A Christmas Story The Musical at Lakewood Theatre Company

A Christmas Story The Musical Director Dennis Corwin and Assistant Director Laura Hiszczynskyj say, “This production will be a highlight of your holiday season! It is a hilarious, pitch-perfect tale of a middle-class family negotiating the perils of Christmas, recalled through the eyes of a nine-year-old-boy.”

Performances are Thurs-Sat at 7:30 PM, Sundays, at 2:00 PM, one Saturday (Dec. 7) at 2:00 PM, and two Wednesday performances (Nov. 20 and Dec. 11) at 7:30 PM. Lakewood Theatre Company features an intimate 220-seat theatre located at Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street in Lake Oswego. The Title Sponsors for A Christmas Story, The Musical are Nancy & Andy Bryant and David & Jean Avison. The Music Sponsor is Jack’s Overhead Door.

Nominated for three 2013 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the story is originally from a 40-year-old radio script by writer Jean Shepherd, who wrote the book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash, which then inspired the movie A Christmas Story in 1983 and became A Christmas Story, The Musical in 2012.

With music and lyrics by Tony-and Oscar-winning duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land) and a book by Joseph Robinette, A Christmas Story, The Musical takes place in a small town in 1940s Indiana, similar to where the writer Jean Shepherd grew up.

The story: The story's author, Jean Shepherd, played by Mike Dederian, narrates the tale of his most memorable childhood Christmas as nine-year-old Ralphie Parker who wants one thing for Christmas, and one thing only: An Official Red Ryder Range Model Carbine Action BB Gun. There’s only one problem: everyone else is convinced he’ll shoot his eye out!

Undeterred, Ralphie tries to convince his sweet but protective mother, his strait-laced teacher, Miss Shields and even Santa Claus himself that he needs that gun for the protection of his loved ones, and maybe even for a little cowboy glory to call his own.

Leading the cast in these holiday shenanigans, are Cubby Furgison and Sage Gonzalez (on alternating performances) as Ralphie Parker, along with Jeremy Southard as his “Old Man” and Tawni D. Peterson as his mom. Margaux Somera and William Francis share the role of Randy, his little brother stuffed in a snow suit until he can’t get his arms down. Ralphie’s best friends Flick (the kid who licks the pole) and Schwartz (the one who triple dog dares him) are played by Cameron James and Zach Burnham-LeFevre. Liberty Dolence portrays their teacher Miss Shields, and Carl Dahlquist appears as Santa.

The talented youth ensemble features Ripley Phillippay, Jack Bailey, Lily Francis, Sloan Whitman, Clara Watson, Ellie Christensen, Zach Burnham-LeFevre, Oakley Glenn, Cameron James, Asher Smith, and Gage Samuel Peterson.

The adult ensemble playing multiple roles includes Dylan Anthony Macabitas, Robert Altieri, Emily Smith,  Kari M. Christensen, LeRoy Lee, Kylie Jenifer Rose, Melissa Standley, Alika Bright, and Melody Wells-Benitez