‘A Christmas Story, The Musical’ at Bass Hall reminds us of special times

One doesn’t have to be cinema buff to know what a Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model air rifle is, or to recognize the phrase “You’ll shoot your eye out.”

Odds are many of you just now immediately thought of “A Christmas Story” — a movie released in 1983 and still one of the best holiday films ever made. It even has an annual tradition of being aired for 24 straight hours on TBS and TNT starting on Christmas Eve.

And now, you can see the story of 9-year-old Ralphie Parker and his quest for that special Christmas present — and hear his mom utter that famous response — set to music. “A Christmas Story: The Musical” is at Bass Hall through Sunday, Dec. 7 as the holiday production of Performing Arts Fort Worth’s Broadway at the Bass.

Almost all the special elements we’ve come to love over the past four-plus decades are still in this version of the story. Only now, it features music from EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, better known as simply Pasek and Paul.

The duo joined the rare and elite group after winning an Oscar for “La La Land,” Emmys for “Sesame Street” and “Only Murders in the Building,” Grammys for “Dear Evan Hansen” and “The Greatest Showman” and Tonys for “Dear Evan Hansen” and “A Strange Loop” (as producers).

They were also nominated for a Tony for “A Christmas Story: The Musical.”

The story dates to the 1966 book by Jean Shepherd titled “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash.” He is also the narrator of the film and musical, now an adult working as a radio announcer, flashing back to a semi-fictionalized version of his own childhood.

Hence, the name Ralphie instead of his own.

The story takes the audience back to the 1940s when Shepherd (played by Mark Stoddard) was growing up in a small Indiana town. We always hear how life was simpler then, but perhaps not so much for a young boy with tunnel vision for one gift only.

Try as he might, Ralphie (Torben Mularski) is unsuccessful in convincing others he should have the air rifle. In response to a school assignment — a paper on what he wants for Christmas — his teacher (Kristin Greve) writes on it “You’ll shoot your eye out.” This leads to one of the show’s greatest highlights, a song named after that same phrase that features some impeccable tap dancing.

And when Ralphie makes his plea to Santa Claus, what does ol’ Saint Nick come back with? You guessed it, say it with me, “You’ll shoot your eye out.”

Ralphie’s mission anchors the story. However, just like the film, there is so much more that delights the audience.

One of the moments that has become immediately recognizable is when Ralphie’s father — known as “the old man” — (Gregory White) receives a telegram that he’s won a “major award” in a contest. When it arrives, it’s instantly understandable why Mrs. Parker does not want it placed in the living room window for the entire neighborhood to see (but he proudly puts it on display anyway), taking us into the hilarious number “A Major Award.”

And yes, the scene where Ralphie’s friend takes a “triple dog dare” to put his tongue on a cold flag pole to see if it will stick is in there, complete with the song “Sticky Situation.” Admit it — I will — in reflecting on our own childhood, what embarrassing situations were we fortunate enough to avoid because we were never issued such a dreaded dare?

The children in the show are simply wonderful, led by Mularski, a sixth-grader from Illinois making his professional debut. They are mischevious, full of wonder, and all the things that remind us of the magic of childhood - even with its many challenges. And they harmonize and dance in sync fantastically

Funny, we couldn’t wait to grow up and now there are times when we wish we could go back. We can vicariously through Ralphie.

Don’t think of the musical as a replacement for the movie, which earned its spot in the proverbial hall of fame for holiday films, along other greats such as “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Miracle on 34th Street.” However, the music adds a whole new level, balancing the fine line of not detracting from the loveable tale many of us have watched every holiday season for many years.

Now, go watch the movie again and see if you find yourself humming some songs from the musical at the same time.

This story was originally published December 6, 2025 at 6:43 AM.