Masquers, the longest-running local theatre group in the state, will present A Christmas Story this weekend at the Capitol Civic Centre.
Based on the movie of the same name, it follows humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoir of growing up in the Midwest in the 1940s and follows Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas.
Warren Schmidt is the narrator and plays the adult Ralphie.
“I’ve got probably more lines than the entire cast all put together,” he joked. “I keep the story going, and the cool part is the cast doesn’t even know I’m there. I get to talk to the audience all night long.”
Ellen Peronto, who is back to direct the 3-night play, spoke about the set arrangement.
“The Parker’s home, Ralphie’s bedroom, it’s a regular home,” she said. “I mean there’s life in all the rooms, whether it’s the living room, the kitchen, or the bedrooms. Even the basement is there, and then of course the outside scenes.”
Both Schmidt and Peronto agree it’s a phenomenal show.
“It was well designed,” Peronto said. “Our designer is Warren, and he did it in 2011, and when I had the pleasure of being voted back to do this show as a director, that’s one thing I said. Let’s not change this too much.”
Parker agreed, saying “No sense in redesigning something that already works.”
Showtime this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night is 7:30 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at the Capitol Civic Centre Box Office.
Tickets are $24.00 for adults, and $16.00 for students.
