New "A Christmas Story" Tour

[gleek4114]

Posted: 10/20/14 at 5:30pm

I'm so excited for this! I will be there on opening night! Does anyone have anymore details on this production? Like what production values it will have? I'm just excited to finally see it!
Evan Gray, Colton Maurer and More to Star in National Tour of A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL; Kicks Off Next Month

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/20/14 at 5:41pm

It's Big League so I'd expect small league.

[frankywhitley]

Posted: 10/20/14 at 5:59pm

its non-equity.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/20/14 at 6:46pm

I am sure it will be a good tour. Lena is a top-notch director, and while the Broadway designs were visually fantastic, some of the scenery was a bit clunky when it motion, so hopefully there will be an improvement in that regard.

[gleek4114]

Posted: 11/12/14 at 12:57pm

Going to opening on Friday! Center mezz seats! I will be sure to report back.

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 11/12/14 at 1:18pm

The show hasn't come to LA yet. Really want to see it.

[gleek4114]

Posted: 11/12/14 at 8:04pm

^ I was afraid I would not get to see a production as well. I'm really surprised it hasn't made it to L.A. Seems like it would be a prime tour stop for a show like this.

[gleek4114]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 12:58am

Just got home from opening night (I live about 2 hours from the venue), and this show exceeded all of my expectations. Easily one of the best tours (Equity or not) I have seen. I am super tired, so I will post a more formal review in the morning!

[mikey2573]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 8:15am

I absolutely LOVE this show! Saw it on Broadway two years ago. Went in not expecting to like it as I've never been a big fan of the movie. All I can remember is smiling from ear to ear through the entire show. A complete JOY!
THen I saw the tour in Hartford last year and saw it two more times in Boston. Again, LOVED every second of it. I particularly loved the way they were able to take one of the iconic comic moments from the film and later turn it into one of the most moving moments of the show. The movie was never able to connect with me emotionally the way the musical did.
It sucks that I am not going to be able to see it this year. If it is playing in your area, SEE IT!!

EDIT: It really pissed me off that the girls from MATILDA got a special Tony the year that A CHRISTMAS STORY opened on Broadway. The kids from ACS were MILES above any of the Matilda girls. Sorry but they were. Johnny Rabe as Ralphie was able to belt out his songs and also had PERFECT comic timing. Not to mention little Luke Spring's big tap dancing solo which brought the house down each time I saw it. (Is there tiny tapper in the current tour?)

Updated On: 11/15/14 at 08:15 AM

[gleek4114]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 10:51am

So I think organizing my thoughts into categories would be the best thing to do. So here it goes:

THE SET:
Walking in, I was not expecting much. I knew it was Non Equity, and that these tours are infamous for having "underwhelming" production values. When the show started I thought it was not going to be that elaborate. The radio station was a chair and a microphone! Boy was I wrong! As soon as the house, rolled out I was amazed, at the quality and attention to detail. It was basically the Broadway set in one piece as opposed to two. Since this was the opening night there were a few technical problems, one of which caused the show to hold for about 30 seconds. The house was not coming forward, but it was obviously a quick fix because in no time the show was back on the road. Basically every set piece closely resembled it's Broadway/Madison Square Garden counter part. The biggest difference was the throne for "Up on Santa's Lap." If I remember correctly, in the original production it was a towering white snowbank. In this tour it is about 3/4 that size and instead of being a show bank it was a colorful tack of presents.

THE COSTUMES:
Basically identical to Broadway, except Miss Sheilds' dresses looked like they had a little less money in them.

THE PERFORMERS:
By far the biggest stand out was Christopher Swan was the old man. He was energetic, very animated and very funny! "Major Award" brought down the house. I think we saw Colton Maurer as Ralphie (there are 2 that alternate in this production), and he was spectacular! Most of his songs were spot on! Susannah Jones as mother brought just enough of that motherly love. She got a lot of laughs, but nowhere near as much as Erin Dilly or Rachel Bay Jones got. To be fair it was opening, and I'm sure she will find those comedic moments throughout this tour. Avital Asuleen as Miss Sheilds did a fine job. She has some great comedy chops and can dance up a storm, but her singing left a lot to be desired. I don't know if anyone will ever play it as well as Caroline O' Connor did.

THE STAGEING:
Some things new, but basically a copy of the broadway direction.

OVERALL:
I was thoroughly impressed. The set was fantastic and the performers were as well. The score sounded fine with a smaller orchestra. I will say that the one thing I hated was: the audience. They just were not that into it, which really reflects on the actors, because they feed off of an audience's energy. With that aside, this show still managed to pull on my heartstrings and bring tears to my eyes. The last song is so beautiful, and well written. In my opinion the biggest star of the show (anywhere) should be the score. They music is amazing, and they lyrics are so cleaver. In closing I recommend you see this tour if you can. This show is something really special.

[Outoftowner2]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 11:09am

It's a great show. If you're in or near one of the tour cities and you're thinking about going, get tickets.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 1:20pm

I really enjoyed this show. It has such a fun score.

Updated On: 11/15/14 at 01:20 PM

[Melissa25]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 1:32pm

I really loved this show on Broadway. I had low hopes going in and left overjoyed.
I was secretly hoping that this would come back for a special holiday period at the empty Palace theater in NY but no such luck. I think they just announced a few Manheim Steamroller shows. Ugh.

Anyway, I just got an email from the Northport theater on Long Island that they are putting it on November 20- Jan 4. I will definitely be taking the ride out to see it.

[gleek4114]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 1:42pm

Here's the show's curtain

[AKarp2013]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 1:47pm

I really thought it was the best musical of the 2012/2013 season with easily the best score that year. I really had hoped they would have made a Broadway cast recording with all the changes and new material since its original album.

[gleek4114]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 2:02pm

If anyone is interested, I have the Tony Voters CD with the live recordings of "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out", "What a Mother Does", and "When Your a Whimp". I'd be glad to send them to anyone, especially since "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out" was not on the studio cast recording.

[mikey2573]

Posted: 11/23/14 at 6:29pm

In addition to this non-equity tour, 5th Ave. Theater is doing it in Seattle. Anyone see that one?

[gleek4114]

Posted: 7/10/15 at 3:14pm

Looks like this tour is going out again this year! If it comes close to you, I highly reccomend attending!

JoseLee, If you can get to San Francisco you shouldn't miss this!

http://achristmasstoryontour.com/ 

Updated On: 7/10/15 at 03:14 PM

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 7/10/15 at 6:12pm

All the theatres in L.A. are 20-40 minute bus rides away from where I live, and half by car. I can't.

[mikey2573]

Posted: 7/10/15 at 7:40pm

Paper Mill Playhouse is doing it 

 

http://papermill.org/shows-tickets/377-15-16-season.html

 

as is Walnut Street Theater 

 

https://www.walnutstreettheatre.org/season/2015-2016.mainstage.php