Recent Stories with tag John Bolton

I was probably one of the very few people in the theatre Thursday night who had never seen the iconic movie on which A Christmas Story: The Musical (at the 5th Avenue Theatre through December 30; tickets here) is based. The beloved 1983 holiday movie runs in a 24-hour marathon on TBS later this month, and many folks I know make watching it at least once a holiday tradition. With some fine tuning in future runs, this new musical has a good chance of becoming a holiday tradition in its own right. 

You know the story. In 1940s Hammond, Indiana, young Ralphie Parker is laser-focused on one gift for Christmas: an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle, "with a compass in the stock, and this thing which tells time." Based on the semi-autobiographical stories of New York radio host and storyteller Jean Shepherd (who also plays the narrator in the movie version), the show follows a series of comical vignettes that chronicle likely roadblocks for Ralphie achieving his goal of BB gun ownership.

With veteran Seattle actor Frank Corrado onstage as narrator Shepherd (with excellent timing), the production borrows a bit from A Prairie Home Companion by framing the production within a radio show. Like APHC, some sound effects--such as the barking of the neighbor's dogs and mothers stomping up stairs to spank their sons for allegedly throwing the f-bomb--are provided by an excellent quartet of singers who also keep the period Christmas music going throughout. The radio show conceit works and even gives some context to the sets that are more suggestive than realistic. ... (more)

Ed: 5th Avenue Theatre has requested that we clearly mention that Seth is talking about a preview performance, and that seems like a good idea, because Seth thought he was buying tickets to the real show. It's an easy mistake to make. 5th Ave's publicity says the show runs from Nov. 26 - Dec. 30. If you look at the schedule page, there's nothing distinguishing preview dates from the official run. Nothing on the ticket order page does. The show officially opens on Dec. 9, though after 15 minutes of clicking through the 15th Ave's site, I can't find any notice of this. 

Photo: 5th Avenue's "A Christmas Story: The Musical!"

Addressing a packed house Sunday night at the 5th Avenue Theatre, the theater's Executive Director David Armstrong shared a vision of Christmas future. "I'm hopeful that someday you'll look back and say 'I was at the creation of that holiday musical tradition, A Christmas Story.'"

I was dubious. But after seeing the show [Ed: as mentioned, a preview performance--it's not officially open yet, and what Seth saw has already changed a little], I think Armstrong's foresight may be 20/20. A Christmas Story: The Musical! is well-paced (far better-paced than its screen daddy), consistently funny, occasionally adorable, surprisingly smart for a musical that has a mostly pre-pubescent cast, and features a hilarious comedic performance by Broadway vet John Bolton.

Back east, on Broadway, another well-known story is getting a musical adaptation. "Spider-Man" is a $65 million (and counting) production directed by Julie Taymor and with music by Bono and The Edge. Here's what Bono has to say about the show's theme. "We’re wrestling with the same stuff as Rilke, Blake, ‘Wings of Desire,’ Roy Lichtenstein, the Ramones — the cost of feeling feelings."

(If anyone has a hint of a clue what Bono is talking about, please drop a note in the comments. Sounds to me like a line the smarmy faux-poet dude in your freshman dorm would use.)... (more)