Review: 'A Christmas Story, The Musical' Offers Madcap Moments
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David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
What most people will like about Wagon Wheel’s production of “A Christmas Story, the Musical” are the children’s cute performances – the singing, the dancing and the funny moments. While I certainly smiled when the young thespians were on stage, the strongest performance Saturday night came from Matthew Janisse as Ralphie Parker’s Old Man. He had a frantic energy on stage that made me sit up a bit straighter and laugh a little harder. The Old Man continues to have to fend off from the neighbor’s dogs. There are no real dogs on the set, just a recording of a bunch of dogs, but Janisse plays it very believeable so you can see the canines in your mind. And when The Old Man wins the crossword puzzle contest and receives the leg lamp, he’s strongly attached to it as if it’s the greatest prize ever bestowed upon anyone before. Janisse’s dedication to the lamp is madcap. Janisse gets to sing about the lamp in “A Major Award,” and I laughed harder at his performance and the number more than anywhere else. But this musical isn’t about The Old Man – though he certainly plays an important part in it. It’s about Ralphie (Parker Irwin) and his desire above all else to own a Red Ryder® BB gun, something everyone keeps warning him will poke his eye out. The musical is based on the 1983 movie “A Christmas Story.” That now-classic film was based on a series of stories and semi-fictional anecdotes of author Jean Shepherd. Shepherd (Kenneth D’Elia) is the narrator for the musical, often following Ralphie closely behind and imitating his actions as if remembering what he did as a boy. D’Elia gives a strong performance in the show, and has a natural voice for radio or television. One could close his eyes and feel what D’Elia describes in the role of Shepherd. Of course, if you close your eyes you won’t see Irwin and the other children joyfully playing out their lines. Irwin has been on the Wagon Wheel stage numerous times, and he just continues to become a stronger actor with every performance. He plays well off other people in the shows, especially the other kids. Alek Fehlmann plays Ralphie’s brother Randy, and they make a realistic combo. Both are good child actors who should continue to have success on the acting stage should they choose it. The other kids also amuse the audience, from Caleb Mouat as Schwartz and Callen Hoskins as Flick to Nicholas Lowman as Scut Farkus. The song “When You’re a Wimp,” sung by the children, is akin to “Hard Knock Life” from the musical “Annie.” You’ll get it stuck in your head for the rest of the night. One of my other favorite numbers from the musical is “Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana.” I’m not sure how well the number plays in other states where the musical is performed, but it’s perfect for the Hoosier state. Holding the family together is Mother, played by the superb Kira Lace Hawkins. Always a beautiful voice to listen to, Hawkins grounds the chaotic show and soothes the sorrows of her two boys. She also can deliver a look to put one in their place if necessary. She has this stare that demands respect. Hawkins also gets the slow songs, “What a Mother Does” and “Just Like That,” but they’re a special treat the way she eloquently sings them. Overall, I think all families could attend “A Christmas Story, the Musical” at the Wagon Wheel and find something to enjoy. My rating of the musical (out of four): 3. Show dates and times are: Dec. 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 8 p.m.; and Dec. 14 and 21 at 2 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit the website at www.wagonwheeltheatre.org or call the box office at 574-267-8041.
