Overview
Synopsis
Nine year old Ralphie Parker 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, he begins his saga of convincing all the necessary players, from his sweet but protective Mother, to his straightlaced teacher, Miss Shields, all the way to Santa Claus himself, that he needs that gun for the protection of his loved ones, and maybe even a little cowboy glory to call his own. Ralphie’s vivid imagination conjures up several showstopping numbers, from “Ralphie to The Rescue” in which he defeats every foe a young boy can think of (robbers, mustache twirling villains, and of course, the school bully), to the thrilling tap routine performed by a gun moll-esque Miss Shields, who sheds her sweater set and romance novel for a glittery red gown and a whole lot of moxie. And Ralphie’s not the only one with dreams of grandeur. His old man is just as set on a goal of his own, namely, winning a prize in the $50,000 Great Figures of World Literature Contest. His dreams come true when he wins a major award from the competition in the form of a garish, fishnet stocking clad leg lamp, which horrifies his wife but brings him unadulterated joy. In the biggest number of the show, the Old Man dreams up a fantastic dance sequence, developing from a euphoric ballet, to a sultry tango with his wife dressed a la lamp, and finally to a show stopping leg lamp can-can bringing the number to a triumphant close. Filled with quirky and lovable characters, this zany, heartfelt, and nostalgic musical is as delightful as the biggest, shiniest present under the tree on Christmas morning.
Show Information
- Book
- Joseph Robinette
- Music
- Benj Pasek , Justin Paul
- Lyrics
- Benj Pasek , Justin Paul
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2009
- Genres
- Comedy, Farce, Satire, Fairy Tale/Fantasy
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- december 1-25, 1940 in hohman, indiana
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Heavy
- Licensor
- Dramatic Publishing Co.
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, High School, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Child, Mature Adult, Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
A Christmas Story is the most recent in a long line of adaptations of Jean Shepherd’s amusing radio stories about growing up in Indiana during the 1930s and 40s. He originally anthologized them in a book called In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash in 1966, which was then turned into the beloved holiday movie, A Christmas Story in 1983. He co-wrote the screenplay with Leigh Brown and Bob Clark, and also provided the narrations for the film.
The first musical version premiered at Kansas
to read the context for A Christmas Story: The Musical and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
The Prologue begins on Christmas Eve “many years ago’ with a middle aged Jean Sheperd walking to the WOR station in NYC to deliver his nationally beloved radio show. He starts to tell us the story of Ralphie Parker, a fictionalized version of his childhood self.
The curtain rises on the Parker family home, nestled in the unremarkable town of Hohman, Indiana in 1940, as they try to get out the door for the event of the season: the unveiling of the Higbee’s Department Store
to read the plot for A Christmas Story: The Musical and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Alto |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Female |
|
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
|
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
|
Songs
Act 1
- Overture - Orchestra
- It All Comes Down to Christmas - Ralphie, The Parkers and Ensemble
- Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun - Ralphie and Jean
- It All Comes Down to Christmas (Reprise) - Ralphie and Company
- The Genius on Cleveland Street - The Old Man and Mother
- When You're a Wimp - Kids
- Ralphie to the Rescue - Ralphie, Miss Shields, The Old Man, Mother, Randy and Ensemble
- What a Mother Does - Mother
- A Major Award - The Old Man, Mother and Neighbors
- Parker Family Singalong - The Parkers
- Act One Finale - Ralphie and Ensemble
Act 2
- Entr' Acte - Orchestra
- Sticky Situation - Kids, Miss Shields, Nurse, Flick's Mom, Fireman, Policeman and Doctor
- You'll Shoot Your Eye Out - Miss Shields and Kids
- Just Like That - Mother
- At Higbee's - Elves
- Up on Santa's Lap - Santa, Elves, Ralphie, Randy and Kids
- Before the Old Man Comes Home - The Parkers
- Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana - Ralphie, Randy and Kids
- Ralphie to the Rescue (Reprise) - Ralphie and Ensemble
- A Christmas Story - The Parkers and Full Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A play in which a lead character narrates the events of the play, which are drawn from the character's memory.
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