Bigfork Children's Theatre opens holiday classic “A Christmas Story”

Ralphie’s quest for an Official Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle is on, as the Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theatre presents “A Christmas Story.” 

The show opens this weekend featuring a cast of 50 children and adults, and a brilliant musical score. The classic holiday tale centers on a mischievous, bespectacled boy, Ralphie, (Chase Coggins) who dreams of getting a BB-gun for Christmas. In the weeks before the big holiday, Ralphie, his friends and his family get into all kinds of situations — including run-ins with a bully, a tongue stuck to a flag pole, a bar of soap in the mouth, a garish leg lamp, a major award and a Chinese Christmas dinner.

The musical version of A Christmas Story, which is based on the 1983 film, just finished its Broadway run and the Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theatre was one of about 20 theatres in the country to get rights to the play.

Besides the well-known and loved storyline, what makes this show great is the musical score, according Children’s Theatre artistic director Brach Thomson. 

“I haven’t been so excited for a musical score in a show for a long time,” Thomson said. “I love the music in this show.”

The Christmas musical is the one time of year where the Children’s Theatre casts adults as well as youth.

There are six parent-child combos in this year’s show, and 20 adults in the cast.

Performances will be at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12, 13, 19, and 20, at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. The box office is open from 2:30-5:30 p.m. for special ticket prices on Dec. 11 and Dec.12. Tickets bought those two days are $6 for any performance. 

Regular ticket prices are $11 for adults, $9 for seniors, $8 for students and $7 for children under 10 and can be purchased online or at the box office one hour prior to performances.

For more information, call 837-4886 or email bpct@bigforksummerplayhouse.com or check out bigforksummerplayhouse.com.