Santa Rosa’s 6th Street Playhouse’s theatrical contribution to the holiday season is A Christmas Story, the musical adaptation of the iconic 1983 movie of the same name. With a Tony-nominated score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen), this production musically reimagines the story of Ralphie (Leo Doucette), a Midwestern boy who yearns for a BB gun for Christmas. It runs through Dec. 21 in the GK Hardt Theater.
Director Laura Downing-Lee has amassed an army of a cast (with several roles double-cast), and she puts them through their paces. They’re constantly in motion, deftly shifting set pieces and props, in character and with intention. This is a director who knows how to conduct stage traffic, with creative help from choreographer Malia Abayon.
Nora Summers twinkles with an easy smile and a bright voice as the Mother. Her solo, “Just Like That,” reveals a beautiful inner life. Garet Waterhouse consumes the scenery as The Old Man, gyrating furiously in “The Genius on Cleveland Street” and giving plenty of hilarious bluster.
HarriettePearl Fugitt brings the house down as the saucy Miss Shields (talk about creating inner life), especially in the best number of the show, “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out!” a vampy tap sequence that showcases her as a serious triple threat.
Jeff Coté adds to his growing list of cheeky chaos agents as Santa. Emma Clinton as Randy is on like a switch the entire show, endearing the character with tons of physical comedy and adorability. (Clinton is part of one of two cheekily-named kid casts for this production—hers is Red Ryder, and the other is Leg Lamp.)
The set by Peter Crompton and Aissa Simbulan is astounding, filling the stage with levels of finely detailed 1940s accents and a whimsical Christmas facade.
April George provides dimension with her festive light design. Costumes by Mae Heagerty-Matos and Jeanine Gray create gorgeous points of interest among the ensemble.
A musical adaptation begs the question: Was this necessary? This production certainly excels in showcasing its female characters, giving them more life than the original. Though the end takes an abrupt dramatic turn, the show is faithful to the offbeat, somewhat grim adult humor of the film.
The audience was full of children leaning forward, enraptured by their peers rollicking onstage, and hopefully inspiring a new wave of theater kids. Many adults were dressed thematically, adding to the magical atmosphere. If one would also like to slip into some holiday spirit, they may consider a ticket to the show.
‘A Christmas Story: The Musical’ runs through Dec. 21 in the GK Hardt Theater at 6th Street Playhouse, 52 W. 6th Street, Santa Rosa. Thurs-Sat, 7:30pm; Sat & Sun, 2pm. $32–$56. 707.523.4185. 6thstreetplayhouse.com.
