Bring Back Childhood Memories of the Holidays with A Christmas Story, The Musical at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City, Utah

By Holly Gould

A Christmas Story, The Musical at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City, Utah brings to mind a flood of precious childhood memories during this delightful holiday season. Based on the 1983 movie that is a seasonal favorite to many, this unique story premiered on Broadway in 2012 and was celebrated for its success.  Joseph Robinette joins his entertaining script with the Tony and Academy award-winning songwriting team of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul for a night brimming with Christmas cheer and sentimental sparkle.

Ralphie Parker (Ian Shaw/Tommy Druhaun) has a Christmas wish.  It’s the biggest wish that he has ever had.  He wants an official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle. The problem is that he must convince his parents to get him one when every responsible adult’s response is “You’ll shoot your eye out!”  He encounters many distractions while on his quest to make his dreams come true, all while clinging desperately to the hope that some way, somehow, his wish will be fulfilled.

Director Matt Lenz leads an amazing cast and versatile ensemble of true to life characters who openly invite you to experience this story with them. Choreography (Warren Carlyle) and lighting (Charlie Morrison) work together beautifully to hold the audience members’ attention and to highlight every thought. Scenic design by Michael Carnahan is stunning, and shows each setting from the Parker home to Santa’s wonderland in perfect snow globe scenes.

The audience is quickly captivated by the masterful storytelling of Chris Carsten, who plays radio announcer. Carsten’s narration throughout the show carries us along the storyline with childlike enthusiasm and aged wisdom at the same time.  His reactions go seamlessly along with Ralphie’s tale as he laughs and giggles, or cringes with dreaded anticipation, or mimics every childhood feeling with the other characters in the show.

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Shaw’s portrayal of Ralphie Parker shows us the true yearnings of childhood as he does everything he can to get his beloved BB gun. His impressive vocal ability is consistently pleasing with his sweet voice that is bright and clear. He carries us through his imagination in the creatively choreographed “Ralphie to the Rescue.” We witness the sweet relationship that Ralphie has with his brother Randy (William Colin). While the whining younger brother is played to perfection by Colin, ultimately the big brother always steps up to help and protect when needed.

Briana Gantsweg (Mother) gives a tender portrayal that genuinely expresses the love that flows from mother to child while still experiencing the ups and downs of family life. While she starts the show with a frantic energy, she soon shows the steady and flexible ways that moms must use to hold a family together, and her motherly wisdom beautifully shines during her performance of “Just Like That.”

My favorite character of the night is The Old Man, Ralphie’s father, played by Christopher Swan.  Prolific profanity, and comedic crankiness are abundant, while we see this man proudly work to provide for his family, while longing for recognition beyond his reach.  Swan is handed some of the funniest moments of the evening, including “A Major Award”, where glowing legs and amazing lights are brought together with masterful dancing in a show stopping smash.

The kids’ ensemble are such professionals. Each time the group comes onstage, there is pure magic. Bright faces and earnest hearts come through no matter which child you look at. Standouts include friends Flick and Schwartz, (Jay Hendrix, Seth Black Diamond) who teach us never to mix your tongue with a freezing flagpole, and the villainous vipers of the playground Farkus and Dill, (Ty Huffman and John Mahanna) who remind us of the terrible trauma of our own school yard bullies.

One more personality that I can’t forget is Lauren Kent’s Miss Shields. Her no-nonsense attitude with her students is contrasted with Ralphie’s daydreams of the doting, loving teacher who puts him on a pedestal. Kent is backed by the kids in a delightful tap number “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out.” Her sassy, strong vocals are matched with her high energy dancing alongside Colin, who steals the show with his tap-dancing mastery.

The excitement of Christmas time is magical, with a festive spirit that is hard to resist. A Christmas Story, The Musical evokes childhood memories of youthful delight, along with a clear message that at the heart of all the bustling chaos, this holiday comes down to the love of our families, whatever our imperfect situations may be.  The sentimental ending leaves us with misty eyes and warm hearts, inspiring us to feel the magic of the season more deeply. The Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City is the perfect place for this joyous and loving tale that just might become a favorite family tradition.

Broadway at the Eccles presents A Christmas Story, The Musical, Book by Joseph Robinette, Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
Eccles Theater, 131 South Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
December 3-8, 2019 Monday-Thursday 7:30 PM, Friday 8:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 8:00 PM, Sunday 1:00 PM, 6:30 PM
Tickets: $50-120 
Contact: 801-355-ARTS (2787)
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