‘A Christmas Story,’ the musical, opens in Sonoma

There’s nothing like a little Christmas cheer. While Sonoma lacks the soft sound of snowfall – Christmas lights, apple cider and, of course, holiday movies are abundant. And Sonoma Arts Live is bringing one of the most iconic Christmas movies to Andrews Hall this winter. Yes, their production of “A Christmas Story” debuts on Dec. 6, chock full of the warm fuzzy feeling of Christmas cheer.

“A Christmas Story” is a tale with a long legacy of adaptation. Originally based on Jean Shepherd’s 1966 novel, “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash,” it was made into a movie by director Bob Clark in 1983. The film quickly became the iconic marker of Christmas spirit it is known as today, securing preservation in the Library of Congress’s National Film registry on this merit. With a huge following of all ages, the story was ready for the stage – being adapted into a play in 2000 and a musical in 2012.

“The movie is such a well-loved part of people’s Christmases, and when I found out they made it a musical, I had to check it out,” said Jamie Love, Sonoma Arts Live artistic director.

Diehard fans of the film will be happy to know the story remains the same - a boy getting the gift of his dreams. Young Ralphie’s only desire is a Red Ryder BB Gun, despite the adults’ rebuttal that “you’ll shoot your eye out!” The story follows the twist and turns in pursuit of this immensely desirable gift, engulfing the audience in the nostalgia of what it means to be a kid during the holiday season in the 1950s.

No one is more qualified to direct this piece than Larry Williams. He’s done it all: read the original book, staged the play at Sixth Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, and grew up with the film as it became a favorite of his since first seeing it in the 1990s on the TV circuit. He is a big fan of what he describes as “a great story about family and character types that are really drawn out well. It’s something we can all relate to.”

The majority of the cast and crew are from Sonoma, including Kat Davis, making her return as music director. With the mainly local cast, Williams is making sure to capture the childlike wonder by including just that: children.

Tuolumne Bunter from Napa stars as Ralphie and is among the many cast members whose literal youthfulness reminds us what it’s like to be a kid on Christmas morning. Williams’s confidence in these fledgling actors is a testament to his directorial ability, but also is immensely sweet.

“They’re theater kids,” said Williams. “They’re not there because they’ve been dropped off. They’re gonna steal the show, they’re so cute.”

With adorable kids and cheerful music, Williams is excited to bring the iconic and uplifting story to the community.

“There have been struggles in this area with the fires and the blackouts that caused a lot of people pain, and you come to something like this you forget about that, and you walk out thinking it’s the season, thinking maybe I’ll call my sister or visit my mother,” said Williams.

And this show captures the true spirit of Christmas: the spirit of giving. Sonoma Arts Live has paired with the Sonoma Mentoring Alliance to create a Christmas tree in the lobby that audience members can pick an ornament with a gift idea written on it, that will be ultimately be given to a member of the Alliance. “(A Christmas Story) is about making wishes come true, so we thought we’d contact an agency that does the same thing,” said Love.

Love guarantees that “you’re gonna leave a little bit lighter and feeling nostalgic.” And with not only a soundtrack and cast that reminds us of the blissfulness of Christmas as a kid, but also a partnership that benefits the community, she might just be right.

“A Christmas Story” opens on Friday, Dec. 6 with a reception featuring pianist John Partridge. The show runs through Dec. 22, with matinées at 2 p.m. and evening shows at 7:30 p.m.