(Cover Photo: The CAST of "A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL" by Joseph Robinette, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul now playing at Calliope Productions in Boylston, MA. through December 15, 2024. Photo Courtesy Calliope Productions)

By Kevin T. Baldwin

METRMAG Reviewer

# 774-242-6724

“My father worked in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay. It was his true medium, a master."

                     - ("Ralphie as an Adult") / Jean Shepherd

Calliope Productions

Presents 

"A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL" 

Book by Joseph Robinette

Music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

Director Chuck Grigaitis 

Music Director Kris Layton  

Choreographer Kait Eckstrom-Doig

Based on the motion picture “A Christmas Story” written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark and also on the book “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash” by Jean Shepherd 

Cast Includes: Scott Lyerly as “Jean Shepard,” Jack Ryan as “Ralphie,” Todd Vickstrom as “Old Man,” Paula Guilbault as “Mother,” Asher Lewis as “Randy,” A Foley as “Miss Shields,” Al Dano as “Santa,” Niklas Figueiredo as “Skut Farkus,” Graham Liporto as “Grover Dill,” Jacob Terlaje as “Schwartz,” Asher Wheaton as “Flick,” Brynlee Killeen as “Mary Beth,” Gracie O'Connor as “Esther Jane.”Ensemble: Myka Lewis, Kelton Torrey, Amalia Marie Harnois, Teagan Killeen, Norman Dubois, Tracy Martino, Elise Gallagher, Tom Jaquith-Houston, Derek Wolosz, Bethany Arsenault, Liz Couture, Lisa Tierney, Rob Killeen, Linnea Lyerly, James Candalino, Libbey Stearns.

Additional Creative Team:

Fight Choreography - Paul Spanagel; Stage Manager/Assistant Director - Kyle Collins;  Stage Crew - Joe Moynihan;  Set Design - Bob Reidy, Dave Ludt; Lighting - Dave Ludt; Sound - Rob Killeen; Props - Kim LiPuma, Bob Reidy, Derek Wolosz, Al Dano; Costumes - Donna Reidy, Jan Fuller; “Kid Wrangler” - Kendall Fuller; Dance Captain - Libbey Stearns

Performances:

December 6, 2024 through December 15, 2024 

(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)

CALLIOPE THEATRE, 150 Main Street, in Boylston, MA.

TICKETS: 

For tickets and more information contact the Box Office at 508-869-6887 or visit https://www.ticketstage.com/T/CALLIOPE

BUY TICKETS 

COVID 19 PROTOCOLS

Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.

The latest offering at the Calliope Productions is an ambitious musical staging of "A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL" featuring a fine principal cast and ensemble. 

Based on the 1983 Bob Clark film, the show provides a festive musical presence for this holiday season. 

Taken from Jean Shepherd's semi-fictional anecdotes from his 1966 book “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash,” this stage adaptation features a solid book by acclaimed writer Joseph Robinette and a score by the team of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. 

There is also a popular non-musical version of the show, as well – and while "A CHRISTMAS STORY" might seem like routine holiday fare, the addition of the pleasing score elevates it. 

(Photo: Paula Guilbault as “Mother,” Asher Lewis as “Randy,” Jack Ryan as “Ralphie” and Todd Vickstrom as the “Old Man” in a scene from "A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL" by Joseph Robinette, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul now playing at Calliope Productions in Boylston, MA. through December 15, 2024. Photo Courtesy Calliope Productions)

The music by EGOT (Emmy, Oscar, Grammy, Tony) and Golden Globe Award-winning songwriters Pasek and Paul (known for their work on the Broadway juggernaut “Dear Evan Hansen”) succeeds in not allowing the Robinette stage adaptation to become too saccharine. 

There are one or two ensemble numbers in "A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL" that do veer off into veritable atonal riffs that make the harmonies difficult to enjoy. 

However, the overall enthusiasm conveyed by the Calliope Productions cast more than compensates for this. 

The combined efforts of the entire Calliope cast and creative team is led by director Chuck Grigaitis, Music Director Kris Layton and Choreographer Kait Eckstrom-Doig, helping to keep the musical both spirited and well-executed. 

The book for "A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL" by Robinette - a Tony® Award nominee and Drama Desk Award nominee for the show’s libretto - is effective in capturing all the Americana elements of the much-loved movie. 

From the lively opening production number, "It All Comes Down to Christmas," the classic story unfolds before the audience primarily through one voice: “Jean.” 

“Jean” would be the actual Jean Shepherd but here in the story Shepherd is represented as “Ralphie Parker” as an adult (played by Scott Lyerly) who reminisces about one specific Christmas, in 1940’s Indiana, when he was nine years-old and simply called “Ralphie” (portrayed by young actor Jack Ryan).

(Photo: Jack Ryan as “Ralphie” with members of the CAST of "A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL" by Joseph Robinette, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul now playing at Calliope Productions in Boylston, MA. through December 15, 2024. Photo Courtesy Calliope Productions)

Lyerly is completely engaging as the adult Ralphie (again, aka Jean Shepherd), waxing sentimental about this cherished memory and how it would ultimately affect his entire life. 

Ryan exudes charm, has an excellent voice, and brings an impish sense of humor to Ralphie - traits shared by his young counterparts, especially in the number "Red Ryder Carbine-Action BB Gun."  

Yes, for those that know the story backward and forward, (although forward is arguably better), the only thing young Ralphie wants for Christmas that year is an official “Red Ryder BB gun.” 

To be more specific, he wants: “an official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time.”

(Remember all of that, too, as there WILL be a quiz immediately following the show, most likely on somebody’s car ride home or to go and pick up a Christmas tree – careful not to get a flat tire along the way.) 

However, Ralphie first needs to convince his financially stressed-out Old Man (Todd Vickstrom) and Mother (Paula Guilbault) to let him have the BB gun, and neither of his parents seems to be giving his holiday need the attention he feels it deserves.  

Guilbault is wonderfully subdued in the ode to gender role acceptance, "What a Mother Does" and then later in the more wistful and melancholier "Just Like That" (some may also note that this songwriting team from “Hansen” seem to have a certain knack writing for mothers). 

Conversely, Vickstrom, with help from the enthusiastic ensemble, lifts the energy level of the Old Man character with the playful, delightful (and a little bit frightful) "A Major Award" after winning the iconic "leg lamp" made (in)famous by the film. 

Vickstrom also displays the Old Man’s more ambitious, competitive side in the number “Genius on Cleveland Street” with Guilbault. 

(Photo: Scott Lyerly as “Jean Shepard” in a scene from "A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL" by Joseph Robinette, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul now playing at Calliope Productions in Boylston, MA. through December 15, 2024. Photo Courtesy Calliope Productions)

Another noteworthy performance comes from Asher Lewis as Ralphie’s younger brother Randy, who has a bizarre eating routine (yet nothing so severe that it risks becoming the subject of a Hulu documentary). 

Of the supporting ensemble, both adult and young, all are energetic and display great versatility in taking on multiple roles throughout the show. 

Costuming for the production instantly recalls the classic motion picture, a tribute to the collective effort of the entire costuming team.

The ensemble also deserves great praise for managing the multiple set changes that occur during the two-and-a-half-hour musical. 

A Foley as Ralphie's teacher, "Miss Shields," performs admirably with members of the youth ensemble in the tap number, "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out.” 

These young performers, in general, are talented and carry a good portion of the show’s content, doing so in a completely professional manner - and Eckstrom-Doig’s choreography highlights the varied strengths of this young talent quite nicely. 

While the full score may not be all that memorable (certainly not coming from the same duo responsible for “Dear Evan Hansen”) it does have some pleasing material well-suited to the fine voices within the Calliope cast. 

(Photo: Jack Ryan as “Ralphie,” Todd Vickstrom as “Old Man” and Paula Guilbault as “Mother” in a scene from "A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL" by Joseph Robinette, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul now playing at Calliope Productions in Boylston, MA. through December 15, 2024. Photo Courtesy Calliope Productions)

The set design is effective, especially when it comes to the intricacies of the Parker home. 

Given certain stage restrictions, the larger ensemble numbers risk being cumbersome, although this is well-compensated by the cleverly constructed single set and the insightful implementation of an added scrim. 

This also allows for the elimination of a constructed “upstairs area” of the Parker household, opting instead for the more effective usage of a “portable bunkbed” which only appears briefly during Act Two. 

Outstanding musical numbers featuring the younger cast include "When You're a Wimp" and “Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana.” 

Among the adult ensemble numbers, the show’s opener "It All Comes Down to Christmas" is a terrific way to kick off the show. 

When the dedicated adult and youth ensemble are divided into their respective groups instead of sharing the stage all together, far more of the blocking and choreography is able to be observed and enjoyed.

(Photo: The CAST of "A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL" by Joseph Robinette, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul now playing at Calliope Productions in Boylston, MA. through December 15, 2024. Photo Courtesy Calliope Productions)

Be it the original movie, the play or musical, "A CHRISTMAS STORY" is Americana, taking us on a nostalgic look at mid-20th century American life. 

Through its depiction of a small-town family during the holiday season, so many aspects still resonate with its audience who view "A CHRISTMAS STORY" as a cherished “snapshot” of American culture.

Evidenced by the Calliope musical production, there is also still a tremendous sweetness to this story which is as infectious as it is heartwarming, making it a fine family holiday outing.

"A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL" plays in Boylston until December 15^th and, even if people attend just to see the "Major Award" or to hear the classic line "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out Kid," they will still leave the theatre in a far more cheerful mood than when they arrived. 

Coming up after the holidays at Calliope will be "CELEBRATE LOVE" - a new musical revue in February, followed by the play "THE CEMETERY CLUB" by Ivan Menchell beginning March 20, 2025.

For tickets and more information contact the Calliope Productions Box Office at # 508-869-6887 or visit https://www.ticketstage.com/T/CALLIOPE

BUY TICKETS 

Approximately two hours, 30 minutes with one intermission.

Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)

@MetrmagReviews

@Theatre_Critics

ABOUT THE SHOW

The songwriting team behind the smash hit, Tony® Award-winning musical "Dear Evan Hansen" also gave us the endearing "A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL" based on the iconic 1983 movie. 

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul provided the score with a book written by notable playwright Joseph Robinette based on the writings of late longtime radio humorist Jean Shepherd. 

A big part of the ongoing appeal is how the musical does not poke fun of its characters but rather celebrates a simpler time as recalled in the story taking place in middle America. 

"A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL" is set during the holiday season in a small, snow covered Depression-era town in Indiana. 

The story centers on young Ralphie, who has his heart set on only one gift for Christmas - an official Red Ryder BB gun. 

To be more specific: “an official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time.” 

This musical adaptation premiered on Broadway in 2012 and was both a critical and commercial success, and was nominated for three Tony® Awards including Best New Musical, Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical. 

"A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL" recalls many fan-favorite scenes from the film that included a strange assortment of items such as a leg lamp, a couple of mean dogs, an even meaner department store Santa, bunny pajamas, a freezing flagpole and more.(STAGEAGENT)

ABOUT CALLIOPE PRODUCTIONS

CALLIOPE PRODUCTIONS is a year-round non-profit theatre company founded in 1982 that serves the needs and interests of audiences and performers in the Central Massachusetts region. CALLIOPE PRODUCTIONS presents six main-stage productions each year, and operates performance training workshops for students (ages 9 - 18) and adults. CALLIOPE PRODUCTIONS is a member of the American Association of Community Theatre, the Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Theatres and the Worcester Cultural Coalition.

CALLIOPE PRODUCTIONS

150 Main Street

Boylston, MA. 01505

# 508-869-6887

www.calliopeproductions.org