Christmas Story play coming to Asheville

Release from Asheville Community Theatre. A holiday staple...

Are you hoping for peace, harmony, comfort and joy this holiday? So is Ralphie Parker, at least in the form of a special Christmas present. But his dreams may just have to wait. ACT will present this American Christmas classic on Dec. 2 through Dec. 12, playing on Thursday and Fridays at 7:30pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30pm.

Tickets are $22 for adults, $19 for students and seniors and $12 for children.

A Christmas Story follows nine year old Ralphie Parker’s quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun as a gift for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case be­fore his parents, writes a paper on the subject for his teacher, and even enlists Santa Claus, himself, when he visits him at Goldblatt’s Department Store. Ev­eryone, however, just tells him: “You’ll shoot your eye out!” Determined, Ralphie invents creative ways to keep the idea of the Red Ryder BB gun first and foremost in his parents’ minds. He refuses to con­sider the thought that he may not get what he wants, despite being constantly told “no.”

Based on the 1983 movie of the same name, which in turn was based on humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoirs and short stories, the adaptation of the play was written by Philip Grecian. All the elements from the beloved movie are included - from the family’s temperamental exploding furnace to the boys’ experiment with a wet tongue on a frozen lamppost. It even includes when Ralphie’s father finally wins one of the many contests he enters. The prize? A lamp shaped like a leg! Watching A Christmas Story every year is considered a tradition for many people across the country, and we hope that you’ll enjoy it, too!

Adapted by Philip Grecian from the story by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark Directed by Susan Dillard

Online at www.ashevilletheatre.org or by calling 828-254-1320.