Coming Up at The Bushnell: A Christmas Story, Jerry Seinfeld, Mannheim Steamroller

Dan Lauria in A Christmas Story. Photo: Carol Rosegg

This holiday season, one of America’s most beloved Christmas movies comes to life as a hilarious holiday musical, making its Connecticut premiere at Mortensen Hall at The Bushnell tomorrow, Nov. 12.

A Christmas Story, the musical, features a bright holiday score by composer/lyricist team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a book by Joseph Robinette based on the writings of radio humorist Jean Shepherd and the 1983 holiday film favorite. Tony Award-winning director John Rando helms the production, joined by acclaimed choreographer Warren Carlyle and dance arranger Glen Kelly.

A Christmas Story runs at The Bushnell through Nov. 17. Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 pm; Friday at 8 pm; Saturday at 2 and 8 pm; Sunday at 1 and 6 pm. Tickets start at $29: www.bushnell.org; 860-987-5900; box office, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford. 

The show chronicles young and bespectacled Ralphie Parker as he schemes his way towards the holiday gift of his dreams: a Red Ryder Action Air Rifle BB Gun (“You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!”). A kooky leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa, and a double-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the distractions that stand between young Ralphie and his Christmas wish. Produced by the film’s original Ralphie, Peter Billingsley, it’s a perennial holiday classic that will entertain the whole family.

The 30-member cast  is lead by theatre and television star Dan Lauria as Jean Shepherd and Broadway veterans John Bolton as The Old Man and Erin Dilly as Mother. Jake Lucas plays Ralphie and Noah Baird is little brother Randy; Eli Tokash plays Ralphie at certain performances. In addition, New York and West End favorite Caroline O’Connor plays school teacher Miss Shields. 

 The ensemble includes Charlie Babo, Gabriella Baldacchino, Hannah Isabel Bautista, Charissa Bertels, Tanya Birl, Beada Briglia, Judae’a Brown, Michael Crispi, Andrew Cristi, Mathew deGuzman, Thay Floyd, Nick Gaswirth, Lizzie Klemperer, Jose Luaces, Mara Newbery, Alexa Niziak, Lindsay O’Neil, David Scott Purdy, Keven Quillon, Lucas Schultz, Mitchell Sink, Luke Spring, Jenny Lee Stern, and Nicky Torchia. 

The creatives: scenic design by Walt Spangler, costume design by Elizabeth Hope Clancy, lighting design by Tony Award-winner Howell Binkley, sound design by Ken Travis, orchestrations by 2011 Tony nominee Larry Blank, and musical supervision by Ian Eisendrath.

Jerry Seinfeld. Photo courtesy of The Bushnell

America’s premier comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, will be performing his signature stand-up routine at Mortensen Hall at The Bushnell Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014 at 7 pm. Seinfeld has been hailed for his uncanny ability to joke about the little things in life that relate to audiences everywhere. He now sets his sights on performing both nationally and internationally in 2014.

Tickets: www.bushnell.org; 860-987-5900; box office, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford.

Mannheim Steamroller  will perform live in Mortensen Hall at The Bushnell on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 6:30 pm.

Grammy Award winner Chip Davis has created a show that features the beloved Christmas music of Mannheim Steamroller along with dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting. The spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller. Davis will direct and co-produce the performances with MagicSpace Entertainment.

Mannheim Steamroller is the #1-selling Christmas artist of all time. With more than 40 million total records sold, 28 million have been Mannheim Steamroller Christmas albums. The group’s annual Christmas tour has consistently ranked among top national tours. More info: www.mannheimsteamroller.com.

Tickets: www.bushnell.org; 860-987-5900; box office, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford.