December 2009

Dear Subscriber:

Welcome to the holidays at The Rep!

We are ushering in the season with Philip Grecian’s A Christmas Story, a play that is as joyous and heartwarming as it is hilarious. I confess that until last year I hadn’t known this play, and there may be a few of you who haven’t seen the film. Just as It’s A Wonderful Life announces the holiday time for many people, A Christmas Story has become the same kind of marker for many others. The story of little Ralphie and his adventures is full of the wistful wonder of the holidays. It can easily remind you of life with your family at this festive season—both in years past and today.

The wonderful quirks of Ralphie’s parents, brother and friends reflect a time before computers and instant communications. There’s a pleasant nostalgia for past innocence which can make us look back fondly at a simpler time just a few decades ago. Part of the fun is remembering visiting Santa Claus, buying the turkey or trimming the tree. Life moved at a slower pace, and an impressionable young boy could capture the idiosyncrasies in the world around him. And just like the season in which it is set, this play’s humor is genuine and warm. It happens without the irony on which a lot of modern humor seems to rely.

Plus, this being the theatre, we are treated to marvelous moments of fantasy and stage magic that enliven Ralphie’s stories. Characters take on personas that illustrate a world of dreams and desires familiar to us all. Do kids today still enjoy the fantasies we see in this show? These were times when you could spend a whole afternoon entertaining yourself with a paper towel roll. Does that happen anymore? I don’t know if it’s better or worse now, but the imagination was certainly a powerful force when your greatest technology was a radio.

Based on the 1983 film that takes you back to these days gone by, this story will certainly fill you with the true spirit of the season. If you are a fan of the movie, you’ll be happy to see all your favorite moments intact, from the temperamental exploding furnace to the Old Man’s major award to the Little Orphan Annie decoder pin. You will also notice some new and equally zany scenarios which Grecian pulled from the life and writings of the man who was the true Ralphie, American humorist, broadcaster and raconteur, Jean Shepherd.

After a job history that included a stint as a mail carrier, work in a steel mill and time in the Army Signal Corps, Jean Shepherd (“Shep” to his many fans) found a home on the air waves. Starting at Cincinnati’s WCKY radio in 1948, Shep got himself into trouble when radio management quickly realized their new DJ would rather spin tales than albums. He bounced from station to station until he landed at New York’s WOR in the 1950s, the place which was to become his home for the next 22 years. On his nightly radio show, Shep delighted legions of fans with wacky tales of his childhood misadventures in Hammond, Indiana, as well as stories of simple, everyday Americana. In his book Excelsior, You Fathead!, Eugene B. Bergmann remembers that Shep’s acute observations on life were “much like looking at a drop of pond water in a microscope and finding it teeming with life—fascinating to observe because of the shape and movement revealed, some specks of which might keep you well or make you awfully sick.” Indeed, though his musings often came around to a humorous conclusion, they would just as often leave listeners with a bittersweet reminder that life’s good times are many, but bad times are inevitable as well.

It was these very reminders, these small but poignant anecdotes to which each and every person could relate, that Shep used to touch his listeners. Rather than talk over their heads or preach his views, Shep used his time on the air to reach out and grab hold of the real-life moments, the familiar and even the mundane times which maybe did have some extra-special significance after all. As he said: “We don’t recognize our own rituals—the two-week vacation, the graduation, the Sunday-afternoon dinner.” And when he spun tales of his rituals, listeners could see their own in the example, conjuring images and feelings which target the very heart of American life because, in Shep’s view, as different as we all are, we have an awful lot in common too. Certainly, we all have holiday traditions, whether they revolve around a favorite film or a book, an annual outing, a festive meal, cherished music, or family gathering that reminds us to hold our loved ones close. So whether you celebrate like Ralphie or not, you’re sure to see bits of your own family on stage this month.

Joining us to direct the holiday hoopla is St. Louis native and Webster University grad John McCluggage. Our design team is led by a crew of Rep favorites: Robert Mark Morgan (Saint Joan, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Ordinary Nation) returns to create the scene while Dorothy Marshall Englis (Amadeus, Saint Joan and Kiss Me, Kate among many others) provides the perfect clothing for a winter classic. Rep resident sound designer Rusty Wandall is back on the Mainstage after a beautiful design on Amadeus and newcomer Lap Chi Chu lights the way. We have both new and familiar faces onstage with Jeff Talbott (Frost/Nixon, Twelve Angry Men) returning as our adult Ralph and Susie Wall (Ten Little Indians) as Miss Shields. They are joined by Jeff Gurner and Marnye Young as parents to our Ralphie, who is played by Jonathan Savage. Completing the Christmas craziness is a group of wonderfully talented youngsters including Taylor Edlin, Jarrett Harkless (The Miracle Worker), Sarah Koo, Drew Redington, Julia Schweizer and Caden Self.

For the little ones, we’re welcoming our Imaginary Theatre Company home to The Rep Mainstage for three special days of their Kevin Kline Award-winning Christmas show, Bah! Humbug! A fun and funny twist on the classic, this musical romp brings Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol to all ages with a zany update. Bob Cratchit works inside the ATM while three spirits take Scrooge on a journey through the past, present and future, hoping to teach old Ebenezer the joy of kindness and giving. Bruce Longworth returns to direct this production for our very talented company including Ann Ashby, Lakeetha Blakeney, Chauncy Thomas and Amanda Williford. Join us December 19, 22 or 23, and come early for crafts, face painting and goodies presented by our Backers Volunteer Board.

Two delightful twists on holiday classics are sure to fill you and your loved ones with warmth and cheer. We wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.

See you at the theatre,

Steven Woolf
Artistic Director

P.S. Help us spread holiday cheer this season by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to contribute to our Toys for Tots drive. Drop off a toy any time through December 18 and receive a coupon good for $5 toward your next Rep purchase and a chance to win one of several prize packs.

We know many of our subscribers have guests coming in for the holidays and we have two important opportunities to share. First, family and friends can experience authentic hospitality and enjoy special Rep discounted rates at the newly renovated Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch. To make reservations at the discounted rate, call (800) 233-1234 and ask for “The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis rate.” Also, there will be special events happening in Webster Groves throughout the month of December. The weekend of December 12–13 has been designated as A Christmas Story Weekend with a scavenger hunt and more. Visit www.websterwonderland.com for updates on the festive Webster Wonderland schedule.

It’s not too early to start thinking about getting tickets to our second Studio Theatre production, [title of show] (Yes, that is correct, not a typo—when you see the show, it becomes clear that this is the actual title of the show). It’s a clever, often funny, sometimes moving, always sharp look at a quartet of actors attempting to write their first musical. I think you’ll really enjoy getting to know these characters and their facile minds. This Tony Award-nominated musical, written by Webster University grad Hunter Bell, attracted quite a following during its New York run. We are proud to be the first regional theatre to produce this show. It opens January 15 and does include some strong language, cleverly used.