Sam Whited Dons The Bunny Suit Once More for Tennessee Rep's A CHRISTMAS STORY

Tennessee Repertory Theatre will once again present the holiday cult A Christmas Story adapted by Phillip Grecian and based on the motion picture by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, and Bob Clark.  A Christmas Story runs December 8-22 at TPAC's Johnson Theater.

"We have had such an overwhelming response to A Christmas Story from everyone who has come to see this show over the past two years," says Rene Dunshee Copeland, Tennessee Rep producing artistic director. 

"While everyone has been thoroughly entertained, it also has touched folks on a visceral level.  We have had fun presenting it; audiences have had fun watching it; and in some cases, being a part of it, so I can't say I was terribly surprised when, after every single performance, people have urged us to bring it back.  I know watching the movie is a holiday tradition for many, and I am delighted to think our production might have an equally special place in the hearts of our patrons."

Humorist Jean Shepherd's memoir of growing up in the Midwest in the 1940s follows nine-year-old Ralphie Parker in his unflappable campaign to get Santa (or anyone else) to give him a "legendary official Red Ryder carbine-action, 200 shot range-model air rifle." Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself at Goldblatt's Department Store. The consistent response: "You'll shoot your eye out."

Many of the favorite elements from the motion picture are included in Tennessee Rep's production:  the family's temperamental exploding furnace, the school bully Scut Farkas, the boys who dare another to stick his wet tongue to a cold flagpole, the Little Orphan Annie decoder pin, the "major award" of a lamp shaped like a woman's leg in a net stocking, the imaginative fantasy scenarios and more. This irresistible piece of Americana is a cult classic and is guaranteed to warm the heart and tickle the funny bone.

Tennessee Rep artistic associate Lauren Shouse will again direct the holiday smash hit.

"Watching A Christmas Story has become a holiday tradition for me and I know I am not alone," says Shouse.  "The holiday season is just not the same without that iconic leg lamp shining bright in the front window.  So when the audiences who saw our stage version of this cult classic movie urged us to bring it back for a third season, I wasn't surprised. This production is not only pure fun, but it is uniquely reminiscent of the joy of Christmas for child and adult alike. We would be delighted if our production of A Christmas Story felt like a holiday tradition every year. After all, Christmas just wouldn't be the same without the 'net stockinged, life-sized symbol' of holiday joy."

Veteran Nashville actor Samuel Whited once again stars as Ralphie: "The first time through A Christmas Story, I was worried. I remember thinking that taking on a role where I had to present both a young boy and his future, wiser self was daunting in itself," says Whited. 

"Add to that the concern of giving a performance that could stand on its own in the looming shadow of the brilliant film, I began to wonder if René had considered her casting decision thoroughly enough. I was both relieved and delighted to find that we had built a show that the audience enjoyed and one that lived on its own. By the time we finished the first show I was really comfortable with Ralphie and sorry to let him go.

"When it was first mentioned that we might have another run at it, I was giddy at the prospect. I was not ready to say goodbye to the little family on Cleveland Street. To once again take on the pink bunny suit of humility is both a comfort and privilege. The show is dear to me, as are the folks I share the stage with. I am not only looking forward to rejoining my friends but welcoming another dear friend into the mix.

"I'm cleaning my glasses and dusting the lamp. The show won't come soon enough or last long enough to satisfy me. To look into the seats and see whole families living the story with us is something I am so impatient for, rather like awaiting Christmas itself."

In addition to Whited, Tennessee Rep's production features an ensemble cast including David Compton, Jamie Farmer, Andrew Kanies, Eric D. Pasto-Crosby, Peter Vann, and David Wilkerson.

 

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