When it comes to holiday nostalgia, it doesn’t get much bigger than “A Christmas Story,” Jean Shepherd’s winsome memoir about a boy and a Red Rider BB gun.
The story, set in the late 1940s, became a holiday classic when the baby boom generation fell in love with the 1983 movie, making it a holiday staple.
The New Everett Theatre presents the stage adaptation of “A Christmas Story,” opening tonight in performances that play four weekends at the historic Everett Theatre on Colby Avenue.
The play, like the movie, follows the exploits of 9-year-old Ralphie Parker, who has only one thing on Christmas list this year: a Red Ryder Carbine Action, 200 Shot, Range Model Air Rifle. But many obstacles stand in the way of his Christmas dream, including every adult who warns Ralphie that he will “shoot his eye out.”
“A Christmas Story” revisits an All-American Christmas past through the eyes of kid, and for the part of 9-year old Ralphie Parker, the Everett Theatre has cast a young actor who with a startling resemblance to Peter Billingsley, who starred in the 1983 movie.
“Jadon Hickenbottom is a dead ringer for the part,” artistic director Victoria Walker said.
The 8-year old, a third-grader at Mountain Way Elementary School in Granite Falls, plays soccer, is involved in Cub Scouts and is, according to his mother, “a bit of a ham.”
Edwin Stones plays the adult Ralph, and narrates the story. The Seattle actor’s extensive credits include extensive voice-over work, some upcoming movies and performances with many of Seattle’s leading theater companies. Cyndi Thomsen directs the show.
There’s more holiday cheer on the way when the Everett Theater hosts a visit from Santa Claus from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26. This is a “photo op” with Santa and the cost is $5; information, 425-258-6766.
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