A Christmas Story at TPAC's Johnson Theater

To the list of life’s few certainties—death, taxes, football on Thanksgiving—add the undeniable charm of director Bob Clark’s 1983 film about the Christmastime antics of young Ralphie Parker and his delightfully eccentric family and friends, based on the work of the late radio writer and novelist Jean Shepherd. The movie, starring nerdy Peter Billingsley and revolving around his character’s desire for a Red Ryder air rifle—“You’ll shoot your eye out, kid”—has become a Yuletide tradition, playing literally 24 hours straight on TV. About 10 years ago, shortly before Shepherd’s death, this stage adaptation was undertaken by director/playwright Philip Grecian, and it has since found a home in community and professional theater settings. Of necessity, Grecian’s version rearranges the presentation somewhat, but many of the essential moments are present: the exploding furnace; school bully Scut Farkas; the wet tongue on a cold lamppost; Dad Parker’s coveted, absolutely tacky “leg lamp”; and Ralphie’s godawful pink bunny pajamas. Actor Sam Whited draws the honor of portraying Ralphie in the Tennessee Repertory Theatre production, which gets a head start on seasonal celebrations and will offer 24 performances, including Saturday matinees. The strong supporting cast features Jeff Boyet, Shane Bridges, Jamie Farmer, Andrew Kanies, Eric D. Pasto-Crosby and David Wilkerson. Rene Copeland directs.
Fridays, Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Tuesdays-Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. Starts: Nov. 21. Continues through Dec. 17, 2009