December 4, 2023 – Theatre 7 will present “A Christmas Story- The Musical” in December at the Decatur Civic Center as part of Theatre 7’s 60th Anniversary season.
This family-friendly holiday movie-turned-musical will be December 9, 10, and 15-17 at the Decatur Civic Center. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $19 and are available for purchase HERE or at (217) 422-6161. Families are invited to come early before the show for free games and crafts starting an hour before the curtain opens.
The musical, which is based on the classic 1983 holiday movie, received rave reviews during its Broadway run. Set in the 1940s in Indiana, the musical follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker on his quest for the perfect Christmas gift — an Official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot Range Model air rifle. All the iconic moments from the movie are in the performance: Dad’s infamous and racy leg lamp, mother’s bar of soap, Flick getting his tongue stuck to the flagpole, Randy’s voluminous snowsuit, bullies, a disastrous Christmas dinner, and much more. The songs range from gentle ballads to full-ensemble numbers such as “A Major Award,” “Up on Santa’s Lap,” and the inevitable “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out!”
A Christmas Story- The Musical is directed for Theatre 7 by Kathy Zientara and Evan Miller. The show includes a cast of adult and child actors and a crew of musicians and artists who build and paint the set, design costumes, play in the orchestra and allow for a high-quality, entirely locally produced show.
“We knew this joyous celebration of the holiday season was the perfect show to bring to Central Illinois,” Miller says. “It’s a beautiful adaptation with both big laughs and tender moments that give our youth and adult cast members moments to shine.”
The show also launches Theatre 7’s 60th season and a fundraising campaign to ensure its future. The volunteer-run non-profit has a goal of raising $300,000 to repair its headquarters, located in the heart of downtown Decatur next to the Arts Council.
“We’ve been proud to bring high-quality community theatre productions to the Decatur area since 1964 and we hope to continue doing that for another 60 years,” says Zientara, who is also president of Theatre 7’s board of directors. “This show is an opportunity for us to highlight our work and impact on the community.”
Find more information about the fundraising or to donate, click HERE.
