A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL Brings Heartwarming Nostalgia to Fulton Theatre

The nationally regarded Fulton Theatre presents the holiday classic A Christmas Story, The Musical, now through December 31. Join Ralphie and friends as they bring the heartwarming nostalgia of this Christmas film to life on stage. WE TRIPLE DOG DARE YOU!

A Christmas Story, The Musical is based off of the 1983 holiday classic movie A Christmas Story directed by Bob Clark starting such actors as Peter Billingsley, Jean Shepherd, Ian Petrella, Melinda Dillon and Darren McGavin. The film was then adapted for the stage and moved to Broadway November, 2012.

This musical's adaptation was given plenty of holiday cheer by Oscar and Tony-winning Benj Pasek and Justin Paul who wrote the music and lyrics, while Joseph Robinette translated our favorite moments from the movie to the book for this energetic production. Directed under John Rando at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in Manhattan A Christmas Story, The Musical ran for a limited engagement opening on November 19, 2012 and closed December 30, 2012. Since closing this beloved A Christmas Story, The Musical has run seasonally since 2014 on National Tours and Regional productions.

A Christmas extravaganza, with plenty of dance to energize your holiday season! It's not sugarplums dancing in Ralphie's head; it's a Red Ryder air rifle! A Christmas Story, The Musical is a clever and humorous adaptation of the hit film that became an instant classic early 1980s and had everyone echoing "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!" On a desperate quest to prove to his mother, teacher and even Santa that he is responsible enough to be the proud owner of this Christmas wish, Ralphie isn't going to let any opposition stop him from getting what he wants, including the schoolyard bullies! Bundled with your favorite film moments, fans will rejoice as they relive the triple-dog-dare flag pole incident, the worst Christmas present ever (pink bunny pajamas) and the FRA-GEE-LAY top prize (leg lamp). A Christmas Story, The Musical hits the bullseye for the holiday family fun!

The Fulton Theatre's production stars Nathaniel Hackmann as Jean Shepherd. Hackmann has most recently played Jean Valjean, Javert, and the Factory Foreman on Broadway in Lés Miserables. He has just returned from London at The Royal Albert Hall and a sold out engagement as Curly in Oklahoma! with the John Wilson Orchestra. Hackmann last appeared on the Fulton Stage as Orin Scrivello in Little Shop of Horrors and Gaston in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Other New York/national tour: Disney'sBeauty and the Beast (Gaston), Paint Your Wagon (Steve). Regional: Jekyll & Hyde (Jekyll/Hyde), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Adam), Oliver! (Bill Sykes), Sweeney Todd (Anthony), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Miles), Oklahoma! (Jud), Ragtime (Tateh), Into the Woods(Cinderella's Prince/Wolf), Camelot (Lancelot), Bye Bye Birdie (Birdie). Ryan Kimbark as Ralphie Parker. Kimbark was most recently seen on the Fulton Stage this past summer in Disney's Newsies (U/S Les, Ensemble). Other credits include Susquehanna Stage Company: Seussical (Jojo), Peter Pan (Michael Darling), Big River (Ensemble), Miracle on 34th Street (Harry Finfer, ensemble), Little Shop of Horrors(left tentacle!), and Once Upon a Mattress (Minstrel). LMH: You're a Good Man Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown) and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (children's choir).

Also starring is Jeffrey Coon as The Old Man (Frank Parker). Coon most recently performed at the Fulton in: 4000 Days. Previously, The Producers, Sweeney Todd, and Hello, Dolly!. Co-creator and Executive Director of The Summer Club, returning to The Fulton A Winter Holiday with The Summer ClubDecember 11th. Lindsay O'Neil as Mother. O'Neil is making her Fulton Theatre debut! She was in the Original Broadway cast of A Christmas Story, The Musical and is beyond excited to tell this heartfelt story again. Other New York credits include: The Most Happy Fella, Little Me, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (all at City Center Encores!), Carousel (New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall), Babes in Toyland(Avery Fisher Hall), W.S Gilbert and the Broadway He Inspired (Lyrics & Lyricists). Lindsay has also toured with The Phantom of the Opera and Cats. Regional favorites include: Annie (Flat Rock Playhouse), Pirates of Penzance (Barrington Stage), Good News (Goodspeed Opera House), Sunset Boulevard (Ogunquit Playhouse). Chase Jennings Gray as Randy Parker. Gray is thrilled to be back on the Fulton Stage. He was last seen in Billy Elliot: The Musical playing Small Boy. Chase, 8 years old, is a 3rd grader at Commonwealth Charter Academy. Other favorite roles include Michael in Peter Pan (Dutch Apple), Workhouse Boy/Fagin's Gang in Oliver! (EPAC), and Monkey in Lion King Jr (EPAC). Lanene Charters as (Miss) Shields. Broadway/Tours: Mamma Mia!, Elf: The Musical (secretary Deb), Annie Get Your Gun (Dolly Tate u/s), Titanic (Jack Thayer), Big (yuppie Diane), Cats (Sillabub). Toured Japan singing with the Tokyo Philharmonic. Favorite roles: Rosie (Mamma Mia!), Karen/Murial/Norma (Plaza Suite), Mary (Mauritius), Gloria (Boeing Boeing), Paulette (Legally Blonde) and Irene Molloy (Hello, Dolly!).

Rounding out the cast in alphabetical order are; Joey Abramowicz (Ensemble), Alisia Alvarez (Female Children's Ensemble), Grant Bailey (Skut Farkus), Andrew Berlin (Santa, Ensemble, U/S Jean Shepherd), Hannah Flam (Ensemble), Cole Gable (Flick), Sara Gallo (Ensemble, U/S (Miss) Shields), Gavin Scott Haas (Schwartz), Haley Hannah (Ensemble), Gabrielle Harker (Ensemble), Andrew Kindig (Ensemble, U/S The Old Man), Stephanie Maloney (Ensemble, Dance Captain), Evan Mayer (Ensemble, Fight Captain), Will Porter (Male Chief Elf, Ensemble), Annalise Prentiss (Female Children's Ensemble), Audra Qualley (Female Chief Elf, Ensemble), Jared Thomas Roberts (Ensemble), Tony Romero (Waiter, Ensemble), Ariana Stambaugh (Female Children's Ensemble), Madelyn Witcraft (Female Children's Ensemble), Timmy Woodward Jr (Grover Dill, U/S Ralphie).

The creative team for the production includes Marc Robin (Fulton's Executive Artistic Producer), Wayne Bryan (Director), Mara Newbery Greer (Choreographer), Jonathan Lefever (Musical Director), J. Branson (Scenic Designer), Michael O'Connor (Lighting Designer), Anthony Lascoskie, Jr. (Costume and Wig Designer), Jacob Mishler (Sound Designer), Katelin Walsko (Props Designer), Bob Cline(Casting Director), Timothy Markus (Production Stage Manager), and Douglas Lamb (Assistant Stage Manager).

The Orchestra includes Jonathan Lefever (Conductor/Keyboard), Karen Waddill (Keyboard 2), Janine Thomas (Reed 1), Mike Wolf (Reed 2), Rob Shaubach (Reed 3), D. Scott Loose (Trumpet), Rick Staherski (Trombone), Michael Vitale (Bass) and Clem Lichty (Drums/Percussion).

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ALSO THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AT THE FULTON:

THE NUTCRACKER
Performances Are November 25 Through December 23
Due to Popular Demand, Two Performances Have Been Added!

One of the Fulton's most popular, Eichmann Family Theatre Series productions is back for the holidays. Follow the journey of the heroic Nutcracker as he tries to reclaim the magic crown from the Evil Mouse King. Travel through the magical land of sweets. Watch as an enchanted jack-in-the-box springs to life, tap-dancing penguins back up a very cool Snow Princess and meet the wondrous Sugar Plum Fairy. The magic of Christmas comes alive in this joyous musical adaptation of the classic holiday story by E.T.A. Hoffmann.

The cast of The Nutcracker in alphabetical order are; Emily Bailey (Clara), Joshua Bellamy (Jack-In-The-Box, Dance Captain), Melissa Blatherwick (Rocking Horse, Arabian, Penguin), Kevin Faraci (Papa, Shmo), Randall Frizado (Drosselmeyer), Nicole Hackmann (Mama, Sugar Plum Fairy, Harp, Snow Princess), Gabrielle Harker (Marie), Donovan Hoffer (Soldier), Andrew Kindig (Fritz, Mouse King), Evan Mayer (Nutcracker), StephanieJo Wise (Servant, Joe).

The creative team for the production includes Marc Robin (Fulton's Executive Artistic Producer), Buddy Reeder (Director and Choreographer), Jonathan Lefever (Musical Director), William James Mohney (Scenic Designer), Katie Knudson (Lighting Designer), Kelsey Bomba (Costume and Wig Designer), Matthew Moran (Sound Designer), Katelin Walsko (Props Designer), Rebekah Church (Production Stage Manager), and Douglas Lamb (Assistant Stage Manager).

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Single ticket prices range from $28 - $71, with Student Rush available. Fulton Theatre performs in its home, the national historic landmark Fulton Opera House located at 12 North Prince Street in Lancaster, PA. For more information or to purchase tickets call 717.397.7425 or visit theFulton.org.

The Fulton first opened its doors in 1852. 165 years later, this national historic landmark theatre continues to entertain, educate and delight audiences, bringing live theatre, music, and more than 120,000 patrons into downtown Lancaster annually. Since its inception, some of the brightest stars of theatre, music and film have appeared on its stage, including Sarah Bernhardt, Mark Twain, Lionel Barrymore, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, W.C. Fields, George M. Cohan, Treat Williams and Lancaster's own Jonathan Groff.

Today, under the leadership of Executive Artistic Producer Marc Robin, the Fulton Theatre produces a mix of comedies, dramas and musicals, employing the talents of professional directors, designers, actors and playwrights from across the country. The Fulton also offers classes for children, teens and adults as well as numerous community engagement programs across the region.

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