A Christmas Story at Stoneham Theatre
Published on November 30th, 2005
Just take a quick stroll by the front window at the Stoneham Theatre filled with Red Rider BB guns and vintage Christmas toys, and it’s pretty apparent that it’s that time of year again: time for the Christmas carols to be played on the oldies stations and the adventures of Ralphie in a Christmas Story to play at the Stoneham Theatre.
This year’s telling of A Christmas Story also features a pair of local residents that are also students in the Stoneham school system: tenth grader Danny Marchant plans resident bully and tuff Scut Farkas while 10-year-old Colonial Park School student Emily Pinto plays Helen.
It’s the first professional theatre for both Danny and Emily, and both youngsters are excited to be around an equity production and plan on absorbing as much as they can in the creative atmosphere.
"It’s not like the young company where you go a little slower and you get to do lots of exercises to get ready," said Marchant. "More is expected of you quickly, but it’s really been so much fun and people are really willing to help you out.
"A big thing the actors here have taught me is that the character’s clothes are so important to the acting and the role," added Marchant, who said it was a challenge to be cast in the role of the rough-housing ruffian. "I think the center to Scut Farkas’ evil lies in the funky golf hat that the character wears…so that’s what I focus on when I need to get mean for the role. I like all the kids in the cast, and definitely wouldn’t want to beat them up."
Marchant said that the director had asked the actors to stay away from watching the Christmas Story movie and the obvious influence it could have on a performance, but the 16-year-old admitted it’s difficult to avoid the ubiquitous Christmas movie.
"Every year my family all sits down and watches A Christmas Story, so I was very familiar with the movie and my role before I was even cast in the play," said Marchant, who added that the stage adaptation contains more of his favorite parts of the film: Ralphie’s daydream fantasies of becoming a cowboy with his Red Rider BB gun.
Pinto plays the free-thinking and independent Emily and, like Marchant, is seeing the professional production through the eyes of a first-timer.
"I’m very excited to be in the show," said Pinto. "I get to watch all the equity actors and see what it’s like to be a professional actor.
"I think it takes a lot of hard work and inspiration to be a professional actor," added Pinto, who didn’t have a favorite Christmas movie or cartoon special. "It’s inspiring for me to watch them."
"And it’s been a lot of fun," added Pinto with a giggle.
Adapted by Philip Grecian from the 1983 Motion Picture by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark, which was based on Jean Shepherd’s book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash, this book-to-film-to-stage classic is the story of a young boy’s quest to obtain his ideal gift against all odds.
In the 1950s, Jean Shepherd began a long career as a radio personality telling stories of his youth, commenting on current topics and performing silly songs. His fondness for bittersweet nostalgia ultimately led to success in other media as well, including a series of books inspired in part by his radio monologues. His 1966 collection of the many tales of his semi-autobiographical character "Ralphie," was the inspiration for the film "A Christmas Story," which Shepherd wrote and narrated.
Now, just in time for the holidays, the widely popular perennial Christmas tradition will come to life on stage. A young boy growing up in the 1940's, Ralphie is consumed by an aching desire for his idea of the ultimate Christmas present, an official Red Ryder BB gun. But if he is to get his wish he must first get around his mother's constant "You'll shoot your eye out?" His brilliant all-out campaign twists in and out of other unforgettable Christmas adventures, including finding out if a wet tongue freezes to a cold flag-pole, Dad's spectacularly gaudy leg lamp, and the Christmas dinner that got away.
Narrated by Shelley Bolman (Stoneham Theatre’s A Christmas Carol) in the role of Ralph, the cast of this production features Dale Place (Stoneham Theatre’s A Christmas Carol, in the role of Scrooge for the last 4 years, Pal Joey, Shadowlands and Lizzie Borden; appearances at SpeakEasy/Sugan Theatres, Lyric Stage, Huntington Theatre) as Ralphie’s "Old Man," Meagan Hawkes (appearances at New Repertory Theatre, Publick Theatre) as Ralphie’s mother, Ari Shaps (North Shore Music Theatre’s Cinderella, A Christmas Carol, Beauty and the Beast) making his Stoneham Theatre debut as Ralphie, and Henry MacLean (NSMT’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Alice in Wonderland Jr.) as his younger brother, Randy. Danny Marchant plays neighborhood bully Scut Farkas and John-Michael Breen will play the role of Ralphie’s buddy, Flick. Other cast members include Emily Pinto, Sarah Reid, Nick McGrath, Sam Blumenfeld, and Ali Kadoura.
Directed by Caitlin Lowans, this production of A CHRISTMAS STORY features set design by Jenna McFarland, lighting design by Martin Vreeland, costume design by Molly Trainer, and sound design by Steve McIntosh.
A Christma Story plays at Stoneham Theatre Friday, November 25 through Friday, December 23. Performances are Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., with matinees Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. There will be an ASL-interpreted performance on Friday, December 16, and an added holiday week performance on Tuesday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. Student matinees will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m.; tickets are priced at $16.00. Regular priced tickets are $36.00 for adults, $32.00 for seniors, and $18.00 for students (under 18 or with a valid college ID). Tickets for all performances are on sale at the Stoneham Theatre Box Office, 395 Main Street, Stoneham, online at www.stonehamtheatre.org, or by calling 781-279-2200. Material was used from the Stoneham Theatre press release for A Christmas Story for this story.."
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