Delightful `Christmas Story' in Barre.Byline: Paul Kolas The following correction was published Dec. 6, 2007: Patrick Cumming portrayed the littlest "tree" in the Barre Players' production of "A Christmas Story." Because of a reporting error, the character was incorrectly identified in a review in yesterday's Telegram & Gazette. ------------------------ COLUMN: THEATER REVIEW BARRE - Yep, Ralphie Parker is back with his Daisy Red Ryder 200 shot Carbine carbine Light, short-barreled rifle. The first carbines, from the muzzle-loading muskets of the 18th century to the lever-action repeaters of the 19th, were chiefly cavalry weapons or saddle firearms for mounted frontiersmen. Action BB gun. You know, the one with the compass and the thing that tells time in the stock. You might even call it a double-barreled BB gun, since you have your choice of seeing "A Christmas Story" at Foothills Theatre and Barre Players this coming weekend. Based on Barre Players' commendably conceived, directed and acted production on Saturday night, it's a safe bet your odds are at least 50-50 you won't be disappointed if you're a voracious theatergoer and see both. Director David Glanville makes nifty use of the spacious Barre Players Theater stage, converting a swinging fence gate into a classroom or a department store Santa slide in the blink of an eye. Jean Shepherd's autobiographical account of his childhood in 1940s small-town Indiana never seems to wear out its welcome mat, perhaps because it's grounded in such quaint familiarity. One of the great strengths of this production is the unflagging narrative charm of Roger Brunelle as the adult Ralph. His running commentary of the recollective rec·ol·lect v. rec·ol·lect·ed, rec·ol·lect·ing, rec·ol·lects v.tr. To recall to mind. See Synonyms at remember. v.intr. To remember something; have a recollection. events onstage is zestful, humorous, affectionate, and gently sardonic. Giving a hugely engaging and convivial con·viv·i·al adj. 1. Fond of feasting, drinking, and good company; sociable. See Synonyms at social. 2. Merry; festive: a convivial atmosphere at the reunion. performance that ushers us seamlessly into Ralphie's boyhood family life, he's an omnipresent om·ni·pres·ent adj. Present everywhere simultaneously. [Medieval Latin omnipres delight. He's matched by a wonderful Larry Johnson as "The Old Man," or in other words Adv. 1. in other words - otherwise stated; "in other words, we are broke" put differently , Ralphie's dad. Johnson plays him like a less alarming version of Homer Simpson. One of the most inspired scenes is Glanville's use of "The Dance Of the Sugar Plum Fairies Sugar Plum Fairies is a folk band from Norway formed in 2000, consisting of six members: Øyvind Berge (vocals/guitars/bass/pitch-pipe/backing vocals), Merethe Jørgensdottir Reinskås (guitar/piano/trumpet/accordion), Birgith Jørgensdottir Reinskås (keyboards/euphonium), Gro " from the "Nutcracker" during The Old Man's tussle with The Mother (Tammy Cote) over the flicking on and off of the fishnet female leg lamp The Old Man won in a contest. As the music accelerates, so does the will to have it his or her way. Cote plays off Johnson slyly, especially when she's answering arcane quiz questions he stumbles over. She's also a riot as the overprotective o·ver·pro·tect tr.v. o·ver·pro·tect·ed, o·ver·pro·tect·ing, o·ver·pro·tects To protect too much; coddle: overprotected their children. mother who covers Ralphie's younger brother Randy (an absolutely precious Aidan Cote, yes, she's his mommy in real life) in so many layers of clothing on a particularly cruel winter morning, that he can't keep his arms at his side. As for the young Ralphie, Stephen Keimig deserves a far better grade as an actor than the C+ Miss Shields gives him on an essay about what he wants for Christmas, displaying a bookish book·ish adj. 1. Of, relating to, or resembling a book. 2. Fond of books; studious. 3. Relying chiefly on book learning: , horn-rimmed glasses appeal that feels just right for the part. Wendy Scott scores a bull's-eye as the imperious im·pe·ri·ous adj. 1. Arrogantly domineering or overbearing. See Synonyms at dictatorial. 2. Urgent; pressing. 3. Obsolete Regal; imperial. Miss Shields, glaring down at her young wards from her podium with matronly regard. Of the shows many fantasy sequences, one of the funniest is when she rapturously rap·tur·ous adj. Filled with great joy or rapture; ecstatic. raptur·ous·ly adv. declares Ralphie's essay to be the greatest thing she's ever read. Another inventive bit is when the Parkers go shopping for a Christmas tree Christmas tree Evergreen tree, usually decorated with lights and ornaments, to celebrate the Christmas season. The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands as symbols of eternal life was common among the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. , and all the young girls in the cast are dressed in green outfits with hoods, to simulate trees, and the littlest one is picked out by The Old Man because it's the cheapest. That particular tree is Brittany Murch, (SEE CORRECTION) who also elicits a well deserved smile as the "brain" in Ralphie's class, Helen Weathers. Eva Jaskoviak projects a dazed daze tr.v. dazed, daz·ing, daz·es 1. To stun, as with a heavy blow or shock; stupefy. 2. To dazzle, as with strong light. n. A stunned or bewildered condition. sweetness as the girl with a crush on Ralphie, Esther Jane Alberry. Nate Scott (as Flick) and Connor McCaffrey (as Schwartz) amuse as Ralphie's best friends, especially when Flick gets his tongue stuck on a frozen flagpole on a "triple dog dare" from Ralphie. Alicia Cote isn't quite menacing enough, nor physically intimidating, to pull off the role of the schoolyard bully Scut Farcus, but she's the only questionable casting choice in a stellar show. `A Christmas Story' * * *-1/2 Adpated by Philip Grecian from Jean Shepherd's memoirs and the movie "A Christmas Story," directed by David Glanville. Presented by Barre Players at Barre Players Theater, 64 Common St., Barre. Performances at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $14 general admission, $12 seniors, $10 full-time students with ID, $7 children 12 and under. Call (978) 355-2096 or (800) 733-2096 for reservations, or visit www.barreplayers.homestead.com "A Christmas Story" will be presented in Barre this weekend. COPYRIGHT 2007 Worcester Telegram & Gazette
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