RUMFORD — Audience members who step into 49 Franklin’s Mystic Theater for the production of “A Christmas Story” will be transported to the early 1940s, where Ralphie Parker’s greatest wish is to own a Red Rider BB Gun, only to be lectured by everyone, including Santa, that he’ll shoot his eye out.
“A Christmas Story” was written by Jean Shepherd and inspired by “In God We Trust; All Others Pay Cash” which was based on a collection of short stories he wrote for Playboy magazine between 1964 and 1966. All of the classic scenes from the short stories and the 1983 movie are in the live production, adapted by Phillip Grecian, including: the tongue sticking to the flagpole, the pink bunny pajamas, the neighbors’ dogs harassing Old Man Parker and getting the turkey, his dealings with the furnace, the leg lamp and other iconic scenes.
The cast includes Chuck Bellegarde as Ralph (narrating as an adult), Brayden Duguay as young Ralphie Parker, Melissa Burnham as Mother Parker, Eric Schmersal as Old Man Parker, Anthony MacDonald as Randy Parker, Jen Foster as teacher Miss Shields, Trent Holman as Flick, Logan Graham as Schwartz, Marissa LaPointe as Esther Jane Alberry, Virginia Owings as Helen Weathers, Sean Gould as the bully Scut Farkus, Zac Calden as the Surly Elf, the Cowboy, the Tree Lot Owner, the Delivery Man and the Neighbor.
“A Christmas Story” will be presented at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12; at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13; and at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, and Saturday, Dec. 19.
Tickets cost $15. Doors open one hour before show begins. Tickets are available in downtown Rumford at Bartash’s Cards and Gifts and All That Jazz, and online at www.49franklin.com.
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