MANSFIELD – The Renaissance Theatre’s upcoming performance of “A Christmas Story: The Musical” can be described using an f-word: funny.
Diehard fans of the classic holiday movie were probably expecting a different f-word. Not to worry – all the classic lines are right there in the script. But added to the story of Ralphie and his quest for the Red Ryder BB Gun are a handful of new songs, and a lot of heart.
“This show is a very heartwarming show, and if you want to have a good laugh you have all the classic scenes like with the leg lamp,” said 12-year-old Will Gorgas, who plays the character Ralphie in two shows.
“It’s a lot like the movie, but it’s also got our own little spin on it,” added 13-year-old Bryce Dials, who plays Ralphie for the remaining two shows.
Both Dials and Gorgas are sharing the role of Ralphie as well as the role of Flick. Balancing two major characters at the same time presented quite the challenge.
“It’s definitely a lot more to prepare for, especially Ralphie being the main character and Flick being a major supporting character,” said Gorgas, who make his Renaissance debut with this show. “It was pretty challenging, but it was fun.”
“I spent one week working on one part, and the next week working on the other part,” said Dials, a native of Willard. “It’s also nice because you get to take breaks, one day you get to be the big part but then you get a break to rebuild.”
Joining Gorgas and Dials in key roles on stage is Rusty Cates, Maddie Beer, Colton Penwell, and Landon Flint. In total, nearly 30 local performers create the cast.
Bringing to life the curmudgeonly Old Man is Penwell, playing opposite his real-life wife Maddie Beer as the Mother. Memorizing the script came easy for Penwell, who has been a fan of the movie since the age of 10.
“I got a Red Ryder BB Gun for my birthday the year after seeing the movie,” Penwell said. “When I went to buy a house like a grown-up, I said the first thing I was going to do was buy a leg lamp for Christmas.”
Penwell said he brings a bit more substances to the Old Man, as opposed to simply the grumpy man yelling at the Bumpus hounds (though he does that, too). However, playing such an iconic character means not straying too far from its original form.
“You don’t want to carbon copy what Darren McGavin did in the movie, but at the same time you don’t want to take it so far away from what that incredibly familiar character is that it’s unrecognizable,” he said.
The main difference from the movie to the stage version of “A Christmas Story” is of course, the music. The Broadway musical was composed by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, best known for award-winning hits like “Dear Evan Hansen” and “La La Land.” But it made director Michael Thomas a bit hesitant.
“To take the lines that are so iconic from the film and turn them into a musical number, it could verge on cheesy,” Thomas said. “That was my initial knee-jerk reaction, but when you stop and listen to it, it’s so smart.”
In addition to direction by Thomas, the production has music direction by Kelly Knowlton, choreography by Shannon Maloney, and set design by Jason Kaufman.
Considering the major plot line in the movie, the question begs to be asked: what’s the one thing on your Christmas list this year? For Penwell, it’s a new truck. Dials wants a new golf set to continue his newfound hobby, and Gorgas wants a speed Rubix cube. But for Thomas?
“This is crazy, but I love getting socks and dish towels,” he said with a laugh. “All these things I looked at as a kid and thought why would old people want these things. Now I just think that would be so nice to have.”
The Renaissance Theatre presents “A Christmas Story” on November 11 and 18 at 8 p.m. and November 12 and 19 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now starting at $15 at MansfieldTickets.com, as well as at the Renaissance Box Office and via phone at (419) 522-2726.
