Christmas ritual all over again as The Cleveland Play House brings back the ever-delightful A Christmas Story to the Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square.
Just like last year, Ralphie Parker still lusts after 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.” John McCluggage repeats as director of this wry look at childhood written by Phil Grecian (and the show adheres closely to the 1983 film of the same name written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark).
The Parkers, a Depression-era family, share what is essentially a happy life (even though at the time they may not realize it) and prove, once again, that comedy is “tragedy” recollected in tranquility. The dogs still get the Christmas turkey, Ralphie’s little brother Randy (a charmingly loud and bratty Jake Spencer) still manages to pee on Santa, and the lamp that The Old Man (Christopher Gerson) cherishes in the window still gets “accidentally” taken care of by Mother (Madeleine Maby). However, it seems funny as the grown-up Ralphie (a lively Jeff Talbott) watches his past enacted and tells us about it.
New to the show this year, Gerson and Maby make a great team, adding a necessary and loving intensity as they work to save Christmas for their children and still keep their sanity. Ralphie (Skipper Rankin who played Randy last year) makes us believe just how much he needs to decode Orphan Annie’s secret message and how desperate he is for that air rifle. Laura Perrotta (as Ralphie’s teacher Miss Shields) still makes us laugh with her stern visage. A cute supporting cast of children gleefully dance through the show with nary an obvious mis-step.
Opening night proved even more intense than usual since part of the revolving stage designed by Robert Mark Morgan refused to work. Things were restored to normal by the end of the show, but it made for a late night. In addition, try to avoid going on a Cavs’ game night. Endless traffic getting off the highway…
Still extra beautiful traditional trees decorate the long Allen Theatre walkway and if you want, you can even stick your head in the bunny pajamas cutout for a photo.
Bottom line: A well-done show. Still a great bet for children old enough to appreciate elementary school humor and for adults who share that same ability.
It runs through Dec. 21. For tickets go to clevelandplayhouse.com.
[Photo credit: Laura Kennelly]
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