Viewers of the 1983 movie “A Christmas Story” know what to expect — Ralphie Parker’s desperate desire for a BB gun, his father’s fascination with a sexy-leg lamp, his brother’s wee-wee whining, his mother’s meatloaf and red cabbage and his own devotion to Little Orphan Annie’s radio show.
As the holiday slowly approaches at the humble Parker household, Ralphie deals with bully Scut Farkas, sees his buddy, Flick, get his tongue stuck on a frozen metal pole and gets his mouth washed out with soap for saying the F-word while helping the old man change a tire.
Ralphie wants only one thing for Christmas: a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle with a compass in the stock and a thing that tells time, but he’s repeatedly warned by his mother, his teacher and Santa Claus himself: “You’ll shoot your eye out!”
Based on the 1983 film directed by Bill Clark which was based on author Jean Shepherd’s nostalgic recollection of holidays he experienced as a kid growing up in Hammond, Indiana, this “Christmas Story” is the stage-play version penned by Philip Grecian in 2000, the year after Shepherd died. Directed by Dan Rowlands and starring his father, Steve Rowlands, as Ralphie’s “Old Man,” the show sparkles as the seasonal feature at CNY Playhouse at the Shoppingtown Mall.
This production boasts a handful of promising performances by grade school-aged actors who keep the energy level high and make the comedy contagious. And no wonder! These kids already have enviable credits.
Collin Dean, a fourth-grader who plays Ralphie, appeared as Max in “Where the Wild Things Are” at The Redhouse and also performed there in “The Sound of Music.” Dan Rowlands probably cast Collin for his toothy smile, a pleasant grin that Ralphie flashes as a conspiratorial aside whenever he gets over on the grown-ups.
Ten-year-old Jonathan Turner plays Flick and the diminutive Benjamin Norton portrays Ralphie’s other buddy, Schwartz. Jonathan is a jazz saxophonist and a member of the Chenango All-County Chorus. Ben previously played the Munchkin Mayor on “The Wizard of Oz” at CNY Arts Center and also appeared in “Peter Pan,” “Evita” and “Charlotte’s Web.”
David Hoy as the coonskin-capped Scut Farkas, has a lengthy and varied resume ranging from Shakespeare’s “Henry V” to “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Oliver” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
Alex Wilson — a third-grader who appears as Ralphie’s kid brother, Randy — regularly sings and raps in the Faith Heritage School talent show. He also plays piano. Cadence Wilson, a veteran of some two dozen stage shows and a TV commercial for the Davidson Auto Group, plays Ralphie’s gossipy classmate, Helen.
Perhaps the most natural of these child actors — Amber Bates as Ralphie’s would-be girlfriend, Esther Jane — has been on stage with the Children’s Musical Theatre since age three. Now a fourth-grader, she performed in “Oliver” at The Redhouse and appeared in “Annie” and “101 Dalmations” a few years ago while living in California.
Bates’ work here demonstrates her instinctual feel for comic timing supported by subtle facial expressions and dialogue laced with silliness and sarcasm. Ingenue roles should be just around the corner for this gifted gal.
Four adult actors keep the kids on track, including Ed Mastin as an older Ralph narrating the action, Carrie Wilson as the mom, Steve Rowlands as the dad and the exhilarating Jolene DesRosiers-Moody as Ralphie’s teacher.
“A Christmas Story” runs at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 10, 11 and 12, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, and Dec. 17, 18 and 19. Tickets cost $17 on Thursday and Sunday, and $20 Friday and Saturday. CNY Playhouse is located near the Macy’s entrance at DeWitt’s ShoppingTown Mall; 885-8960; cnyplayhouse.com.
