A Christmas Story

By Philip Grecian. Based on the motion picture A Christmas Story, © 1983 Turner Entertainment Co., distributed by Warner Bros., written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark; and on the book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd.

Produced by April Bridgeman

Directed by Leah Daily

Humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoir of growing up in the midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself at Higbee’s Department Store. The consistent response: “You’ll shoot your eye out!” All the elements from the beloved motion picture are here, including the family’s temperamental exploding furnace; Scut Farkas, the school bully; the boys’ experiment with a wet tongue on a cold lamppost; the Little Orphan Annie decoder pin; Ralphie’s father winning a lamp shaped like a woman’s leg in a net stocking; Ralphie’s fantasy scenarios and more. A Christmas Story is destined to become a theatrical holiday perennial.

Auditions will be held on on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 27 and 28 from 6:00 – 8:00pm. No appointment necessary; come early if possible. Callbacks, if necessary, will be held on Thursday, August 29 from 6:00 – 8:00pm. Please complete an audition form. Sign up to attend the audition here. Rehearsals will begin with a readthrough on Wednesday, September 4.

Performances will be held from December 7 – 23, 2024.

Character Descriptions: All roles are open. 

Ralph – A good-natured curmudgeon with a deadpan sense of humor, “Ralph” focuses the action, keeps the story moving and holds the audiences’ attention with his presence and spark.

Ralphie – A 5th grade boy who wants an Air Rifle for Christmas: specifically the Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun. He is a bright, winsome, mischievous, cute kid…someone you wouldn’t mind having as a next door neighbor. (He might shovel your driveway for you–and then use your shovel as a sled!)  Ralphie’s imagination runs wild.

The Old Man –  Gruff and grumbling on the exterior, Ralphie’s Dad has a good heart. He doesn’t overtly show it, but he does love his family. He’s a blue collar guy, he usually expects the worst out of most situations; but is transformed into a true “song and dance” man in his moments of fantasy.

Mom –  She is the secret engine that runs the family, keeping the household together with a smile–despite bickering children, limited funds, an xrated lamp in the living room window, a cranky furnace and a crankier husband. She would never let The Old Man know that she is more in charge than he is! Vibrant, warm, affable–but not a pushover–she is always busy, especially anytime she is in the kitchen, and even more so at Christmastime!

Randy – Ralphie’s younger brother, tries to keep up with him, and is young enough that he can be convinced to eat his dinner like a baby piggy!

Miss Shields – Ralphie’s 5th grade teacher, a 1940s educator, she is prim and proper but stern when necessary–though warm and even humorous when the situation merits it.

Flick – He is a classmate and best buddy of Ralphie’s; Flick is the guinea pig in the flagpole licking experiment.

Schwartz: Also a classmate and best buddy of Ralphie; Schwartz becomes the scapegoat when Ralphie utters an unmentionable word.

Esther Jane – She is the student that always has the answer in class and loves doing homework, getting the best of grades. She has a crush on Ralphie

Helen – Best friend of Esther Jane, and knows all about her “crush”

Scut Farkas – He is a textbook example of a schoolyard bully, Scut is loud, obnoxious and intimidating. This truant is a year or two older than Ralphie and his friends, and wears a perpetual scowl under his coonskin cap. He always appears at the most inopportune time to harass his victims. In the end, when he shows himself to be the biggest coward of all.

Grumpy Elf – One of Santa’s helpers, keeps that line at Macy’s moving! Will be merry when Christmas is over – Bah Humbug!

Happy Elf – He is a happy Santa’s helper – loves seeing all the kids line up for their photos with Santa.

Santa – well he’s Santa….