BWW Reviews: Return to Yesteryear in A CHRISTMAS STORY

A Christmas Story

Based on the motion picture A Christmas Story, Written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, and Bob Clark, and on the book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Sheperd; Adapted/Written by Philip Grecian, Directed by Diego Arciniegas; Dahlia Al-Habieli, Scenic Design; Katherine O'Neill, Costume Design; Franklin Meissner, Jr., Lighting Design; David Wilson, Sound Design; Lauren L. Duffy, Properties Design; Phill Madore, Stage Manager; Misaki Nishimiya, Assistant Stage Manager

CAST (in alphabetical order):  Barlow Adamson (Narrator/Ralph), Margaret Ann Brady (Ensemble), Charlie Brodigan (Flick), Andrew Cekala (Young Ralphie), Amelia Doyle (Scut Farkas), Owen Doyle (The Old Man); David Farwell (Randy), Stacy Fischer (Mother), Adam Freeman (Schwartz), Claudia Q. Nolan (Helen), Lexi Ryan (Esther Jane), Gerard Slattery (Ensemble)

Performances through December 24 by New Repertory Theatre and arsenalArts in the Charles Mosesian Theatre at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA; Box Office 617-923-8487 or www.newrep.org

If you long for the good old days and think that the holidays were simpler and more meaningful in the rear view mirror, then guide your sleigh to the Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown for the New Repertory Theatre and arsenalArts production of A Christmas Story. Based on the 1983 film of the same name and the Jean Sheperd book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash, this humorous and heartwarming tale of Christmas past focuses on one boy's quest for the best present ever and the lessons he learns about the importance of family and love in the season of giving.

Director Diego Arciniegas and his team of designers envelop the audience in the atmosphere of the 1940s in Hohman, Indiana, where children trudge through the snow to school, wrapped up like mummies in layer upon layer of sweaters, mufflers, and mittens, and where the adults receive nothing but bills in the mail, yet do their best to make Christmas a special family time. Katherine O'Neill's costumes evoke the styles of the day and Dahlia Al-Habieli's set places the Parkers in a homey, if worn, kitchen and parlor. A couple of pieces of scenery that serve as exterior building walls do double duty as the children's classroom and Santa's throne at Goldblatt's Department Store. The floor of the stage is painted to appear snow-covered, and the schoolyard flagpole looms ominously, awaiting its iconic moment.

Barlow Adamson plays the adult Ralph and narrates the story, reminiscing about that year when pre-pubescent Ralphie Parker's must have Christmas gift was an OFFICIAL RED RYDER carbine action 200-shot RANGE MODEL AIR RIFLE (with a compass and a sundial set in the stock). He is an amiable guide, walking us back in time to set the scene and introduce The Players, always present for the action, but never visible to the others. Adamson does a great job showing excitement when he describes the rifle and the ways in which Ralphie tries to convince his parents to buy it for him. Undeterred by his mother's declaration that, "You'll shoot your eye out," the boy persistently places magazine ads for the BB gun under The Old Man's nose, in the mail pile, and even on his dad's clothing. 

Stacy Fischer and Owen Doyle take just the right tone as the parents. Mother watches out for her boys (David Farwell is a riot in his debut as Ralphie's kid brother Randy), but is the kind of no-nonsense, "father knows best" homemaker you'd expect to find from that era. The Old Man acts like he rules the roost, but they both know who's really in charge. Underneath his gruff exterior, Doyle gives the father a soft center, and shares an authentic bond with Fischer and the kids.

Andrew Cekala (Young Ralphie) is a natural, never letting his acting show. He is all boy, whether rough housing with his buddies, shyly conversing with the girl he likes, or figuring out ways to get around his parents. He works well with his alter ego Adamson, especially when he mouths words that the older Ralph speaks. Adam Freeman (Schwartz) and Charlie Brodigan (Flick) are also quite natural in their portrayals. As the unfortunate boy who gets his tongue stuck on the frozen flagpole, Brodigan appropriately garbles his speech following the incident. Amelia Doyle is fearsome as the bully Scut Farkas, and Lexi Ryan (Esther Jane) and Claudia Q. Nolan (Helen) show the coyness necessary to attract the boys while saving their smarts for the classroom.

Perhaps owing to the fact that the story is told from the child's perspective, the grownups behave in comical ways, often appearing cartoonish or inept. The remaining adult roles are played by Margaret Ann Brady (teacher, Christmas tree vendor) and Gerard Slattery (neighbor, delivery man, Santa Claus). They each get their chance to shine, with Slattery going over the top as a less-than-loving St. Nick awaiting the 5 o'clock whistle; while Brady gets all hot and bothered in a fantasy reading of Ralphie's homework assignment. Doyle sinks his teeth into several humorous bits, none funnier than The Old Man's adoration of the lamp he wins in a contest.

A Christmas Story is a nostalgia piece that reminds everyone of their own past celebrations and traditions. As Ralph relives his innocent boyhood, with a wistful appreciation of all that life gave him in small town Indiana, it is an opportunity for us to appreciate the simpler things, too. In the final tableau, in the glow of the Christmas tree lights, the parents look lovingly across the room at their sons. With their arms around each other, the brothers gaze out the window at the falling snow, secure in the love of their family.

 

Photo credit: Andrew Brilliant/Brilliant Pictures (David Farwell as Randy, Stacy Fischer as Mother, Andrew Cekala as Ralphie, Owen Doyle as The Old Man)