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    Friday, November 08, 2024

    Ralphie’s world: Goodspeed presents ‘A Christmas Story’

    Goodspeed Musicals presents “A Christmas Story - The Musical.” (Diane Sobolewski)

    In recent years, Goodspeed Musicals has often turned its November-December slot to a holiday musical, whether it be “Holiday Inn” or “A Christmas in Connecticut.”

    This year, it’s the musical version of the cult classic 1983 film “A Christmas Story,” which opens Friday and runs through Dec. 29 at the Goodspeed Opera House.

    The story, culled from Jean Shepherd’s “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash,” focuses on young Ralphie’s big wish for Christmas: a BB gun. But he has to deal with other issues, from a local bully to a distracted father.

    The movie became a musical more than a decade ago. Writing the tunes? Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the team who also created the songs for “Dear Evan Hansen,” “La La Land” and “Only Murders in the Building.” It features a book by Joseph Robinette.

    Hunter Foster directs the Goodspeed production, and Mara Newbery Greer choreographs.

    A note on buying tickets: Goodspeed is offering an “early bird” special for “A Christmas Story.” You can get 20% off your ticket for any nighttime performance between Nov. 1 and Nov. 17. Call the box office or go online at goodspeed.org with the code Earlybird20.

    A Goodspeed connection: Pasek and Paul have seen another of their shows produced at Goodspeed. They developed their version of “James and the Giant Peach” at Goodspeed’s Terris Theatre in Chester in 2010.

    “A Christmas Story,” Fri.-Dec. 29, The Goodspeed, 6 Main St., East Haddam; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wed., 7:30 p.m. Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 3 and 8 p.m. Sat., and 2 p.m. Sun.; also 2 p.m. on select Thursdays and 6:30 p.m. on select Sundays; special holiday schedules for Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks; tickets $30 and up; (860) 873-8668, goodspeed.org.

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