By McKenzie Synal
A Christmas Story is best known as the classic film, but this review isn’t meant to be a comparison to that as I feel the play stands alone in its own right. There is a myriad of surprises, expertly placed by Director Kurt Elison and his team. They succeed in getting giggles and guffaws from every age audience member. Telling this classic story in such a way that movie lovers and first-time goers will both be enchanted and transported for an evening of fun is no easy feat and SCERA does it perfectly!
Acting begins before the lights are up with Santa ringing the bell for the Salvation Army- soliciting donations from those walking by. Ed Eyestone as Jean Shepherd/Narrator guides us throughout the story and his interactions during each scene are golden. He pivots between a background narrator and an interacting character depending on the scene and song. Eyestone’s wonderful comedic timing and powerful narrative voice are the perfect lead for this show.
I love the incorporation of him in the songs “Red Ryder Carbine-Action BB Gun” and “Ralphie to the Rescue!” In fact, “Ralphie to the Rescue!” is my favorite song from A Christmas Story, it shows the daydreaming and imagination of young children and has a chorus that will get stuck in your head. There are several moments where actors sing or imagine a different reality and the expert lighting by Chase Elison emphasizes those imaginative moments. The costuming done by Deborah Bowman is true to the era and time- Randy’s puffy snowsuit and the cowboy costumes stood out the most to me. I also loved the variety of colors and dresses used in the tap dance number. The Choreography by Jeanna Cunnigham is fantastic, especially with such a large cast. They never seemed to be competing for space or bumping into each other. Caitylyn Galvez as Miss. Shields along with Tate Mcbeth as Ralphie and the child actors tackle a difficult tap dance in “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out” with tons of energy and enthusiasm.
“A Major Award” is a crowd-pleasing song with the iconic leg lamp being highlighted in a totally unique way. I will say making sure the gold sequins don’t show under winter coats and scarves prior to that song would make that dramatic reveal more surprising. When they opened the box revealing the lamp, a young audience member behind me quipped “Hey that’s the same one we have!” causing giggles to erupt as parents shushed the child. Mark Buffington as The Old Man (Ralphie’s Father) is an inventive curser and plays his role with aplomb, joyously celebrating his award and falling to the depths of despair when it breaks. His onstage chemistry with Celeste Harris as Mother and the entire family dynamics really set this play apart. It shows a true family dynamic complete with bickering boys, arguing parents, and a dad that manages to show love in his own special way. Harris has a solo “What a Mother Does” that highlights the feelings of motherhood as her own sons interrupt her song and require time and attention from her. She is definitely the glue that keeps the family functioning and keeps the holiday traditions alive. Her bond with the boys is sweet and stern in turn as she punishes Ralphie for his “Oh Fudge” moment. Mcbeth is an excellent lead and I love his character arc. He is certainly a triple threat with his acting, singing, and dancing skills all being top-notch.
The ensemble is humorous and gets a huge laugh every time they pop out to highlight the coveted Red Ryder rifle. The child ensemble has large roles and nailed the song “When You’re A Wimp”. Which is reminiscent of a Matilda song with its rebellious attitude. Mitt Harris as Schwartz has a strong stage presence for someone so young and is someone to keep an eye on to play Ralphie in future years.
The attention to detail is astonishing in the Parker’s home and in the toy shop that includes a slide and stairs. This is due to a large team of set carpenters and designers led by Zippy Hellewell. The home is a lovely two-story with fully functioning doors, a four-door drivable car, and a cozy lived-in feel that is accentuated by the knickknacks and furnishings adorning the walls and stage. The scene changes are done flawlessly and keep the energy and attention up for the duration of the show. My son who is 11 loved it so much that he wants to take the whole family back. This is one show I wouldn’t mind watching again. This is a new Christmas tradition for my family and one I highly recommend this holiday season.
Call SCERA Center for the Arts today at 801-225-2787 or reserve your tickets by going online to https://scera.org
This show is appropriate for all ages, however, there is some mild cussing.
SCERA Center for the Arts presents A Christmas Story, the Musical by Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul Book by Joseph Robinette
745 S State St, Orem, UT 84058
December 2 – December 17: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays Every evening at 7:30pm
Get your tickets by calling us at 801-225-2787 or online at https://scera.org
Tickets: Adults- $14, Child (Ages 3-11)- $12 and Seniors- $12
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