My son and I make it an annual holiday tradition to watch the movie "A Christmas Story" that takes place on Cleveland Street, Indiana in the 1940’s. We laugh over and over at nine-year-old Ralphie’s quest for a “Red Ryder, Carbine Action, two-hundred shot, range rider air rifle with a compass in the stock” and his father’s acquisition of the “major award,” the tacky leg lamp. The movie has become an iconic classic. Even if you never watched the movie, the story elicits memories of our own childhood. It reminds us of a simpler Christmas, a time when the holiday focus was on those around the tree and not what was under it, unless of course, you are Ralphie.
Reflection
A Christmas Story is reminiscent of a time when
we did not run around like the Energizer Bunny to get the holidays so perfect and
when we were not distracted by the barrage of commercialism and obligations. Like
Ralphie, most of us can remember our childhood focus on that one must have
special toy-mine was a Barbie convertible.
I can’t get enough of Ralphie’s big round
glasses, his old man’s (the dad) excitement over winning the tacky lamp, his
school yard pal’s “double dog dare” and
his bunny suit. I have seen the musical (Day 178), the radio show (Day 256) and visited the Christmas Story house (Day 221.) As a
super fan, I can honestly say that the play version is the ultimate immersion of this
quirky story. We live the
story beside adult Ralphie(John Shepard) who narrates the events of that 1940 Christmas quest for the “
Red Ryder, Carbine Action, two-hundred shoot air rifle." Pittsburgh Public Theater
captures all the funny movie scenes, even my favorite: the Santa slide when
Santa answers Ralph’s Red Ryder request with, “You will shoot your eye out, kid.”
I
particularly enjoyed when Ralphie “saves the day” with his Red
Ryder in his daydreams. During this part in the play, the character’s movements
were mechanical with special lighting that mimicked an old-time movie reel.
Everyone
in the audience seemed to enjoy the silliness as evidenced by the bursts of laughter. Some in the audience even dressed in a bunny suit or wore the leg
lamp proudly on their sweater. Pittsburgh Public makes it a “whimsical event” giving the audience the opportunity be a part of
this 1940 Christmas story. When we do
so, we are reminded of a simpler time and that in the end, love is what matters
during the holidays, but it is sure great when you score that special
gift.
(Pittsburgh Public Theater is committed to reducing barriers to the arts. They just announced the launching of the “Theater for All” program. There will be free tickets for designated performances (see Theater For All). About a month before each show tickets can be claimed with a promo code on line or by calling the box office. For questions on the program contact Engagement Manager, Jalina McClarin at jmcclarin@ppt.org.)
Other Sources .
PPT https://www.ppt.org/production/78794/a-christmas-story