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MCT brings the beloved movie ‘A Christmas Story’ to life

Missoula Community Theatre (“MCT”) has been bringing quality theater to the Missoula community for quite a few years.  Every year we wait in anticipation for the announcement of the five shows that will comprise their season, and the 2016-2017 is one of their strongest to date.  The season kicked off with Disney’s Tarzan the Stage Musical, which we reviewed back in October.  Their second production, which ran December 1-18, was A Christmas Story, the Musical, and it played to mostly sold-out houses its entire run.

We had the opportunity to review the play on December 16, and we were not disappointed in the least.

Directed by MCT’s Executive Director, Michael McGill, and wonderfully choreographed by Christine Pepin, who had previously choreographed both Willy Wonka and Shrek the Musical, the show was musically directed by McGill and Eric Houchert, with scenic design by McGill, lighting design by Spencer Perry, Properties design by Lesley Washburn, costume design by Linda Muth and sound design by Gregory Boris.  Hannah Ettema also brilliantly stage managed the production.

There are very few among us who haven’t marveled at the wonder of this annual movie treat, or secretly wished they could help poor Ralphie get his Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun.  Those of us who are parents can probably understand why Mother and Dad were worried he’d “shoot his eye out.”  All of this drama is why A Christmas Story has become such a classic holiday favorite.  This musical captures the best of the movie and tells the story in such a way that it compels the audience to become an active part of the story.

The true stars of this production were the children, from the outstanding portrayals of Ralphie and his brother Randy by Scott Larson and Finn Goss to the absolute cuteness of their friends, especially Emily Fortune as Mary Beth, Olivia Farnes as Esther Jane and Alexa McLean and Harley Pohl Smith, who stole the show with their amazing dancing.  Quinn Wyland as Flick also had his moments, especially the hilarious “tongue stuck to the flagpole” portion.

On the adult side of the story, the spotlight shone brightest on Mother, played by Colleen Rosbarsky; Miss Shields, played by Dara Wilson and The Old Man, played by Alex Kowalchik.  Scoob Decker was also instrumental in the production with his stellar portrayal of grown-up Ralphie, aka radio personality Jean Shepherd, while Casey Chaloupek, Ellen Taylor, Erik Heuchert, Heidi Sedivy, Jessica Ballard, Kelly Wilson, Mandy Elgin and Scott Ranf contributed to the adult ensemble, ably performing their roles.  We also thoroughly loved the Miss Shields dream sequence and the lamp dance, featuring Mother and the other ladies dressed as the lamp.

Big thanks to MCT for bringing this Christmas classic to our community.  We can all hardly wait for the next production, Urinetown, the Musical, which debuts on January 19, 2017.