Interview: Director Bruce Lumpkin and Young Actor Estus Stephens Talk A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL

A CHRISTMAS STORY, movie or musical, centers around 9-year-old Ralphie, a child desperate for his Christmas wish - a Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle. It's a real "Will he? Won't he?" drama. Will he or won't he get that two-hundred shot range model air rifle?

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Jokes aside, A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL is remarkable really. In a month where Christmas stories rain down like manna from the heavens and A CHRISTMAS STORY, the movie, runs on TBS for 24 hours, Theatre Under the Stars' A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL, distinguishes itself. TUTS Artistic Director Bruce Lumpkin ascribes this to the transformative properties of theatre. "The theatre has the ability to bring out the inner child in each of us, causing the broken world that we live in to become beautiful, even if just for a moment."

And as for the marathon showing of the movie each year, the musical is more than the film (just as the film is more than the musical). It has all of the iconic moments that you would find in the film, says Lumpkin, and provides an array of theatrical flourishes. "... A CHRISTMAS STORY contains all of the elements of a great Holiday musical - spectacular sets and costumes, show-stopping song and dance numbers, memorable lyrics, and most importantly, a heartwarming story."

More interestingly, TUTS presents A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL in a season that is partial to the THE NUTCRACKER or A CHRISTMAS CAROL. So, while A CHRISTMAS STORY is a classic winter story-for my generation at least-it is not considered a classic. I ask Lumpkin how the show fits into the pantheon of Christmas favorites. With ease, it seems. "A CHRISTMAS STORY evokes childhood nostalgia and creates a new holiday tradition for present and future generations becoming a holiday classic musical in its own right."

For the production, Lumpkin is tasked with working with young actors, like 12-year-old lead Estus Stephens (Ralphie), which Lumpkin says is a different, but equally rewarding, experience. "Kids have a great amount of enthusiasm that is pure magic when harnessed - I think that really comes through in the show." The show also gives Lumpkin the opportunity to take advantage of the Broadway-worthy levels of talent here in Houston like Stephens, a student of the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre.

For his part, Stephens is over the moon to play the role. "I've seen the movie about a million times, so playing Ralphie is really fun for me." And going to rehearsals with the other kids and participating in a fight scene are highlights of his experience. But there is one thing he admits isn't quite so fun.

"Tap dancing is hard. It looks really easy, but it's not!"

Natalie de la Garza contributed to this article

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Through December 20. Tickets start at $46. Hobby Center, 800 Bagby. 713-558-8887. tuts.com

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