A CHRISTMAS STORY Holds Open Auditions for Kids in Chicago

A Christmas Story, The Musical!, prepares to launch a five-city national tour for the 2011 holiday season, the show's producers, including Peter Billingsley, who starred as Ralphie in the original 1983 film, have announced that they will begin their search for young actors at an open audition for children between the ages of 8-13 at the Chicago Theatre Downstairs (enter just south of the main venue), 175 N. State Street, Chicago, today (June 27) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Talented children, boys and girls, with strong vocal and acting ability are encouraged to attend. 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 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.

A Christmas Story, The Musical! will rehearse in Chicago, October 10 before commencing a five-city national tour: Hershey, PA (Hershey Theatre, Nov. 8 - 13); Detroit, MI (Fisher Theatre, Nov. 15 - 27); Raleigh, NC (Memorial Auditorium, Nov. 29 - Dec. 4); and Tampa, FL (Straz Center, Dec. 6-11), before returning to The Chicago Theatre for performances Dec. 14-30, 2011.

For more information about the audition, visit www.achristmasstorythemusical.com/casting.

This holiday season, America's #1 Christmas movie comes to life on stage as a hilarious holiday musical, A Christmas Story, 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. Acclaimed director/choreographer Warren Carlyle (Broadway's Finian's Rainbow, Follies at The Kennedy Center, An Evening With Hugh Jackman) will helm the production. Peter Billingsley, who starred as Ralphie in the original 1983 film, serves as a producer for the holiday tour.

After acclaimed, sold-out, record-breaking runs at Kansas City Rep in 2009 and Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre in 2010, A Christmas Story, The Musical! will launch a five-city National Tour for the 2011 holiday season with engagements in Hershey, PA (Hershey Theatre, Nov. 8 - 13); Detroit, MI (Fisher Theatre, Nov. 15 - 27); Raleigh, NC (Memorial Auditorium, Nov. 29 - Dec. 4); Tampa, FL, (Straz Center, Dec. 6 - Dec. 11); and Chicago, IL (Chicago Theatre, Dec. 14 - 30).

A Christmas Story, The Musical! chronicles young and bespectacled Ralphie Parker as he schemes his way towards the holiday gift of his dreams, a Red Ryder Action Air Rifle BB Gun ("You'll shoot your eye out kid!"). A kooky leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa, and a double-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the distractions that stand between young Ralphie and his Christmas wish. Produced by the film's original Ralphie, Peter Billingsley, It's a perennial holiday classic that will entertain the whole family.

A Christmas Story, The Musical! features scenic design by Walt Spangler (Desire Under the Elms); costume design by Elizabeth Hope Clancy (Passing Strange, The Goat or Who Is Sylvia?); lighting design by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley (Jersey Boys, Memphis); orchestrations by 2011 Tony nominee Larry Blank (Catch Me If You Can); musical supervision by Ian Eisendrath (5th Avenue Theatre's Sunday In The Park With George, West Side Story); dance arrangements by August Eriksmoen (Memphis, The Addams Family) and casting by Stephanie Klapper (Dividing the Estate, The Tempermentals) Peter Billingsley joins commercial producers Gerald Goehring (Frankenstein: The Musical), Roy Miller (West Side Story revival, The Drowsy Chaperone), Michael Mitri (Frankenstein: The Musical), Pat Addiss (Promises, Promises; Spring Awakening), Louise Beard, Richard Winkler, Mariano Tolentino, Dan Frishwasser, Tim Laczynski, Bartner/Jenkins Entertainment, Angela Milonas, Bradford W. Smith.

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