If you want to leave the “Bah Humbugs” of a troubling world behind and return to the dream of better days, take your family and loved ones to see this outstanding production come to life.
By John Lavitt
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 12/17/2023 – Ah, even in the sunny climate of Southern California, it is hard to ignore the Scrooge rising in all of our souls this holiday season as conflicts rage and politicians bicker.
However, if you wish to escape the grayness of the current zeitgeist, then “A Christmas Story, The Musical” at the Ahmanson Theatre is the perfect antidote. Once again, the Center Theatre Group steps up during the holiday season to put on a brilliantly executed production that captures the childlike spirit and magic of the season.
Wonderfully directed by Matt Lenz with precise, flowing choreography by Warren Carlyle, this production does justice to the classical source material, even eclipsing it at certain moments.
From the renowned songwriting team of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who won a Tony Award for “Dear Evan Hansen” and an Academy Award for La La Land, the musical is nothing less than the establishment of what should become a new holiday tradition. Indeed, the musical is lovely to behold, along with an excellent book by Joseph Robinette that brings the original back to life.
Set in 1940s Indiana, “A Christmas Story, The Musical” tells the story of the Christmas dream of bespectacled Ralphie Parker as he tries to figure out how in the heck to convince his parent to get him the Christmas gift of his dreams: An official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. Whenever he even raises the idea, the response is the same from every adult in sight or site (both work in this context) — “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!”.
As played by Kai Edgar, Ralphie is the center of the story, and the young actor does incredibly well to keep the audience fully engaged in his passionate quest for a present. With a strong voice and a bright smile, it is easy to empathize with Ralphie’s big dream, and he provides a viable identification point for both children and adults. Without any question, the play is an ideal landing spot for the whole family.
Although the entire cast is stellar, the highlights are Eric Petersen and Sabrina Sloan, who play Ralphie’s parents. As Ralphie’s Mother, Sabrina Sloan is the glue that holds the family and the emotional center of the musical together.
Beautiful and a bit bedraggled like any busy mom around the holidays, her lovely presence is emotionally reassuring within and beyond the narrative. Indeed, when she sings “What A Mother Does,” it feels like she is the archetypal voice for all the world’s mothers, showing how love triumphs no matter the demands or the cost. Sabrina Sloan helps us feel better about ourselves and our lives in such trying times.
As the Old Man, Eric Petersen is the comic engine of the storyline as his passionate desire for some kind of significance engulfs his attention and his family. When he becomes “The Genius of Cleveland Street” for a brief shining moment, we revel by his side, hoping that the minor triumph of a sexy plastic leg lamp as a grand prize will last just a little longer.
From the beginning to the end, Eric Petersen allows the Old Man’s humanity to shine bright, and we are not surprised by the loving nature of his choices. There is no question that we are watching much more than an Old Man: We are watching the expression of the American Dream’s Good Man.
If the Old Man represents the American Dream’s Good Man, Christmas represents the American Dream’s Holiday. Indeed, no holiday captures the abundance and joy of Lady Liberty better than Christmas, with shopping and snowmen, eggnog, and Santa Claus.
Thus, visiting Santa Claus at the Department Store is one of the finest scenes that brings almost every adult back to childhood. I can feel the excitement of the past returning when I think about it. Oh, how that poor man dressed in some old costume represented the realization of my dreams for an amazing Christmas morning.
As a disgruntled Santa Claus, Kyle Montgomery is fun to watch and quite funny. The parade of kids overwhelms him, and he doesn’t even give in to the ultimate cuteness of Izzy Pike as Mary Beth.
Throughout the play, in an ensemble of excellent child actors, Izzy Pike stands out among the girls with an appealing spirit that captures the tone of the musical. Among the boys, Zeke Bernier, as Grover Dill, stands so much taller than he must appear in real life. The charm and talent of this boy is undeniable and a pleasure to behold.
Overall, “A Christmas Story, The Musical” is a joy to experience from beginning to end. If you need the ideal escape from the doldrums of this tiring world, there are no better choices to make than to see this production and enter into Ralphie’s innocent dream.
Although the fudge handed out at the press screening after the show was sweet, nothing could be sweeter than the experience of being in the audience and relishing this heartfelt show.
