By Laura Kennelly
Ralphie Parker is back, pink bunny pajamas and all.
This sweetly-told Christmas tale featuring the Parkers, a Depression-era family who lives on Cleveland Street (in Indiana), once again reveals childhood’s sweaty intensity; a time when kids fixate on one dream gift–in 9-year old Ralphie’s case an “Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle with a compass in the stock and a thing that tells time” (a phrase repeated often as Ralphie campaigns for his heart’s desire).
The Cleveland Play House production’s Director, John McCluggage, offers a heart-warming version of this comic play written by Phil Grecian (based on the 1983 film of the same name written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark).
Even though it’s the same play previously offered by CPH in the old Bolton Theatre, it’s a fresh new creation. This year the Allen Theatre sets are refreshingly and brightly re-imagined thanks to a brilliant double revolving stage designed by Robert Mark Morgan. We can see inside the house and then be outside in a matter of minutes.
A Christmas Story’s power lies, in part, in its ability to generate similar memories for its adult audience. An animated Jeff Talbott as Ralph, the grown-up Ralphie becomes, tells the story and re-enacts certain scenes (which he plays in tandem with his younger self). This works well, but makes it more a play for adults than children who may not be old enough yet to see why some things are funny. That said, older children will likely enjoy the show because it’s fast-paced.
The loving conflict between a harried Michael Heintzman (The Old Man) and saintly Maggie Lacey (the Mother) adds humor as does the smart, no-nonsense Laura Perrotta (as Ralphie’s teacher Miss Shields). A cute supporting cast of children, including Matthew Taylor (Ralphie), John Cugel (Scut Farkas), Cole Emerine (Flick), and especially Carisa Tanner (as a warm and charming Esther Jane), show how fraught with adventure young life can be.
It’s also fun just walking up the hall leading to the theatre lobby before the show and enjoying the sparkling decorated Christmas trees that line the long Allen Theatre walkway. Many photo ops around this pretty scene. And if you want a theme weekend, then consider touring the Tremont house used for the film. It’s like walking into the 1983 film.
So exactly who is this play for? It’s safe to say its generous spirit has wide appeal, with a special memory jolt for film fans of A Christmas Story. But, quite honestly, it also renewed my interest in getting a Red Ryder BB gun to shoot pesky varmints (even though I think I missed my chance back in the day). It runs through 12/22. For tickets go to http://clevelandplayhouse.com.
Laura Kennelly is a freelance arts journalist, a member of the Music Critics Association of North America, and an associate editor of BACH, a scholarly journal devoted to J. S. Bach and his circle.Listening to and learning more about music has been a life-long passion. She knows there’s no better place to do that than the Cleveland area.
Cleveland, OH 44115