Show about young boy’s hilarious holidays on stage at Morgan Hill Playhouse until Dec.  10

By Camille Bounds

Camille Bounds

There is “The Nutcracker,” “A Christmas Carol,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” as our traditional Christmas theatre toddies. You can well add “A Christmas Story” if you haven’t already.

This delightfully charming story was originally written as a 1983 film by Jean Shepherd and tenderly transferred to a stage play by Phillip Grecian. It brings a charming delight to children and warm nostalgic thoughts to adults.

The South Valley Civic Theatre’s solid, strong cast of a few seasoned adults and an abundance of well-directed talented children bring in “A Christmas Story” with joy and memories of a gentler time sometime in the thirties and forties.  (Your choice.)

The meticulous direction of Allie Bailey draws the best from the actors and produces a charming, amusing experience. There is a definite art to directing children and Bailey has the touch.

Jery Rosas is fantastic as the grown up Ralph Parker who dreams back to his childhood and obsessively dreams of finding an air rifle left by Santa under the Christmas tree. He carries the  narrative and is the glue that keeps the story together by stepping into just about every scene and keeping the wild plot as sane as it can get.

Matthew Horta as Ralphie Parker, the nine year old that obsesses over a Red Ryder 200 – Shot Carbine Action Air Rifle BB gun, carries his role with genuine confidence and creditability.

Keith Larson as “the Old Man,” Shawna Gonzales as Ralphie’s mom,  and Marilyn Pifer as “Ms. Shields” carry their roles in “A Christmas Story” with an almost believability and the giddiness of the times.

As usual the SVCT’s creative team brings in a show that is gorgeous to the eyes and ears. The play is produced by Ingrid Rottman and Michael Horta. Joseph Ramirez is the stage manager, Dana Scribner is the Lead Stage Deck Manager, Kimberly Lynch is costume designer, Mykal Philbin is lighting designer, Brian Bourke is sound designer, and Lori Foster is the props designer.

“A Christmas Story” is wholesome, pleasant and perhaps a little corny moment in time that should be seen and savored. Cynics might even get a little warm twinge in their heart and God knows a warm twinge might be just the thing we need in these uncertain times.

The performers in “A Christmas Story”

Matthew Horta  as “Ralphie Parker,” Jery Rosas as “Ralph Parker,” Tristan Duarte  as “Flick,” Clara Shem-Tov  as “Helen,” Marilyn Pifer as “Ms Shields,” Shawna Gonzales as “Mother,” Miriam Shem-Tov  as Schwartz,” Joey King  as “Farkus,” Keith Larson as “The Old Man,” Jase Puente as “Randy,” Xander Duarte as “Grover Dill,” Michael Grimm as “Santa Claus,”  Brodie Bourke, Cate Pace as “Elves/Ensemble,” and Kelly Kobata  as “Esther Jane.”