Theater adapts holiday classic

Script stays true to film

By: KAYLA BECK

Posted: 12/5/08

In 1983, Jean Shepherd's film, "A Christmas Story," introduced the American home to Ralphie Parker, a leg lamp, a pink bunny suit and, of course, "You'll shoot your eye out." Starting tonight, the motion picture classic moves to the Elbert Theatre stage.

Staying true to the original film, the play will trace 9-year-old Ralphie Parker's efforts to obtain a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas.

The plot line of the play is "very, very similar and almost verbatim from the film" said theater manager Toni King. "If you saw the movie and you liked the movie, then you will definitely like the play."

"A CHRISTMAS STORY"

When: Tonight, Saturday, Dec. 12 and Dec. 13 at 8 p.m.; Saturday night dinners at 7 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Where: The Elbert Theatre
Price: $10 in advance, $12 at the door, $25 for Saturday night dinners
More Information: www.elberttheatre.org

Elberton's Morgan Clements, who is 13 years old, plays lovable young Ralphie Parker, while David Bennett, an Elbert County Middle School art teacher, provides the quick-witted narration of adult Ralphie.

The cast actually consists of more children than adults.

Bennett's wife, Tracy, who is a second grade teacher, plays the part of Mrs. Parker.

This is not the Bennett couple's first production with the Elbert Theatre.

"Both my wife and I have been involved in the theatre since it re-opened in 2001. 'A Christmas Story' has been one of our family's favorite Christmas movies for a long time. It's one of the classics that we sit down and watch every year," Bennett said.

Elbert Theatre first opened in 1940, coincidentally the year in which "A Christmas Story" takes place. The space was originally designed and used as a movie theater. At the time, it was considered the most contemporary and up-to-date theater in Northeast Georgia, with blooming technologies such as air conditioning, staggered seating and hearing aids.

Fire struck the theatre in the summer of 1950. However, local residents and volunteers rebuilt it by late November of the same year, in time for holiday season movie going.

From 1967 to 1997, the Elbert Theatre was used as a local teen center and was finally bought by the city of Elberton.

The Elbert Theatre Foundation was established to help with building and acquiring stage equipment.

It opened in 2001 as a playhouse for performing arts.

"The history that goes along with the theatre is something interesting and very drawing to the public," King said. The current building was restored to bring back the original look of the movie theater.

"A lot of people who come back are really amazed at the similarities and are grounded because they feel like it's the same theatre they were in before."

The play will run on the two following consecutive weekends. The Saturday shows will give guests the opportunity to have a pre-show dinner at 7 p.m. in the theatre's balcony.

Dinner tickets are available through reservation only.