Review By Sydney Stringfellow, Front Row Reviewers
Walking into Orem’s SCERA Center for the Arts, I was feeling the holiday spirit. Christmas music played as we viewed a stunning set of a classic suburban home where A Christmas Story: The Musical takes place.
A Christmas Story: The Musical follows Ralphie Parker (Liam Kaufman) (and his future, older self as the narrator) as he daydreams and conspires to get himself a BB gun for Christmas. A Christmas Story began as a low budget movie that came out in 1983. Audiences easily related to the nostalgia and chaos portrayed around the holiday season, and it quickly became a holiday classic. Book by Joseph Robinette, music by Ben Pasek and Justin Paul, this musical takes the same story as the movie and expands on it with bright musical numbers and hilarious lyrics, while keeping true to the same feeling the we’ve enjoyed for years.
The SCERA Theater is a dynamic venue, perfect for fast set changes and repeating jokes throughout the show. The music (Emily Hawkes) keeps you engaged, the set design (Zippy Hellewell) is massive, the costumes (Kelsey Seaver) are classic, and the overall performance is inspired. Perhaps the most impressive part of this show is the intricate choreography (Rebecca Boberg) that is performed so well. Director Kurt Elison had a clear vision for the project, and it plays out perfectly.
The true star of this production is the acting and musical talent that exudes from the entire cast, especially considering how young most of them are. From the first scene with our narrator (Ed Eyestone), the audience is in for a dynamic and involved ride through the story. His chemistry and performance alongside Kaufman as Ralphie blows the audience away. Their comedic timing and larger than life acting completely immerses each watcher. Mother and The Old Man (Cassidy Gunderson and Bryan Harper) also give incredible, heartfelt performances. Their fight on Christmas Eve and proceeding forgiveness brought me to tears as I was reminded of what really matters during the holidays — family.
As someone with little brothers, Randy Parker (James “Jeb” Buffington) feels so real to me. Buffington pours his whole heart into his performance. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing at times during the bold, flashy musical numbers that the entire adult ensemble, classroom children, and children ensemble put on. Multiple times I turned to the friend with me in shock at how incredible these performances were. This is a talented cast you do not want to miss.
The music in this show is catchy and lively, making it enjoyable for anyone. It is important to note that while fun and (mostly) clean, there are a few jokes and words used that may be more fitting for adult ears. However, a lot of them are designed to go right over the heads of children in the audience. By the time the curtain falls, there is not a dry eye in the room and every audience member leaves full of holiday spirit.
SCERA Center for the Arts presents A Christmas Story: The Musical Book by Joseph Robinette, music by Ben Pasek and Justin Paul.
SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 South State Street, Orem, UT 84058
December 6-21 @ 7:30 PM
Tickets: $12–14
Contact: 801-225-ARTS
SCERA Center for the Arts Facebook Page
Photos by Rachael Gibson
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