by Robin A. Edgar

Since its debut in 1983, the motion picture A Christmas Story has joined the ranks of holiday film classics with It’s Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street.

Based on anecdotes from the book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd, the show is best remembered for the oft-repeated line, the bane of every kid who wants a BB gun for Christmas: “You’ll shoot your eye out.”

Even if you’ve seen the film, it’s worth seeing the stage version written by Philip Grecian, of this heartwarming story now showing at the Flat Rock Playhouse MainStage through Dec. 22.

Set in Hohman, Indiana, 9-year-old Ralph “Ralphie” Parker (Clarke MacDonald) wants only one thing for Christmas: an official Red Ryder BB Gun with a compass and sundial in the stock. Refused by his mother (Leslie Collins) who says, “You’ll shoot your eye out,”  he comes up with various schemes to make his case, but they all seem to fail. He gets a C+ for his essay and the same admonition about wanting the BB gun for Christmas from his teacher, Miss Shields (Erin Mosher). Even the local department store Santa warns him about his eye and offers a football instead as he pushes Ralphie down the long exit slide.

Narrated by Ralph as an adult (Scott Treadwell), the storyline is dotted with hilarious subplots and recurring themes based on other short stories by Shepherd, such as the lamp shaped like a fishnet stocking-covered woman’s leg that Ralphie’s Old Man (Gordon McConnel) wins in a sweepstake.

There is also Ralphie’s kid brother, Randy (Trey Shirlin), who battles with his mother over eating his food and always has to go wee wee at the wrong moment.

Ralphie and his friends have to deal with the neighborhood bully, Scut Farkus (Rohan Myers) and a giggling gaggle of girls that include Esther Jane (Marie Janos), a potential love interest for Ralphie; the class genius, Helen (Isabella Rundell; and their friend (Gracie Mayar).

One incident that many audience members may relate to is when Ralphie lets the dreaded “Queen Mother of Dirty Words” slip out while helping his father change a flat and thereby getting the proverbial bar of soap shoved in his mouth by his mother.

There are also several fantasy sequences that depict Ralphie’s daydreams of glory, such as vanquishing a group of villains with his Red Ryder BB gun. He also imagines vindication in a scene where his parents experience remorse over his tragic case of soap poisoning.

The excellent cast, directed with comedic aplomb by Playhouse Associate Artistic Director, Lisa K. Bryant, as well as the appropriately appointed set, designed by Dennis C. Maulden and costumes by Ashli Arnold, guarantee a night that will tickle the funny bones of any age group.

In addition to very delightful performances by the younger cast (who appear to be having a great deal of fun), the adults are entertaining as well. Treadwell does a phenomenal job keeping the storyline interesting.

McConnel captures the cartoonish character of the father quite well, especially with his nonsensical gibberish that he uses for cursing. Mosher stands out as everyone’s worst nightmare teacher and Collins as the long-suffering, monochromatic mother.

For a night of heartwarming humor and holiday nostalgia, you won’t want to miss the Flat Rock Playhouse stage production of A Christmas Story.

A Christmas Story at Playhouse Mainstage, Dec. 4 – 22.

Location: Playhouse Mainstage, located at 2661 Greenville Hwy in Flat Rock, NC.

Times: Wednesday through Saturday evening at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Tickets:  Call the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-732-8008 or online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org.