Before Garrison Keillor invented Lake Woebegon, Minnesota, many of us heard tales of Hohman, Indiana, which in truth was Hammond, Ind., where Jean Shepherd grew. Shepherd was a raconteur, like Keillor, with the same leavening touch of homespun humor and the same universal appeal of stories from small-town America
Shepherd's most famous tale, "A Christmas Story," has been on paper, on radio, on small screen, on big screen and on stage, and the rich, charming, delightful show, written by Philip Grecian but based on the 1983 movie opened at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis last night to run through Dec. 27.
Interestingly, a musical version billed as a world premiere opened at the Kansas City Rep last weekend and the run already has been extended. Kansas City critics praised the show, which has a book by Joseph Robinette, music and lyrics by Scott Davenport Richards, and mentioned that there are plans -- or at least hope -- for a Broadway engagement next year.
The St. Louis version focuses on the story, of Ralphie Parker's yearning for a Red Ryder air rifle for Christmas and his plotting to win over his parents. Of course, he has all the requisite adventures, struggles in school, dealing with parents, a younger brother and a pretty blonde who is so attracted to him she cheerfully accepts a toy spider as a gift. Ralphie even has a fight with the neighborhood bully and while he suffers adversity, he also learns valuable lessons.
Director John McCluggage, a St. Louisan making his Mainstage debut, uses not only the stage but also the aisles for dramatic effect, and his work with children was especially strong. Robert Mark Morgan's set design, using the stage's turntable to give us inside and outside action at the Parker house, was fine. Dorothy Marshall Englis' costumes were just right, and hilarious in a dream sequence. Ralphie's pink bunny pajamas were another highlight. And Rusty Wandall's sound design highlighted action and dialogue throughout.
Jeff Talbott, strong a year ago as David Frost in "Frost/Nixon," stands out brilliantly as the grown-up Ralph Parker, reminiscing about a long-ago childhood. He's the narrator, the story-teller, and his pacing is just right. It's a terrific piece of acting.
Equally good is Jeff Gurner as Ralph Senior, generally referred to as "the old man." Irascible, short-tempered and assured that he is correct in every decision, Gurner battles clinkers in the coal furnace, wins the ugliest lamp in Western Civilization in a contest and thinks he's won the Mona Lisa. He appears to be less-than-deeply interested in his son, like sit-com fathers through history, but he proves that he is interested and does understand. So does Ralphie's mother, a fine, understated performance by Marnye Young, who is a perfect contrast and a perfect complement to Gurner. Susie Wall, as Miss Shields, the teacher, turns in a well-disciplined, tightly controlled, excellent performance.
The children do fine work, led by Jonathan Savage as young Ralphie, but don't overlook Caden Self, as his younger brother. The second grader has instinctive talents as a clown, which he displays so well when his winter clothing gets the better of him. The other four children Taylor Edlin and Jarrett Harkless, as Ralphie's friends and classmates,Flick and Schwartz, respectively, are fun, with Edlin successful with a running gag about his "sore arm." Julia Schweizer as Esther Jane and Sarah Koo as Helen echo the charm of the writing by Shepherd and Grecian. Drew Redington has the unhappy task of being the bully, only villain in the piece.
"A Christmas Story" is a fine choice for this time of year, more for what it is not than for what it is. For example, it is not maudlin or mawkish, it doesn't push one religion, or any religion, for that matter, as the be-all and the end-all. It's fun, and it's gentle, and it's a fine way for a family to spend some time together.
"A Christmas Story," by the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis at the Loretto-Hilton Center, through Dec. 27.
- Joe
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