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Monday, December 5, 2022

Day 386- A Christmas Story (The Play)-Pittsburgh Public Theater-A Simpler Christmas

 


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.  

 I "double dog dare" you check out  Pittsburgh Public Theater's A Christmas Story (The Play). The show runs through December 23, 2022. For tickets go to ppt.org.   

(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

  A Christmas Story movie Quickie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZzjWqwDuVY