The beloved classic holiday film “A Christmas Story” will come to life on stage as a musical at Mansfield’s Renaissance Theatre this November. The Broadway musical, composed by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul best known for award-winning hits like “Dear Evan Hansen” and “La La Land,” features a contemporary score alongside a script adapted from the popular holiday film.
The production is directed by Michael Thomas, with music direction by Kelly Knowlton, choreography by Shannon Maloney, and set design by Jason Kaufman. The cast is led by local performers Rusty Cates, Maddie Beer, Colton Penwell, Bryce Dials, William Gorgas, and Landon Flint. In total, nearly 30 local performers create the cast.
The musical also features two trained dogs, a boxer named Roxy and a plott hound named Brownie. The dogs are owned by Josh and Jen Groves and trained by their daughter Natalie Groves as a part of her 4-H project.
The show retains all of the charm of the original film, but adds an incredible and complex score that’s both nostalgic and contemporary,” says Michael Thomas.
Performances are November 11 and 18 at 8 PM, and November 12 and 19 at 2:30 PM at the Renaissance Theatre. Tickets are on sale now starting at $15 at MansfieldTickets.com, as well as at the Renaissance Box Office and via phone at (419)522-2726. A limited number of $50 Family Four Packs are also available only at the Box Office.
“A Christmas Story the Musical” is presented as a part of the 17-18 Richland Bank Broadway Series with sponsorship by Warren Rupp and K.E. McCartney and Associates. Additional funding for the Renaissance is provided by the Ohio Arts Council.
Source, Photo: Renaissance Performing Arts Association
