I’m only going to recommend this musical to those who really enjoy musicals and enjoyed the original film. It’s one thing to love the iconic film, but if you are not into musicals, “A Christmas Story Live!” is not for you. But if you are into musicals, you will find it to be entertaining and worth watching.
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TITLE: A Christmas Story Live!
FILM YEAR: 2017
DURATION: 2 Hrs and 13 Minutes
CHANNEL: FOX
Based on the Screenplay by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, Bob Clark
Based on the Novel “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash” by Jean Shepherd
Based on the Stage Musical “A Christmas Story” by Joseph Robinette, Benj Pasek, Justin Paul
Directed by Scott Ellis, Alex Rudzinski
Teleplay by Robert Cary, Jonathan Tollins
Producer: Robert Cary, Jonathan Tolins
Executive Producers: Marc Platt, Alex Ruzinski, Adam Siegel D
Associate Producer: Dave Solomon, Jeremy Tominberg
Casting by Tiffany Little Canfield, Rachel Hoffman, Samantha Marzec, Bernard Telsey
Production Design by Jo Celli
Art Direction by Resa Joregnsen
Set Decoration by Jason Howard
Costume Design: William Ivey Long
Starring:
Maya Rudolph as Mother Parker
Chris Diamantopoulos as Old Man Parker
Andy Walken as Ralphie Parker
Tyler Wladis as Randy
Jane Krakowski as Miss Sheilds
Matthew Broderick as Ralphie as an Adult
Ana Gasteyer as Mrs. Schwartz
Ken JKeong as Christmas Tree Man/Chinese Restaurant Owner
David Alan Grier as Santa Claus
Fed Armisen as Elf
Bebe Rexhas as Opening Number Singer
We are nine days away from Christmas and for day 46, I am checking out the musical “A Christmas Story Live!”.
Now, when this musical was released on FOX television, I guess there was not much promotion that it was a musical. So, when it aired, you have those who loved musicals that enjoyed it and those who expected some sort of live stage version of “A Christmas Story” (the iconic 1983 film that this musical adaptation is based on). And needless to say, those who weren’t expecting a musical absolutely hated it.
So, a question that many of you may wonder is “should I watch this?”.
Back in high school, I have had the pleasure to have a wonderful teacher and friends who were into Broadway plays and musicals and for me, it started with “Les Miserables”, “A Phantom of the Opera” and “The Will Rogers Follies”. And of course, add numerous Disney films and their soundtracks and Opera music and classical music to broaden my horizons and so, I’m very much open to musicals.
Reading of the negative comments about this musical, I wasn’t surprised. “Musicals”, may it be Broadway, film, stage, it’s not for everyone. But for those who are able to be open to such a thing, may find “A Christmas Story Live!” to be entertaining.
For one, while based on the 1983 film which is set in the 1940s, for the most part, this a modern version of the film as the film is narrated by an adult Ralphie (played by Matthew Broderick), as the adult talks about himself when he was much younger..
Of course, you have to throw out anything politically correct out the window, with Caucasian and African-Americans in harmony (which was not the case in the 1940s) and of course, Ralphie is known for his blue eyes, which Mathew Broderick (adult Ralphie) does not have. And of course, unlike the original film, you get a holiday pop opening performance by singer Bebe Rexha.
But for the most part, you get the major moments of the original film showcased in this musical.
Maya Rudolph and Chris Diamatopoulos did a fantastic job as Ralphie’s parents. Usually for Maya Rudolph, we have seen her as the “Saturday Night Live” comedian but even through that show and on others shows, she is able to showcase her wonderful voice, which is no surprise as she comes from a musical family and the daughter of legendary soul singer Minnie Riperton.
I think if anything, the biggest score for this holiday film is the casting of young Ralphie (portrayed by Andy Walken). Andy bares a resemblance to a young Peter Billingsley (especially when wearing the winter cap) but so much rides on the shoulders of young Andy of playing and singing as Ralphie. There were times watching and saying “breathe carefully before you belt out those long notes” at the end of each musical number that he was responsible for. At times, I admit, I was worried he would pass out for a young child in charge for a long musical number. But the kid, did wonderful
Actually, everyone in the film did wonderful and it was great to see David Alan Grier, Jane Krakowski, Fred Armisen in this film as well.
But I’m only going to recommend this musical to those who really enjoy musicals and enjoyed the original film. It’s one thing to love the iconic film, but if you are not into musicals, “A Christmas Story Live!” is not for you. But if you are into musicals, you will find it to be entertaining and worth watching.
