CENTERVILLE—Nothing kicks off the holiday season better than “A Christmas Story” the musical version of the movie of the same name. CenterPoint Legacy Theatre’s production of the classic story brings together music, humor and beloved characters like 9-year-old Ralphie Parker whose only wish is a Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model BB gun.

Ralphie comes up with all kinds of ways to convince his parents that the BB gun would be the perfect gift. He thinks the best way to his end goal is through his mother but when he mentions it she says, “You’ll shoot your eye out!”

However, he is not deterred. When his teacher Miss Shields gives the class an assignment to write an essay about what they want for Christmas, Ralphie sees a way in. If he gets an A his parents are sure to get him the gun. While writing the essay Ralphie starts to daydream about defending Miss Shields and the townsfolk from a rowdy group of robbers with his BB gun. 

When Miss Shields finally hands back the essays, Ralphie anticipates seeing the A+ oozing off of the pages but instead he gets a big fat C. What can he do now? Christmas is only days away and he sees the BB gun slipping through his fingers.

Ralphie hopes a visit to Santa at Higbee’s Department store will give him a chance to ask the Jolly old elf for his prized gun. After waiting in a long line, Ralphie sits on Santa’s lap but when he tries to say what he wants, he freezes. When an inpatient Santa suggests a football, Ralphie finds himself repeating it and then he gets pushed down Santa’s slide. A football – he can’t believe it and tries to climb back up but Santa stretches out a toe and pushes him back down. Now what? How will ever get his gun?

The show is full of all the things that have made the show a classic, like the iconic leg lamp, the triple dog dare that makes Ralphie’s friend stick his tongue to the flag pole and the Chinese restaurant on Christmas Day.

Dan Call (TTHS) is stellar as Jean Shepard who narrates the show. Hunter Jones (TTHS) plays a perfect Ralphie right down to the glasses and fur hat. Old Man, Ralphie’s dad, played by Greg Larsen (TTHS) dreams of winning the top prize with his crossword puzzles and when he receives a “top” prize of a leg lamp he proudly displays it in the front window much to the dismay of his patient wife played by Katrine Frandsen (TTHS). 

“A Christmas Story” is a fun filled, heartwarming holiday classic for the whole family. The show runs through Dec. 16, Monday – Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with select Saturday matinees. Ticket prices are $24 – $41 and are available online at centerpointtheatre.org or at the box office 801-298-1302. CenterPoint Theatre is located at 525 N. 400 West in Centerville.