Nine-year-old Ralphie Parker wants just one thing for Christmas: an Official Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun. But with everyone from his mother to his teacher to Santa warning he’ll “shoot his eye out,” Ralphie sets out to prove them wrong in a series of hilarious and heartfelt adventures. Along the way, his vivid imagination brings showstopping musical numbers to life, from wild cowboy heroics to glamorous fantasy sequences, while his Old Man dreams of glory through a zany contest and his infamous “major award.” Full of quirky characters, big laughs, and holiday heart, A Christmas Story: The Musical is a nostalgic treat for the whole family.

Jean Shepherd/Narrator (40’s to 60’s):
Jean Shepherd is the actual author of the books that the story is based on, as well as the actual narrator voice we hear in the 1983 movie! On stage, he is a warm, charismatic, and engaging storyteller; omniscient but not overpowering. A good-natured curmudgeon with a deadpan sense of humor, “Jean” focuses the action, keeps the story moving, and holds the audience’s attention with his presence and spark. Throughout the show, the actor playing this role acts as a narrator, interacts with the actor playing Ralphie, and appears in scenes as different minor characters–sometimes within one scene! This actor must be very comfortable with audiences and must be able to “read the crowd” and tell the story at the same time. This actor sings one line at the end of the show and does not dance.

Ralphie (9 to 11):
Vocal range for Ralphie is F#3 to D5
A 5th grade boy who wants an Air Rifle for Christmas: specifically the Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun. He is a bright, winsome, mischievous, cute kid…someone you wouldn’t mind having as a next door neighbor. (He might shovel your driveway for you–and then use your shovel as a sled!) Not a smart-aleck or overly precocious, Ralphie’s imagination drives several scenes. The actor playing this role carries several songs; he must be an excellent singer and fluent reader with mega-watt stage presence. Ralphie’s dance is minimal.

The Old Man (30’s to 40’s):
Vocal range for The Old Man is B2 to G4
Gruff and grumbling on the exterior, Ralphie’s Dad has a good heart. He doesn’t overtly show it, but he does love his family. A blue-collar guy, he usually expects the worst out of most situations, but is transformed into a true “song and dance” man in his moments of fantasy. The actor playing this character must be a strong singer and a good dancer who isn’t afraid to go “over the top” for comedic purposes.

Mother (30’s to 40’s):
Vocal range is G3 to D5
She is the secret engine that runs the family, keeping the household together with a smile–despite bickering children, limited funds, an x-rated lamp in the living room window, a cranky furnace, and a crankier husband. She would never let The Old Man know that she is more in charge than he is–as is appropriate for a housewife of this era! Vibrant, warm, affable–but not a pushover–she is always busy, especially anytime she is in the kitchen, and even more so at Christmas-time! The actor who plays this role must be an excellent singer, a good dancer, and must be very comfortable with children.

Randy (8-10):
Vocal range for Randy is F#3 to D5
Ralphie’s younger brother, he is cute, cuddly, lovable and whiny – like most baby brothers! He looks up to his big brother, tries to keep up with him, and is young enough that he can be convinced to eat his dinner like a baby piggy! The actor playing this role must be an excellent singer, a good dancer, a fluent reader, and have strong stage presence. This actor may also be a featured tap dance performer.

Miss Shields (30’s to 50s):
Vocal range is F#3 to D5
Ralphie’s 5th grade teacher, a seemingly stereotypical 1940s educator–prim and proper, stern when necessary–though warm and even humorous when the situation merits it. In Ralphie’s fantasy, she transforms into a dynamic, brassy, show-stopping belter and tap-dancing phenomenon! The person playing this role must be an excellent singer with a strong belt voice, an experienced tap dancer, and an actor who can handle comedy AND children! Auditionees for Miss Shields should bring tap shoes and be prepared to demonstrate a few tap skills.

Santa (30’s to 60’s):
Audition song: “Up on Santa’s Lap”; vocal range is B2 to F4
The Santa Claus at Higbee’s Department Store is ill-tempered, slightly inebriated, and very unhappy with his job–nothing like the “Jolly Old Elf” of the Christmas stories! He gets rid of each kid as fast as he can–probably to shorten his day so he can head for the nearest “watering hole”! The actor playing this role must be a strong comedic actor and singer, and must be comfortable with children. He may be part of the adult male ensemble.

Flick (stage age 9/10):
A classmate and best buddy of Ralphie’s; Flick is the guinea pig in the flagpole licking experiment. The actor playing this role should be able to sustain and communicate with a serious lisp!

Schwartz (stage age 9/10):
A classmate and best buddy of Ralphie; Schwartz becomes the scapegoat when Ralphie utters an unmentionable word.

Scut Farkus (12-15):
A textbook example of a schoolyard bully, Scut is loud, obnoxious, and intimidating. This truant is a year or two older than Ralphie and his friends, and wears a perpetual scowl under his coonskin cap. He always appears at the most inopportune time to harass his victims. In the end, when he and his sidekick, Grover Dill, are bested, they show themselves to the biggest cowards of all.

Grover Dill (9-10):
Grover is Farkus’s toady, and is always at his side. Younger and smaller than Farkus, Grover delights in being tethered to his “hero”. His rapid-fire belly laughs, always heard with Farkus’s threats, make them the scourge of the neighborhood.

Kids ensemble (8-15) & Adult ensemble (20’s to 50’s):
Strong singers and dancers, who will play a variety of roles in scenes, as well as performing in larger production numbers.

Jerusha Abbot

A young girl of 18 years, who grew up and is now the oldest orphan at the John Grier Home. She is witty and intelligent with a natural talent for writing. She receives funding for college from the anonymous benefactor that she dubs Daddy Long Legs.

Gender: Female
Age: 18 to 30
Vocal range: Bb5-G3

Jervis Pendleton

“Daddy Longlegs,” aka Mr. John Smith, the beneficiary, is 30-something. He is an unwed aristocrat and “black sheep” of a wealthy family who is a shy, highly educated, and an East Coast philanthropist.

Gender: Male
Age: 30 to 45
Vocal range: G#4-G3