If You Ask Me: A Christmas Story at Goodspeed Opera House
By Tom Holehan
Connecticut Critics Circle
Goodspeed Musicals has selected an ideal offering for the holiday season with A Christmas Story, Benji Pasek and Justin Paul’s musical adaptation of the beloved 1983 film. This charmer, from the creators of Dear Evan Hansen and La La Land, is currently delighting families of all ages at the East Haddam theatre. Let the holidays begin!
Joseph Robinette’s book, unlike many musical versions of popular films (Mystic Pizza and Mrs. Doubtfire come to mind), isn’t so slavishly devoted to its original source that it bogs down in comparison. Instead, the show seems fresh and inventive with a score that, while far from classic, is tuneful and cheery.
Based on the writings of humorist Jean Shepherd (who narrates the show and is played amiably here by John Scherer), A Christmas Story recounts the author’s 1940s holiday with his parents and younger brother. Renamed Ralphie Parker (Christopher Riley) for the film and musical, the boy wants nothing more than the coveted “Red Ryder Air Rifle” for Christmas. This is a hard sell to his cranky father (Jim Stanek, a hoot) and his beloved, doting mom (Jenn Gambatese, lovely). There’s not much plot to relay; instead, Shepard bathes his story in an innocent nostalgia as a series of memorable episodes shape Ralphie’s life and Shepard’s fond memories.
The talented Broadway actor, Hunter Foster, directs this brisk and funny offering with a stand-out cast and lots of love. Key to the success of any production of the musical is the casting of Ralphie and Riley proves to be an ideal choice. Wearing oversized glasses and world-weary but with great resources of energy (and a clear bell-like voice), the young actor delivers the role like a theatre veteran.
Playing his parents, both Gambatese and the volcanic Stanek, who always seems to be on the verge of a severe meltdown, are excellent. Narrator roles can often be thankless, but Scherer, so memorable as the “Man in Chair” for Goodspeed’s The Drowsy Chaperone a few seasons back, is terrific company and a reassuring, funny presence throughout.
There are some superb production numbers here, chief among them “Ralphie to the Rescue!” where choreographer Mara Newberry Greer does outstanding work corralling a large company of singer/dancers to expert precision. And Rashidra Scott, playing Ralphie’s prim middle school teacher, is astonishing in a real highlight, “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out”, donning flapper garb and bringing down the house in the process.
Did I mention the dogs? Kids and dogs in one production? W.C. Fields may be spinning in his grave, but credit once again to ace animal handler William Berloni for his work here with Gus and Jethro who probably have too few stage appearances during the show. Their attack on Thanksgiving dinner is uproarious.
David L Arsenault’s scenic design works wonders on Goodspeed’s jewel box stage and Nicole V. Moody’s period costuming gets some nice laughs especially with the snow suit she’s provided for Ralphie’s brother. I sat through A Christmas Story with a silly grin on my face from beginning to final curtain. I guarantee you will, too.
A Christmas Story continues at The Goodspeed, 5 Main Street, East Haddam, Connecticut through December 29. For further information visit: www.goodspeed.org or call the box office at: 860.873.8668.
Tom Holehan is one of the founders of the Connecticut Critics Circle, a frequent contributor to WPKN Radio’s “State of the Arts” program and the Stratford Crier and Artistic Director of Stratford’s Square One Theatre Company. He welcomes comments at: [email protected]. His reviews and other theatre information can be found on the Connecticut Critics Circle website: www.ctcritics.org.
