Delta Center Stage is set to present “A Christmas Story,” bringing to life a community-driven stage adaptation of the holiday classic. Director Robin Kelly believes the show captures the true spirit of Christmas: “Everyone has their favorite Christmas memory, whether it’s shiny and new or a bit old and tarnished. It’s still yours. From old family traditions to making new memories, they’re not always tied up neatly with a bow. Sometimes it’s just a bit of Christmas chaos! But it’s always magical! I believe that’s the essence of A Christmas Story”.
Audiences will follow young Ralphie Parker on his quest for the ultimate Christmas gift while his family navigates festive ups and downs. Actor Ryan Eagle (the Old Man) connects personally with the story, recalling, “I can think of one Christmas memory from my childhood that could possibly become a scene in this show and it was the year that what I really wanted was a pocket knife. In our family there is one particular uncle who can be a bit of a prankster. He made all of us cousins open our gifts from him at the same time. I remember opening a box to a bunch of tissue paper and a pair of fingernail clippers. I remember thinking ‘Who would ever ask for fingernail clippers for Christmas?’ Before he handed me a new pocket knife. I don’t remember what any of my cousins got as prank gifts or the real ones but I do remember the look on his face and the sound of him laughing as we all sat there perplexed at his horrible gift giving. While I didn’t grow up watching the film I can definitely see how it became such a staple for so many people’s holiday traditions. I think we all have memories of Christmases from our childhood that are like Ralph’s. Some of the details may be murky around the edges but what remains clear in the center is that feeling of magic and wonder on Christmas Day, as well as the hope and worry that lead up to it!”.
Sarah Sterling, who plays Mother, shares her excitement: “From TBS binge-watcher to cast member, little me would be freaking out right now. Performing my childhood favorite with my family—pure holiday joy!”. The production runs Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. and features a Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and children, available at the E.E. Bass Office, The Shoppes on South Main, and online.
The cast list includes: Kyle Manning as Ralph (adult/narrator), Felix Sterling as Ralphie Parker, Sarah Sterling as Mother, Ryan Eagle as the Old Man, Fisher Weissenger as Randy Parker, Catherine Kirk as Miss Shields, Derrick Simmons Jr. as Flick, Alyce Tominello as Esther Jane, Aubree Herman as Helen Weathers, Tre Sterling as Scut Farkas, Hunter Sterling as Farkas Toadie, Dalton Devall in multiple roles, Wade Chambers as Santa’s voice, Lynette Stafford as Schwartz’s Mother, Floyd Sterling as Radio Announcer, Robin Kelly as Public Address, plus Madison Hardy, KLa Jenkins, Emilye Thompson, Adyson McDaniel, Katie Floyd, Ava Laws, Annadale Norris, Elin Simmons, Carter Simmons, Madelyn Stanford, Laura Kirk, Naudita Jasuja, Keysha Hamilton, Cuwanda Simmons, and Makeasha Hardy.
This report compiled with the assistance of Perplexity AI.
