A Christmas Story
Bring the family together and celebrate the season with one of the most beloved Holiday traditions of all time. It’s A Christmas Story: The Musical.
One of the most watched and beloved Holiday movies ever made comes to life in a full-blown musical production on the Paramount stage.
It’s the story of nine-year-old Ralphie Parker growing up in middle-America in the 1940s. With Christmas right around the corner, Ralphie has his bespectacled sights set on one thing – a Red Ryder BB Gun. But at every turn, the young daydreamer hears those five words that are the bane of his existence: “you’ll shoot your eye out.”
It’s a story filled with laughs, dreams, warmth and family. A story filled with a department store Santa, a Leg Lamp, a Snow Suit and friends that will never leave your side – even if your tongue is stuck to a Flag Pole. The music is energetic, unforgettable and ranges from gentle ballads to full-on show-stopping numbers. The imagery takes you back to an easier time we often long for, but the message stays the same: family, friendship, love – the holidays are nothing without them.
Bring your family and celebrate the holidays with the perfect feel-good musical for the season.
BROADWAY MERCHANDISE
Bring home a piece of Paramount’s biggest season yet. From t-shirts to magnets to leg lamps and more, we’ve got something for everyone. Be sure to visit any of the Broadway Merchandise stations in the Grand Gallery during intermission, before or after any Broadway performance.
“DON’T SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT” FAMILY PACKAGE
Buy Tickets to A Christmas Story: The Musical and stay overnight at the Broadway Hotel Aurora/Naperville, located minutes from the theatre. Package includes:
- One Night’s Lodging for up to 2 Adults and 3 Kids in Standard Suite
- $25 Two Brothers Roundhouse Gift Card
- $9 Admission Vouchers to Chicago Premium Outlets Ice Skating Rink (bring your own skates; additional $3 per skate rental)
- One Keepsake Leg Lamp or Ralphie Bunny Suit Ornament
- FREE Hot Breakfast at Broadway Hotel Aurora/Naperville
Oh Fuuuudge….all this for as low as $119*! We “Double Dog Dare You” to book and make your family’s holiday memories in Downtown Aurora this year.
*Prices vary by day of the week. Hot Tub and Fireplace Suites available at extra cost. Reservations require 48-hour advance notice and are subject to availability. Limited availability on holiday weekends and for special events. Valid through January 3, 2016. Hotel package and show tickets sold separately.
PREMIUM GUEST EXPERIENCE
Upgrade your night out with the Premium Guest Experience. Enjoy open bar, hors d’oeuvres and desserts before the show and during intermission in an exclusive private area. CLICK HERE to learn more.
SIGN INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE
There will be two certified sign interpreters translating all dialogue and lyrics into American Sign Language at A Christmas Story on Thursday, December 17 at 7 p.m.
There will also be sign interpreted performances for Hairspray (February 18, 2016 at 7 p.m.) and West Side Story (April 14, 2016 at 7 p.m.).
Become a subscriber and see all three shows for an unbeatable price. Call 630.896.6666 and ask for the Interpreted Performance Subscription.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Paramount Theatre is a charitable, non-profit organization. CLICK HERE to show your support.
Opening Night
Meet the Team
Michael Accardo *
Old Man
previously in Elf The Musical, The Music Man and A Christmas Story
Michael Harp
Ralphie
Previously in A Christmas Story
Philip Earl Johnson *
Jean Shepherd
making Paramount Theatre debut
Ericka Mac *
Miss Shields
previously in CATS
Danni Smith *
Mother
making Paramount Theatre debut
Blake Barnickel
Flick
making Paramount Theatre debut
Ricky Falbo
Grover Dill
previously in The Who’s Tommy & Les Misérables
Mark David Kaplan *
Santa, Fantasy Villain, Ensemble, u/s Jean Shepherd
previously in A Christmas Story
Theo Moss
Randy
previously in A Christmas Story
Reid Patrick Tomasson
Scut Farkus
making Paramount Theatre debut
Matthew Uzarraga
Schwartz
previously in Joseph…Dreamcoat and Miss Saigon
Aubrey Adams *
Dance Captain, Ensemble
previously in The Who’s Tommy & Les Misérables
Audrey Billings *
Ensemble
previously in Miss Saigon
Cody Bolithon
Sammy, u/s Ralphie
making Paramount Theatre debut
Grier Burke
Suzy, u/s Mary Beth, u/s Esther Jane
previously in A Christmas Story
Jonathan Butler-Duplessis *
Previously in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, A Christmas Story, Tommy, Hair, and In the Heights
Aaron Choi *
Waiter, Chief Elf, Ensemble
making Paramount Theatre debut
Michael Di Leo
Roy, u/s Dill, u/s Schwartz, u/s Farkus
making Paramount Theatre debut
Samantha Erne
Esther Jane
making Paramount Theatre debut
Jason Grimm
Second Bank Robber, Ensemble
making Paramount Theatre debut
Jillian Jocson
Waitress/ Ensemble
making Paramount Theatre debut
Matthew Keffer
Ensemble
making Paramount Theatre debut
Alanna Lovely
Ensemble
making Paramount Theatre debut
Eloise Lushina
Mary Beth
previously in Mary Poppins
Tyler Martin
Scooter, u/s Randy, u/s Flick
making Paramount Theatre debut
Erin McGrath *
Ensemble
making Paramount Theatre debut
Jason Richards
Ensemble, u/s Old Man
previously in School of Rock, Cinderella, The Producers, and A Christmas Story
Summer Naomi Smart *
Can-Can Girlfriend, u/s Mother
making Paramount Theatre debut
Peyton Shaffer
Nancy
previously in Mary Poppins, The Music Man & Annie
Holly Stauder *
Mrs. Schwartz, Ensemble, u/s Miss Shields
previously in Annie, Cats & Mary Poppins
Dana Tretta *
Chief Elf, Ensemble
previously in A Christmas Story and Hair
* indicates member of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA)
† indicates member of United Scenic Artists (USA)
‡ indicates member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC)
THE REVIEWS ARE IN!
“truly one of the best stage productions for the holiday season in Chicago…Dean’s List ‘A’”
Dean Richards, WGN-TV & Radio
“superbly performed…sheer delight”
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
“high-spirited, warm-hearted, highly recommended”
Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times
“I couldn’t stop smiling. And I wasn’t alone.”
Barbara Vitello, Daily Herald
“The Paramount staff truly understands how to do a musical better than the original group…you will be hooked!”
Alan Bresloff, Around the Town Chicago
“Brimming with dynamite performances and overflowing with comedy and heart”
Broadway World
“tons of fun…a holiday treat for both die-hard fans and newbies”
Marissa Amoni, Downtown Auroran
“a very special family treat for the holidays…guaranteed to bring a big grin to even the biggest Grinch”
Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review
“perfectly cast leads and terrific vocals…simply terrific”
Barry Reszel, Chicagoland Musical Theatre
Check out A Christmas Story: The Musical director Nick Bowling’s director’s notes below. Read up, and get ready for the holiday show of the season, right here at Paramount.
Most of us know A Christmas Story from the 1983 sleeper film, which has since become a cult holiday classic. The real origins of the story actually go back to the 1950s, when a man named Jean Shepherd, an American humorist and radio personality, began sharing musings of his childhood on WOR Radio in New York City. He eventually put the collection of stories into a book called In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, and this was the inspiration for the film.
Although Shepherd claims A Christmas Story is fictional, he did grow up in a small Indiana town where there is a Cleveland Street, and several of the characters’ names are found in his grade school yearbooks, including Shepherd’s younger brother Randy. And while Shepherd named his young protagonist “Ralphie” not “Jean,” he himself did play the voice of ADULT RALPHIE in the film and appears onstage as the NARRATOR of our musical.
The stage version is transformed by the beautiful music of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who have turned Ralphie’s fantastical imaginations into songs. The artistic team and I have staged them from the perspective of a 9 year old boy, whose dreams are fashioned on the movies, radio and comic books of 1940.
I am so excited to be joining the Paramount family along with this amazing cast and crew to share A Christmas Story. This musical has reminded me of my own favorite Christmas memory… quietly sneaking into my sister’s room around 5 a.m. on Christmas morning, the two of us anxiously awaiting the agreed upon time to wake the rest of my family. I’d give anything to live those excruciating hours again. Looking back, I realize how they made the eventual descent of the stairs all the more magical.
-Nick Bowling
