The story from a cherished movie classic that's enchanted millions is now a musical spectacular. In 1940's Indiana, a bespectacled boy named Ralphie has a big imagination and one wish for Christmas-a Red Ryder BB Gun. A kooky leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a cranky department store Santa, and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the obstacles that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas dream.
the stage adaptation plays like a heart-tugging, best-of version of the movie, with a saccharine score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and a book by Joseph Robinette that desperately panders for laughs...The musicals pleasures are far and wide: Dan Lauria is steady as an older version of Ralphie, who narrates the story. Johnny Rabe, who played Ralphie at my performance, did a nice job of wrangling the curmudgeonly, hopeful nature of his character. Zac Ballard, as younger brother Randy, is a delight. Director John Rando borrows film techniques like freeze-frame and simulated slow motion to great effect. The show feels too long, particularly in the first act...And of course, the whole production is super-duper schmaltzy. But it's Christmas. On Broadway. In the winter wonderland of New York City. And a pink bunny suit is involved. For the most part, A Christmas Story: The Musical isexactly what you expect. B+
We've all seen the scene in 'A Christmas Story' when the kid gets his tongue stuck on a frozen flagpole. Now on Broadway is that very same scene – plus the kid actually singing through it, or at least trying to sing. 'Sthlun luv a...,' he mumbles at the end. It's just one great touch in a musical that dares to mess with one of the most popular Christmas-time movies of all time and yet manages to not only do the film justice, but top it. The show...is a charming triumph of imagination that director John Rando has infused with utter joy. It's also a snappy piece of mature songwriting from a pair of guys barely as old as the original 1983 film...Purists may be upset to miss some film elements – such as Ralphie's decoder ring – but few will walk away thinking 'A Christmas Story' has been dishonored, itself a little Christmas miracle.
2011 | US Tour |
National Tour US Tour |
2012 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
2013 | Off-Broadway |
Madison Square Garden Production Off-Broadway |
2017 | Motion Picture |
FOX Live Televised Production Motion Picture |
2021 | US Tour |
Non Equity Tour US Tour |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2013 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Book of a Musical | Joseph Robinette |
2013 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Choreography | Warren Carlyle |
2013 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | John Bolton |
2013 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | John Bolton |
2013 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Music | Justin Paul |
2013 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Music | Benj Pasek |
2013 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations | Larry Blank |
2013 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Dan Lauria |
2013 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Musical | 0 |
2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Gerald Goehring |
2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Roy Miller |
2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Michael F. Mitri |
2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Pat Flicker Addiss |
2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Peter Billingsley |
2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Timothy Laczynski |
2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Mariano V. Tolentino Jr. |
2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Louise H. Beard |
2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Michael Filerman |
2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Scott Hart |
2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Alison Eckert |
2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Bob Bartner |
2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Michael Jenkins |
2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Angela Milonas |
2013 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Bradford W. Smith |
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