New York City will be alive with Christmas spirit this holiday season. Joining the hype of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular this year will be two more Christmas classics, “A Christmas Story” and “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”
The “Christmas Story” musical is making its Broadway debut with a limited engagement from November 5 to December 30 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. The show is coming off a very successful national tour last year, having played in a variety of cities such as Hershey, PA; Detroit, MI; Raleigh, NC; Tampa, FL; and Chicago, IL. Based on the 1983 film, it tells the story of 9-year-old Ralphie Parker’s “desperate attempt to land an air rifle as a Christmas gift, despite warnings that he’ll shoot his eye out,” according to the Associated Press on boston.com. The film was based on the book by Jean Shepherd.
The musical features music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. This limited engagement is a Broadway debut for Pasek and Paul, and the show will be directed by Tony Award-winner John Rando. Peter Billingsley, who starred as Ralphie in the film, is one of the show’s producers. The score for this holiday musical includes songs like, “Red Ryder,” “Ralphie to the Rescue,” “A Major Award,” and “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out.” Producers are extremely happy to be bringing their show to the Great White Way. “Broadway has been the goal. When you have a seasonal show there’s only so many theatres available to you,” Roy Miller, one of the show’s producers told Playbill.com. “So, for us, Christmas came early this year.”
A Broadway World article shared reviews of the show, and “Christmas Story” received undeniably positive results. The Chicago Sun Times described the musical as “an enchanting holiday gem…an altogether beguiling…luminous musical comedy.” The cast and the rest of the production team have yet to be announced.
Another Christmas favorite will be playing in New York this winter. Also for a limited engagement, the beloved “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” will open at Madison Square Garden in December. This production, directed by Matt August, is part of a tour that will also play in Hartford, CT; Richmond, VA; and Chicago, IL.
“Grinch” made its debut in Los Angeles in 2009 after playing on Broadway in 2006 and 2007. In an article from Broadwayworld.com, “Grinch” was praised by the New York Times as “100 times better than any bedside story.” With a book and lyrics by Timothy Mason, music by Mel Marvin, and additional music and lyrics by Albert Hague and Dr. Seuss, the show promises to be a holiday success. The musical will feature choreography by Bob Richard, based on the original choreography by John DeLuca. The cast for this production has also not been announced.
While tickets for “A Christmas Story” are not available yet, “Grinch” tickets will be open to the public on Monday, August 13.
