A Christmas Story

I never get many chances to see the wonderful work at Georgia Shakespeare. Thus, I was delighted when a friend of mine offered to take me to see "A Christmas Story." For those familiar with the TV movie, this is an adaptation that is just as funny. It has everything: a narrator, a kid with glasses, a bully, a pole for sticking one's tongue on and a leg-lamp. Truly, where did they find that thing?
At any rate, an excellent directing job by Drew Fracher. The set design, amazing with the rotating stage, is a complement to Kat Conley. And it was a good idea, too: the living room, the class room and the slide. How were they gonna do Santa? It was a beautiful set-up. And the suspension of disbelief with the outdoors - we, the audience, didn't need to see a fence or see the outdoors - oh no - the lighting designer did all that for us. And without really messing up anything. Mad props to Mike Post for working on that for us.
I was most impressed with the kids in the show: Ralphie, Randy, Flick, Schawrtz, Ester Jane, Helen and Scut - usually when I see shows with kids in them, there's always a kid or two not focused or waving at his parents in the audience or just not really feelin' like being there. But this cast? Their parents did a great job! And props to the SM, Margo, for keeping things together. And notably, only starting 5 minutes after 7p.m. Well-done!
All in all, this is a show I'm so glad they'll re-mount next year. It's not sappy love and Christmasy, and that's what appealed to my Grinch-like friend who was with me. He laughed more than I did. And for GA Shakes to touch the lives of the Grinches and make them sit back and relax - well, that's what Christmas is all about.