"A Christmas Story" Opens This Weekend at the Arsenal Center for the Arts

A few decades ago, moviegoers were introduced to a little boy and his quest for his ultimate Christmas gift: an Official Red Ryder Air Rifle. Now Ralphie Parker’s schemes to get the toy of his dreams have moved from screen to stage as the New Repertory Theatre and arsenalArts presents "A Christmas Story."

The show opens at the Arsenal Center for the Arts this Sunday and runs through Christmas Eve.

This production is directed by Diego Arciniegas, who began rehearsals 2-1/2 weeks ago. He sees the show as more about growing up than Christmas.

"This is a 'coming of age' story, taking place against the backdrop of the holidays rather than being about them," he said. "It has a more inclusive message than other holiday shows, in that we share a greater common experience of the mayhem that can occur at this time of the year than we do in the specific holiday being celebrated. I'm hoping that families of all definitions see themselves reflected in this story."

The production includes 12 cast members, seven of which are children. 

"Children have a more natural performative impulse than adults," Arciniegas said. "Adults may have more technique than kids, but I find I can use the same vocabulary to work with either. The biggest surprise has been that when I treat a young actor with the same respect and expectations I have for adults, they not only deliver, they exceed [my] expectation."

Two of the child actors reside in Watertown. Amelia Doyle, a fifth-grader at Hosmer School, plays Scut Farkas (the bully). Lowell School third-grader David Farwell plays Randy (Raphie’s younger brother).   

The performances take place in the Charles Mosesian Theater from Dec. 11 through Dec. 24. Senior and student discounts are available. For show times and ticket prices, visit the New Rep’s website.