A Christmas Story
Subject: Quicktake - "A Christmas Story" by Philip Grecian
based on Jean Sheperd's 1983 film and other tales
Date: Sat. Dec. 2, 11:13 PM
Quicktake on A CHRISTMAS STORY
Philip Grecian's stage adaptation in 2000 of radio humorist Jean Sheperd's 1983 film, "A Christmas Story" has become a community theatre staple in the last few years. The Stoneham Theatre's second professional production, directed this year by veteran Massachusetts director and playwright Jack Neary, has a depth and timing that can be difficult to achieve. It also boasts a different cast from last year, headed by Robert D. Murphy who's been widely seen around the area as The Old Man with Derek Santos, from Stoneham's Young Company Summer Program, as his son, Ralphie, the third grader who wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Lisa Tucker, a founding member of Beau Jest who was seen last season in "A Prayer for Owen Meany", is Mother. Seven year old Evan Robinson-Johnson completes the Parker family as Randy, the little brother who likes to hide.
All the other adults in the show are played by Penny Benson, who appears as Miss Shields and the Department Store Elf, and Michael G. Dell'Orto who plays Santa, the Xmas tree salesman, the Prize Deliveryman, and Black Bart. The narration is handled by Mark S. Cartier, who brings a mature quality to the role of Ralph, the grownup writer. The rest of the kids include Zach Camenker as Scut the bully, Adam Fisher as Flick whose tongue gets frozen, Khalil Fleming as Schwartz, Ralphie friend, Gillian Gordon as Helen the smart girl and Rebecca Stevens as Esther Jane who likes Ralphie. Neary puts this talented crew through their paces and myriad costume changes on a two level set by Audra Avery. The forties period clothes were collected by Molly Trainer. Sheperd's functional if slightly eccentric family still resonates as real, even half a century past the period of the play. Family audiences will enjoy their antics, and maybe see something of their own situation during the holidays.
"A Christmas Story" by Philip Grecian, Nov. 25 - Dec. 23
Stoneham Theatre
395 Main St. Stoneham, (781) 279 - 2200
Stoneham Theatre
posted by will at 11:13 PM
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