2014). www.susannahjones.info.

CAL ALEXANDER (Randy) is grateful for this opportunity to be in his second Broadway tour. He played the Small Boy in the Billy Elliot national/international tour.

AVITAL ASULEEN (Miss Shields) favorite credits include Mrs. Snoring Man in White Christmas (Westchester Broadway), Anytime Annie in 42nd Street (Surflight), and productions of Cabaret, On Your Toes, and No No Nanette.