Photo by Ryan Loyd, Rylo Media Design
Between rushing home to family and shopping all month long, locals might want to take a moment to pause and welcome the warmth of the season with SLO REP’s production of A Christmas Story, running now through December 21.
Family, wishes, and little joys are what the holidays are about, and the cast and crew of Philip Grecian’s two-act play managed to pull me into the snowy streets of the Indiana neighborhood where one family’s story comes alive.
As I cozied up in my seat in SLO Rep’s intimate theatre, the closeness of the space and the surrounding set (designed by Dave Linfield) offered an instant sense of comfort.
A string of lights and Christmas decor frames the set, accompanied by Kevin Harris’ lighting design that dims naturally as the story shifts focus from scene to scene. The production’s technical details create an overall mood that perfectly places you in the show.
Abbott carries the authenticity of someone who knows this story and this character by heart.”
Ralph, the narrator, is played by Ben Abbott—no stranger to the show, having played the role at SLO REP several times in recent years. That shines through: from the moment he greets the audience, his delivery and movements remain fluid and assured throughout the play. It’s through his memories of his younger self, Ralphie, that we experience this Christmas story.
Look closely, and you’ll see how Abbott keeps each scene moving, effortlessly adapting to any hiccup along the way. Not that there were many on opening night, but instances like subtly moving Ralphie’s glasses during his younger self’s confrontation with a bully, or repeating a line to smooth over an interruption, were seamless details that did not go unnoticed. Abbott carries the authenticity of someone who knows this story and this character by heart.
Abbott is surrounded by a cast of kids who bring another level of enthusiasm to the show. Leo Ventura, who plays Ralphie, delivers his lines with emphasis, especially when it comes to what he wants (and what becomes the focus of the show): a Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and “a thing which tells time.” He doesn’t hold back. reminding us what it feels like to be a kid at Christmas, awaiting the thing we really really want, again.
Director Kevin Harris and the cast excel at slowing down the moments that truly matter, allowing the audience to fully feel the sentiment of the holiday season.”
Ralphie’s friends, Schwartz and Flick, played by Simone Alcorn and Maxine Castillo, are just as convincing in showing how ruthless school days as a kid can be. They both bring laughs to the audience and stay in character—through Flick getting his tongue stuck to a pole and Schwartz’s “triple dog” daring.
The interactions between all the kids—including Simone Spence, Aurora Lester-Cook and Liam Kirkwood McCarthy Zirion—as well as their teacher (played by Shannon Peters) make each scene feel high-energy and sweet.
What’s just as precious are the moments in Ralphie’s family. Amanda Thayer has a maternal essence to her in the portrayal of Ralphie’s mom. The way she carries herself on stage, grounding the shenanigans of sons Ralphie and Randy (Leo de Leon), allows us to find that heartwarming feeling of sometimes just needing your mom. Her expressions are always in tune with the unfolding plot, especially in her reactions to Ralphie’s father (aka the Old Man), and his frustrations.
Billy Breed, playing Ralphie’s father, is amusing, delivering his grumbling responses with perfect timing. The relationship between Ralphie’s parents comes to a warm, final scene of cozying up together on the couch. Director Kevin Harris and the cast excel at slowing down the moments that truly matter, allowing the audience to fully feel the sentiment of the holiday season.