Fra-gee-lay. It must be Italian!

Oh, fudge!

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts Presents

Nov. 29Dec. 28, 2014

Your favorite holiday movie is now your favorite holiday musical

We triple-dog-dare you not to miss it!

ST. PAUL, Minn. (Oct. 28, 2014) The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is excited to present its 2014 holiday show, A Christmas Story, the Musical. The Ordway-produced musical comedy will run Nov. 29Dec. 28, 2014, for a total of 36 performances. Tickets are available now and can be purchased online at www.ordway.org, by phone at 651-224-4222 or in person at the Ordway ticket office.

The cast features Gary Briggle as Jean Shepherd, Billie Wildrick as Mother, Jake Goodman as Ralphie, James Ciccarelle as Randy, Dieter Bierbrauer as The Old Man and Erin Schwab as Miss Shields.

The ensemble includes Jack Ahern, Carter Bannwarth, Lisa Bartholemew-Given, Olivia Lyn Coon, Jennifer Eckes, Mario Esteb, Joshua Feldman, Larissa Gritti, Amasia Gordon, Michael Gruber, Reid Harmsen, Annie Hoffman, Lillie Horton, Olivia Huber, Sophia Huber, Suzie Juul, Nike Kadri, Gavin Kimmel, Brad Madison, Julianne Mundale, Hope Nordquist, Aja Parham, Kersten Rodau, Jack Romans, Randy Schmelling, Carl Schoenborn, Rudolph Searles III, Jay Soulen, Madeline Sundheim, Linda Talcott Lee, Brent Teclaw, Austene Van and Tony Vierling. The production also features Oliver and Argyle, two rescue dogs and acting veterans trained by legendary animal trainer, William Berloni.

A Christmas Story, the Musical is the hilarious account of Ralphie Parkers desperate quest to ensure that the most perfect of gifts, an Official Red Ryder® Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle, ends up under his tree this Christmas. Filled with nostalgia, quirky childhood innocence and all the best-loved scenes from the movie, this Ordway holiday production is a heartwarming event for the entire family.

We couldnt be more thrilled to be able to bring A Christmas Story, the Musical to life on the Ordway stage. The script is funny, charming and stays true to the classic movie that everyone knows and loves, said James A. Rocco, Ordways vice president of programming/producing artistic director. Fans of the movie will recognize all their favorite scenes, including the pink bunny pajamas, the leg lamp award, Ralphies Wild West fantasy, and of course, the infamous tongue stuck to the flagpole moment. The story has become a part of American culture, and the stage version builds on that with amazing music and extravagant dance numbers.

Directed and choreographed by award-winning duo James A. Rocco and Sharon Halley, this uproarious holiday musical features a book by Joseph Robinette based on the classic 1983 holiday film and the writings of Jean Shepherd. The show also features music and lyrics by Tony-nominated team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, one of Broadways hottest young songwriting duos known for their work on James and the Giant Peach and the hit television show Smash.

The productions creative team includes Jeff Rizzo (musical director), Raymond Berg (associate musical director), J Branson (scenic design), Wm. P. Healey (lighting design), Lynda L. Salsbury (costume design), Zach Williamson (sound design) and Robert A. Dunn (hair and make-up design).

A Christmas Story, the Musical opened on Broadway in November 2012, receiving three Tony Award nominations (Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score). The show was also nominated for two Outer Critics Circle Awards and six Drama Desk Awards.

For tickets and more information, visit www.ordway.org.

ABOUT THE ORDWAY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

The Ordway is widely recognized as one of the nations leading nonprofit performing arts centers and Saint Pauls most elegant and inviting performance space. The Ordways Music Theater and soon-to-be completed Concert Hall attract diverse audiences with an array of productions showcasing the finest in American musical theater, world music, dance and vocal performance. Education and community engagement are integral to the Ordways mission, with major initiatives including the annual Flint Hills International Childrens Festival and Ordway Education programs that serve more than 50,000 students annually. The Ordway also sponsors the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, a charter high school with a professionally guided academic and artistic environment that trains aspiring pre-professional performing artists. Together with the Minnesota Opera, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and The Schubert Club, the Ordway is a member of the Arts Partnership and serves as the principal venue for their performances. For more information, visit www.ordway.org.