Cleveland Play House’s ‘A Christmas Story’ takes us all back to a simpler time

In the lobby of the Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio where Philip Grecian’s “A Christmas Story” is currently on stage there is a free standing automatic selfie camera. You grab a large cardboard that has one of the quotes from the show, tap the screen, countdown five seconds and voila once you OK the image you can have it sent to your e-mail address or phone. Ingenious! They include placards with well worn quotes such as “You’ll shoot your eye out”, “It’s a major award”, “He looks like a pink nightmare”, and “Meatloaf, smeatloaf, double beatloaf. I hate meatloaf” among others.

The reason I mention this is because not only was it great fun (I did it twice because I got there early) but the fact that “A Christmas Story” is chock full of great quotable one liners that everyone can relate to.

Ralphie Parker is on a single minded Christmas quest to receive an Official Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle with a compass and “this thing that tells time” embedded in the stock. The only problem is he is up against formidable adversity. Everywhere he turns he is confronted by the same litany “You’ll shoot your eye out”. From his mom, his teacher and even the Higbee's Santa Claus it is the same stern warning. Fact is when I was growing up we all had bb guns, sling shots, cap pistols, bikes and other methods to maim ourselves yet we all grew up pretty much unscathed (except for the odd scar or two).

Along the way there are a multitude of side stories concerning the neighborhood bully, Ralphie’s friends: Flick, Schwartz and his brother Randy, stupid things kids do on a dare (or in this case a triple dog dare), a Little Orphan Annie Decoder Pin, endless meals of red cabbage and meatloaf, the Bumpus hounds and Esther Jane. This is the eighth year that Cleveland Play House has staged this holiday favorite now on its third iteration. All of the same one liners are included from the 1983 movie as well as all the well worn traditions we can all relate to.

Dan Butler as the adult Ralph and narrator is superb, guiding us through the story with a calm and measured voice. Will Mayock as Ralphie is superb as the bb gun obsessed nine year old and works well with adult Ralph in a variety of scenes. Greg Stuhr as the old man has impeccable timing in his portrayal of a man on the outside looking in. Derdriu Ring is a perfect casting as Miss Shields. Declan Robertson as Scut Farkas gives the part his all with a high degree of energy. Blaire Tobin as Randy (the brother) has the silly laugh and “I have to pee” nailed down. Parker Towns as Esther Jane (the love interest for Ralphie) is cute as a button. Q Zachary as Schwartz the instigator has the brass. Louis Guzowski as the hapless and terminally sore Flick does a great job. Nicole Sumlin as Mother is superb as the go between. Her reactions to the leg lamp are priceless.

Riw Rakkulchon has designed an improved set that seamlessly changes right in front of our eyes. Tracy Dorman does the costume design somehow finding 40s era clothes. Michael Boll does a superb turn as lighting designer and Joanna Lynne Staub has the sound design perfected. The play is superbly directed by Jackson Gay.

One thing that I noticed as the audience members began to file in for the show was that for the most part it was family groups coming to share the play together. This totally relatable tale simply has a soft spot for everyone. Bring someone you love...I triple dog dare you.

The Cleveland Play House production of “A Christmas Story” will be on stage in the Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square through December 21, 2025. For more information and tickets go to https://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/ or call (216) 241-6000.