Originally released in 1983, the film A Christmas Story was no more than a moderate success at the time. But hindsight has changed its reception. The noted critic Roger Ebert gave it 3 ½ stars at the time, but later gave it a slot in his ‘Great Movies’ list with four stars. In 2000 it was first staged as a play, and by 2012 a musical version made it all the way to Broadway. And it all started in 1966, with a novel by Jean Shepherd.
Now the non-musical is making an appearance for the Christmas season at the Hill Country Community Theatre, near Marble Falls.
“There’s a generation that grew up watching the film,” said Heidi Melton, Executive Director of HCCT. “My parents weren’t born in the 1930’s or early 40s, but at the same time a lot of what happened in that film resonates with their Christmas, and their growing up. I think it’s a fun show because whether it’s being familiar with the film and you’re into those memories, or you kind of lived some version of this story, I think it is really neat, and that’s why it fits well in our space.”
The original child actor in the film was Peter Billingsley. In 2017, he reflected on the meaning of the story, which also resonates with what Melton told me in our interview.
“Even though it’s set in the 1940s and from a part of the country people might not be from, there’s something very real about that portrayal of a family that was different than the more traditional vanilla kind of family that we were normally hit with,” said Billingsley. “The dad’s got a bad temper, the mom seems a bit kind of aloof at times. There’s something very, very real about that family and ultimately very loving. It’s those simple, relatable things of picking up a Christmas tree, wanting something for Christmas, going to visit Santa.”
In this production Brandon Gonzales as the narrator (and older version of the lead kid, Ralphie, played to perfection by Nicholai Raynor), kept the storyline flowing. He exuded just the right sense of nostalgia (not to bitter, not too sweet) as the present-day Ralphie.
The young Kassidy Everett made her character come to life just by her looks. “She drew me into the character with her facial expressions,” my theatre companion said, “which made her character very believable,” especially when she portrayed Little Orphan Annie, a radio character Ralphie closely followed. The production includes several child actors, and wile some would have benefitted by more rehearsal time, it sort of enhanced the small-town vibe of the tale.
The scene-stealer comes near the end, when a potentially dangerous object shares slumber time with Ralphie. Only, it’s pointed pretty much right at his head! Telling more would be a spoiler, so I will let you experience this for yourself. If you’ve never heard of Ovaltine, Little Orphan Annie, or the Western comic strip Red Rider, I suggest you brush up on 1940s pop culture first. Otherwise, a lot of the charm will pass over your head.
A Christmas Story is on thru Dec 22, at 4003 W FM 2147, Cottonwood Shores.
www.thehcct.org
Lead image: Curtain call with Ralphie at centre; to the right is Ray Schwartz and then Kassidy Everett. Just left of Ralphie is his older version, played by Brandon Gonzales. Far left is Kristi Senterfitt.
Second image: Dad (played by Ray Schwartz) and Mom (Jennifer Hallam; who was also the Director)