‘A Christmas Story: The Musical’ tells classic tale in new way

A classic Christmas tale is jumping off the screen and onto the Midland stage this holiday season. “A Christmas Story: The Musical” will continue its performance this weekend at the Midland Center for the Arts.

“A Christmas Story: The Musical” is set to perform at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8, 9 and 10 as well as 3 p.m. Dec.10 and 11. The show is currently sold out, but those interested in being placed on an upgrade or wait list can contact the Ticket Office at 989-631-8250.

Kids sometimes wish for the darnedest things for Christmas, and protagonist Ralphie Parker is no exception. The musical, based on the 1983 cult classic film of the same name, follows Ralphie as he dreams of getting a Red Ryder BB gun. Along the way, adult Ralphie chronicles his childhood experiences including his friend getting his tongue stuck to a frozen flagpole, his father winning a leg lamp in a contest and receiving bright pink bunny pajamas for Christmas.

Jessica Toole, 12, of Midland, plays young Ralphie. Toole has performed in just one other show, “Seussical the Musical” as Jojo which performed this summer. She explained how she had to navigate the differences between a youth-based show and a more mature cast.

“(A Christmas Story) is a very fun show. There’s a lot more work than the kids’ theater – a lot more costume changes, choreography and lines. I really like the choreography and starting tech (rehearsal) because that’s when everything comes to life.”

Daniel Buzzell of Midland portrays the Old Man, Ralphie’s curmudgeonly father, Frank Parker. This marks the first time that Buzzell has performed in a show after director Stephen Fort and his wife encouraged him to audition. Through the rehearsals, he has enjoyed the camaraderie between the actors as they put in hard work and long hours.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity, as someone who hasn’t performed, to be given a role this substantial in their first play,” Buzzell said. “This is something that I didn’t expect. (The production team) had faith in me, and the support they’ve offered has been wonderful.”

“A Christmas Story” is a family musical not only for the storyline, but also the actors. Buzzell is joined by his daughter, Georgia, 10, who is in the children’s ensemble. Like her father, this is the first time she has been on stage, but she has enjoyed meeting people and making new friends. She has especially appreciated the chance to spend time with her dad.

“Normally I have school, so I don’t get to see him a lot,” Georgia said. “Now I get to see him and spend time with him.”

Remaining cast members include Emily Anderson, Kellan Anderson, Mark Christopher Baczewski, Melissa Bornemann, Claire Campbell, Tracy Collison, Gian Carlo Damocles, Madison Danner, Juliet Dixon, Emilee Doty, Beth Emmons, Isaac Fort, Brooke Gomez, Carter Gross, Andy Harrington, Lola Heise, Grace LaBean, Sadie Moeller, Caroline Mulvaney, Alex Rapanos, Albin Reder, Claudia Rios and Danny Schulz.

The show is staged in the Little Theater, making use of the turntable, flowing from exterior shots of the school and the Parker home to interior scenes and a fantasy realm.

Stephen Fort explained that the musical differs from the movie by expanding upon the imagination scenes, providing them for Ralphie as well as his mother and the Old Man.

“The majority of the songs that take place are in this fantasy realm of Ralphie’s mind or the mother’s mind or the father’s mind,” Fort said. “There’s only a couple that are grounded in the moment.”

Even with the deeper character exploration and addition of musical numbers, Fort stated that the show “checks the boxes” of iconic scenes from the movie.

“It’s that deeper meaning within the movie – which wasn’t in the forefront but did exist – that pulled people in,” Fort said.

“It gets people in the festive spirit,” Toole said, adding the movie is one of her holiday favorites and the show has become her favorite musical. “It certainly does for me.”