Theatre Kent is continuing its tradition of providing a family Christmas show with this year’s production of A Christmas Story, based on the popular film of the same name.  The show takes place at the Chatham Cultural Centre’s Kiwanis Theatre on December 11 and 12, at 7 p.m. both evenings and also at 1 p.m. on the Saturday.

The story revolves around Ralphie Parker, whose only Christmas wish is to receive a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Unfortunately, everybody, including Santa himself, keeps telling the young boy the same thing: “You’ll shoot your eye out!”  Based on the memoirs of humorist Jean Shepherd, A Christmas Story is a heartwarming and at times hilarious look at life in the 1940s.

Ten-year-old Jessy Green is appearing as Ralphie, while Jack Gillis plays his younger brother Randy. Mark Stacey is portraying their father, while Whitney Burk takes on the role of their mother.  Bill Tye has the role of the grown up Ralph, who is also the narrator of the tale. Beck Morton and Bryden Larkin play Ralph’s best friends and Seth Cowley has the role of bully Scut Farkas. Jenna Scott plays Esther-Jane, who has a huge crush on Ralphie, while Rhea Vanhelden is her friend Helen.

Director Karen Robinet says Theatre Kent is pleased to be able to offer a Christmas show outside of its regular subscription series and that for the first time, the show is a co-production with the Kiwanis Theatre.  All tickets for the production are only $10 in an effort to keep the show affordable for anyone who wishes to see it.

Robinet says the cast and crew of A Christmas Story have thrown themselves into the production and she says it’s an outing the whole family can enjoy.

Other actors in the show are Janet Marlatt, Stew Morton, Jason Moninger and Linda Schinkel. A children’s choir includes Sydney Eldridge, Mackenzie Eldridge, Avery Eldridge, Austin Lavoie, Nasha McLay, Clare Gillis, Hunter Cowley and Larissa Schinkel.

Tickets for A Christmas Story are available at the Chatham Cultural Centre box office by calling 519-354-8338 and online at www.cktickets.com. For a sneak peek at the show, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=swg9Ev6QctU.