It’s a Christmas tradition for my son and I to watch the 1983 iconic movie, A Christmas Story that takes place on Cleveland Street, Indiana in the 1940’s. We laugh every year at Ralphie’s quest for a Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot BB gun for Christmas and his father’s acquisition of the “major award” leg lamp.
I try to put a little "Christmas Story" action into my holiday plans every year (see Day 148 and Day 221). When I heard that Midnight Radio: A Christmas Story was a recreation of the movie in a 1940’s radio show format, I was ready again to experience the hilarious scenes and laugh at that classic advice -"You'll shoot your eye out"!
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| The movie is cleverly recreated in a 1940's radio format |
Reflection
Bricolage is an interactive theater with a mission, "to immerse artists and audiences in adventurous theatrical experiences". I took a friend who agreed to go mostly out of fondness for me and who started out the night asking, "how long is this show?". My friend was won over by the wit and talent in this radio broadcast of A Christmas Story as we both laughed during all our favorite movie moments.
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| Ralphie mug from the Movie |
The performers used an array of voices playing several of the characters perfectly. The energy was high as they moved to different mics always portraying the familiar facial expressions of their characters. The performer with big round glasses and all, had Ralphie's wide eyed, "stupor stare" down perfectly, which was stand alone funny!
Watching how the radio sound effects were made produced that, "oh that's how they do that" feeling. The show added a fantastic musical team with Dena Muro on the keyboard and Cello Furry. They accompanied the opening radio broadcast song which was done with a four part harmony, added spice during the radio spoof commercials, and produced some extra punches with surprise music. My favorite was David Bowies' "Space Oddity" adapted with "major award" leg lamp verbiage. How fun!
The free happy hour and interactive holiday amusements 30 minutes before the show helped set the festive mood. This show was a great new way to experience one of my favorite movies and continue this lighthearted tradition. Remember that whatever you get under the tree-"Don't shoot your eye out"!
I definitely will keep Bricolage Theater in my survival tool box. I can't wait to see what other new experiences Bricolage will offer their audiences.
(Midnight Radio: A Christmas Story runs until December 23,2017 at Bricolage Theater on 937 Liberty Ave. Tickets are $35.00 and $25.00 for Students at http://www.bricolagepgh.org/)
Spiritual Source
He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy (Job 8:21)
Other Sources
http://www.bricolagepgh.org/