A Christmas Story, The Musical

Set in the 1940s in the fictional town of Hohman, IN, the musical follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker and his quest for the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts: an Official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot Range Model air rifle. Rebuffed at every turn with a similar echoing response, Ralphie plots numerous schemes to achieve his desperate desire for the coveted BB gun. All the iconic scenes from the movie are here: Ralphie’s friend, Flick, getting his tongue stuck to the flagpole; his brother, Randy, getting dressed in his snowsuit; the bullies, Farkus and Dill; the leg lamp award; the bunny suit; the Chinese restaurant; Christmas dinner; and many others.

Note: A strobe light is used in this performance.

Come early and enjoy the sounds of the season in the West Lobby from these local artists. Performances begin 20-30 minutes prior to curtain times listed below.
Dec. 6, 7:00 PM performance: Trastevere Winds
Dec. 7, 1:00 PM performance: Urbandale Community Swing Band
Dec. 7, 5:00 PM performance: Fermata the Blue
Dec. 8, 1:00 PM performance: The Christmas Belles Handbell Quartet
Dec. 8, 5:00 PM performance: Nathan Thiessen
Thursday, Dec. 12, 7:00 PM performance: WFAE Singers from the DMCPH
Friday, Dec. 13, 7:00 PM performance: Pella Madrigals
Saturday, Dec. 14, 5:00 PM performance: Corbett Reeves
Sunday, Dec. 15, 1:00 PM performance: Harp Choir
Sunday, Dec. 15, 5:00 PM performance: Molto Voce
Thursday, Dec. 19, 7:00 PM performance: Stefanie Harper & Jason Kessler
Friday, Dec. 20, 7:00 PM performance: GottaZING!
Saturday, Dec. 21, 1:00 PM performance: Michael Howland & Sierra Howland
Saturday, Dec. 21, 5:00 PM performance: Heather Tragesser, Christine Yoder, Ember Tragesser, & Katherine Yoder
Sunday, Dec. 22, 1:00 PM performance: Jenny Throckmorton
Sunday, Dec. 22, 5:00 PM performance: John & Anne Claes
Monday, Dec. 23, 5:00 PM performance: Bailey Dorr & Bobbi Jo Dorr

Performance Times:
7:00 PM Thursdays & Fridays; 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM Saturdays & Sundays; 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM Monday, Dec. 23
School Matinees:
9:30 AM, Dec. 16-17, 2019
Run Time:
2 hours 15 minutes including a 15-minute intermission.
Content Advisory:
Playhouse family theatre productions are intended for ages 5 and up. The Playhouse does not rate subject matter as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have questions about content, age-appropriateness, or other aspects of the show (ie strobe lights and other theatrical effects), please contact the ticket office at 515.277.6261.
Download Playbill

Company

  • Alexander Baker

    Grover/ Dill

    Alexander Baker
  • Adam Beilgard

    Jean Shepherd

    Adam Beilgard
  • Shea Beilgard

    Randy

    Shea Beilgard
  • Gabriel Ray Carnes

    Ensemble

    Gabriel Ray Carnes
  • Levi Cooper

    Ensemble

    Levi Cooper
  • Madeline Davis

    Ensemble

    Madeline Davis
  • Mya Fisher

    Ensemble

    Mya Fisher
  • Chelsea Flynn

    Flick's Mother

    Chelsea Flynn
  • Addyson Hall

    Other Kid (Waitress)

    Addyson Hall
  • Ryan Henzi

    Ralphie

    Ryan Henzi
  • Will C. Johnson

    Bumpus Hounds

    Will C. Johnson
  • Greg Kephart

    Fantasy Villain/ Delivery Man/ Ensemble

    Greg Kephart
  • Davin Lyman

    Flick

    Davin Lyman
  • Grace McGill

    Ensemble

    Grace McGill
  • Joy Mielke

    Bumpus Hounds

    Joy Mielke
  • Greg Millar

    Santa

    Greg Millar
  • Isabella Nielsen

    Ensemble

    Isabella Nielsen
  • Sam Nigg

    Farkus

    Sam Nigg
  • Carly Penick

    Ensemble

    Carly Penick
  • Jackie Schmillen

    Mother

    Jackie Schmillen
  • Stephanie Schneider

    Miss Shields

    Stephanie Schneider
  • Dilana Sears

    Other Kid (Nancy)

    Dilana Sears
  • Brett Spahr

    The Old Man

    Brett Spahr
  • Lily Spahr

    Mary Beth/ Can Can Girl/ Ensemble

    Lily Spahr
  • Lexi Thiessen

    Ensemble

    Lexi Thiessen
  • Natalie Thomas

    Ensemble

    Natalie Thomas
  • Maddox Wajda

    Schwartz

    Maddox Wajda
  • Ashlyn Yu

    Esther Jane/ Ensemble

    Ashlyn Yu
  • Maxwell Schaeffer

    Director

    Maxwell Schaeffer
  • Brenton Brown

    Music Director

    Brenton Brown
  • Megan Helmers

    Choreographer

    Megan Helmers
  • Nicholas Amundson

    Scenic Designer

    Nicholas Amundson
  • Angela Lampe

    Costume Designer

    Angela Lampe
  • Jim Trenberth

    Lighting Designer

    Jim Trenberth
  • Jason Crowley

    Stage Manager

    Jason Crowley
  • Peter Dean

    Assistant Director

    Peter Dean
  • Sara Kottra

    Assistant Music Director

    Sara Kottra
  • Pilar Burg

    Assistant Stage Manager

    Pilar Burg

Press Release

Des Moines Community Playhouse Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kill Date: December 23, 2019 Subject: The Playhouse Presents the Family Holiday Classic A Christmas Story, the Musical Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing & Public Relations Director, 515.974.5358, Lbakros@dmplayhouse.om The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents the family holiday classic, A Christmas Story, The Musical, Dec. 6-23, 2019. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, or at the Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St. A Christmas Story, The Musical is sponsored by Corteva Agriscience. Set in the 1940s in Hohman, IN, the musical follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker and his quest for the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts: an Official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot Range Model air rifle. Rebuffed at every turn with a similar echoing response (“You’ll shoot your eye out!”), Ralphie plots numerous schemes to achieve his desperate desire for the coveted BB gun. All the iconic scenes from the movie are here: Ralphie's friend, Flick, getting his tongue stuck to the flagpole; his brother, Randy, getting dressed in his snowsuit; the bullies, Farkus and Dill; the leg lamp award; the bunny suit; the Bumpus hounds; and many others. We triple dog dare you to see this show! The Playhouse cast includes Alexander Baker, Adam Beilgard, Shea Beilgard, Gabriel Ray Carnes, Levi Cooper, Madeline Davis, Mya Fisher, Chelsea Flynn, Addyson Hall, Ryan Henzi, Will C. Johnson, Greg Kephart, Davin Lyman, Grace McGill, Joy Mielke, Greg Millar, Isabella Nielsen, Sam Nigg, Carly Penick, Jackie Schmillen, Stephanie Schneider, Dilana Sears, Brett Spahr, Lily Spahr, Lexus Thiessen, Natalie Thomas, Maddox Wajda, and Ashlyn Yu. A Christmas Story, The Musical is directed by Maxwell Schaeffer with music direction by Brenton Brown and choreography by Megan Helmers. The Playhouse, now in its 101st season, is one of the oldest and largest community theatres in the US. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage. For more information about the Playhouse and A Christmas Story, The Musical, contact the Playhouse ticket office at 515-277-6261. A Christmas Story, The Musical Performances: December 6-23, 2019 7:00 PM Thursdays & Fridays 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM Saturdays & Sundays 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM Monday, Dec. 23 A Christmas Story, The Musical Tickets Ticket prices start at $29 To purchase tickets: dmplayhouse.com 515-277-6261 Des Moines Community Playhouse Ticket Office, 831 42nd St., Des Moines, IA 50312 ###

Show Credits

Book by Joseph Robinette
Music and Lyrics by Banj Pasek & Justin Paul
Based on the motion picture A Christmas Story distributed by Warner Bros., written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark, and upon In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash written by Jean Shepherd.
Produced by special arrangement with Dramatic Publishing, Woodstock, IL.

Sponsored by

  • Corteva Agriscience