CAN ANYTHING stop A Christmas Story? Perhaps the most unlikely of Christmas success stories, the original 1983 film was based on the ’60s short fiction of Jean Shepherd. It was a cult movie lover’s dream, for sure—narrated by cult writer Shepherd, directed by B-master Bob Clark (whose biggest movie had been Porky’s) and starring former Kolchak: The Night Stalker star Darren McGavin. It disappeared in no time flat from theaters, but eventually the rest of pop culture caught up to its dysfunctional-family humor, and it became pretty much the Christmas classic of our time.
Now it’s on its way to becoming its own industry. Besides the 24-hour Christmas Story marathons on TV, it was adapted into a play by Philip Grecian in 2000. When the Rep staged it a couple of years ago, it was the most successful production in their history. Perhaps inevitably, it’s back, and what is there really to say? It’s A Christmas Story, for chrissakes! We all know the plot from endless viewings of the movie, and it’s mostly the same here. Adult Ralphie reminisces about his younger years, his crazy family, and first and foremost, the Christmas that he desperately wanted a Red Ryder 200 Shot Carbine Action Air BB gun. We know the gags by heart, from the tongue on the flagpole to the leg lamp to what has become a classic line of cinema: “You’ll shoot your eye out.” They’re all here, too. In other words, the genius of A Christmas Story as a holiday production is that it’s almost impossible not to like. It’s absolutely critic-proof. Luckily, the Rep’s version is as light and fun and practically guaranteed to please as it ought to be.
However, there are a few standout elements that should be given their due. For one thing, this is a play that requires a majority of child actors, and thankfully they are all good here. Many of them are making their theatrical debut, and kudos to casting director Bruce Elsperger for finding such a talented bunch. Also, the play’s major deviation is that it has older Ralphie—the narrator—walking through the set and interacting with the action (though the other characters can’t see him). This puts some extra pressure on the narrator, but Dan Hiatt pulls it off flawlessly. He’s sarcastic and wistful and is able to show his genuine affection for these memories and people not just in his tone but in his face. Lastly, there’s Howard Swain as Ralphie’s dad. Before seeing him, it was hard to imagine anyone but McGavin in that role, but Swain wins the audience over by putting his own stamp on it. He’s lighter on his feet, bringing even more physical comedy and screwball energy to the role.
Director Chris Smith, a new addition to the Rep’s fold, keeps things extremely simple, except for a rotating ring around the living-room/house exterior set that gets some good moments. And he pulls off the fantasy sequences, which, let’s face it, have already been the best parts.
A CHRISTMAS STORY, a San Jose Rep production, plays Tuesday at 7:30pm, Wednesday at 11am (Dec. 2 only) and 8pm, Thursday–Saturday at 8pm, Saturday at 3 and 8pm and Sunday at 2pm through Dec. 20 at the Rep, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. Tickets are $35–$69. (408.367.7255)
