Christmas comes to the Cape's stages, bringing a stocking stuffed with laughter

Jay Pateakos and Shannon Goheen, Contributing Writers
·6 min read

'A Christmas Story: The Musical' offers more than the movie

The Show: "A Christmas Story: The Musical" at Cape Cod Theatre Company in West Harwich

What it is about:   Nine-year-old Ralphie Parker wants a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas and will do anything to convince his parents and Santa of its importance while most, including his mother and teacher, continue to warn him that he’ll “shoot his eye out.” A great show about the importance of friendship, family and standing up for what you believe in.

Jack Baumrind as Ralphie curses and earns himself a mouthful of soap from his mom, played by Rebecca Smith, in a scene from "A Christmas Story: The Musical."
Jack Baumrind as Ralphie curses and earns himself a mouthful of soap from his mom, played by Rebecca Smith, in a scene from "A Christmas Story: The Musical."

See It or Not?  See it for sure. Most of us have seen the 1983 classic, sometimes every year, but the musical brings its own brand of special-ness: a number of awesome scenes that were never in the movie make it a more well-rounded experience.  If you need something to kick off your holiday spirit, this show would be it.

Highlight of the Show:  Jack Baumrind makes for a sensational Ralphie Parker, from mannerisms to facial expressions, even his awesome singing.  Artistic Director Kate Pazakis said as soon as Baumrind stepped into the rehearsal, they knew immediately he was perfect for the Ralphie role and they were so spot on.

Fun fact:  There were 17 children performing in the show, nine of whom were making their theater debut, but you wouldn’t know it as their singing and dance routines were spectacular. Look for their wonderful performances in “When You’re a Wimp,” “Sticky Situation” and “Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana.”

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Worth Noting:  The Musical, which opened on Broadway in 2012, is far more diverse and all-encompassing than the original movie, including a wonderfully touching scene involving Ralphie’s friend Schwartz’s family humorously celebrating Hanukkah and how females were cast ― and excelled ― in the roles of Ralphie’s friend Flick (yes, the one who stuck her tongue to the pole), played by Stella Seufert, Ralphie’s brother Randy played by Zoey MacBride and bully Scut Farkus, performed by Kelly Martin.

One More Thing:  Actually, a few more things.  Ralphie’s parents in the show, played by Rick and Rebecca Smith, are, yes, married in real life.  Look for some of their great performances in “The Genius on Cleveland Street,” “Major Award” and “Just Like That.” Narrator and original author of the story Jean Shepherd is played by Michael McCartney, the most perfect narrator ever, matching his boyhood facial expressions with Ralphie’s throughout the play.  A masterful performance!

If you go: Runs through Dec. 30, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 28-29 at 7 p.m. Cape Cod Theatre Co., 105 Division St., West Harwich, 508-432-2002. Tickets and information:  www.capecodtheatrecompany.org

Jay Pateakos

'Farndale' in Falmouth is a funny rewrite of Dickens' classic

The show: “The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of A Christmas Carol by A Comedy!” by the Falmouth Theatre Guild

Written by: David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin, Jr.

Cast members, left to right, Todd Sadler, Cathy Smith and Bonnie Fairbanks in a comedic take on Charles Dickens' classic Christmas tale.
Cast members, left to right, Todd Sadler, Cathy Smith and Bonnie Fairbanks in a comedic take on Charles Dickens' classic Christmas tale.

What It’s About: The women of The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society or FAHETGDS as they call themselves, are on an American tour with their Christmas play.  This troupe of actors with talents ranging from none to middling have made “improvements” to the classic Dickens “A Christmas Carol.” The characters then bumble through a nutty reinterpretation of the story adding modern updates, a touch of raunchiness and slapstick galore.  Their antics are so off the charts that the only glue holding the production together is The Christmas Carol story that winds its way throughout. It’s a wacky “play within a play,” rife with arguments, confusion and plenty of genuinely funny moments.

Highlight of the Show: These are good actors portraying lousy actors and doing a great job of it.  They really are awful, which is both shocking and funny, because we aren’t accustomed to watching truly terrible stage work. The site gags are silly, the spare set is clever and fortunately almost all of the dialogue is clear.  Waiting for the next awful moment is part of the fun.

Fun Fact: Walter Zerlin Jr. was an English barrister who defended Monty Python’s John Cleese and stepped through the door Cleese opened into acting.  He was also a musician and playwright who wrote, with partner David McGillivray, 10 plays for the Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society series until his early death in 2001.  McGillivray is best known for his work in the British porn and horror industry in the 1970s after which he moved to writing plays and stand-up comedy.

See it or not: If you enjoy slapstick and complete silliness, this is for you.  It’s not a feel-good Christmas story for the whole family so don’t bring young children.  There isn’t enough action to keep them engaged.  In fact, the whole production could be faster-paced so the audience has less time to attempt to make sense of things.  Thinking is not helpful because relaxing in the midst of lunacy is the main draw here.

Worth noting: Bonnie Fairbanks as Felicity Jane Hudson manages to command the stage in every scene she’s in with some particularly hilarious moments. Her dancing and walking up and down stairs are among the best gags. The Widow Doyle as Mrs. Phoebe Reece narrates, portrays multiple characters and is the principal who holds the ill-fated production together.  Todd Sadler as Gordon Pugh plays a great Jacob Marley and Milo Caruso ― always in drag ― is a convincing woman in pain who gets progressively more drunk as the evening progresses.  Cathy Smith as Thelma Greenwood is Scrooge garnering laughs from her griping to the melodramatic delivery of her lines.

One More Thing: The irreverent “improvements” the FAHETGDS make to “A Christmas Carol” come to further ruin through the unfortunate circumstance, according to the narrator, of lost costumes, sets and players.  It seems that bringing their presumptive opus magnus to the USA to unveil glad tidings results in a host of little disasters.  But hewing to the mantra of theater ― “the show must go on” ― the troupe of incompetents manage to cobble together their Christmas offering with exceedingly silly comedy.

If you go: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 11.  The Falmouth Theatre Guild, 58 Highfield Drive, Falmouth. Tickets $30, $28 seniors and $25 under 18. www.FalmouthTheatreGuild.org or 508-548-0400.

Shannon Goheen

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: 'Christmas Story: The Musical' has scenes not in the 1983 movie