Review: Holiday time capsule on display in ‘A Christmas Story’
by Bobby Williston
December 8, 2025
Theatre’s A Christmas Story is the gift of nostalgia neatly wrapped in a two-hour play and placed beneath the tree. And not only does it bring back memories for those who love the 1983 classic film, but, set in 1938, this production feels like a time capsule that presents the 1930s to a modern audience. The sold out performance on Sunday night had the audience chuckling regularly and enjoying the holiday festivities.
The story stays true to its source material and follows Ralphie Parker, a young boy who only wants one thing for Christmas: “a legendary official Red Ryder two-hundred shot carbine action range model air rifle with a compass and this thing which tells time built right into the stock.” Narrated by Ralph as an adult, we follow young Ralphie as he receives warning from his parents, his teacher, and even Santa Claus that if he gets a BB gun, he’ll shoot his eye out. Nevertheless, this is what he wants for Christmas.
The iconic elements from the film including the rifle, the licking of a lamppost, a pink bunny costume and a leg lamp all appear with aplomb and enthusiasm. Neither the script nor the presentation of the story deviate from expectations, but the play flows smoothly with almost seamless transitions.
The two-story set is properly grande and perfectly decorated. The combination of the set design (Ken Mackenzie) and lighting design (Whittyn Jason) allows for the large and bold house to feel separated from the front of the stage which serves as various locations including dream sequences.
