TIME TO SING AND TELL "A CHRISTMAS STORY"

Forget Ebenezer Scrooge and the Grinch.  Don't invite Clara and her Nutcracker friends.  Let Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer take a well deserved snooze.  Now it is time to concentrate all your efforts on one good little boy, well mostly good, named Ralphie Parker.  He has set his heart and his mind on only one present to make his Christmas holiday complete.  Ralph wants an official Red Ryder Carbine-Action-200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle, a BB gun if you will.  One that has his mother fearing he will shoot his eye out.

Come to Waterbury's Palace Theater for two performances on Friday, November 18 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, November 19 at 2 p.m. for that classic tale of childhood desires "A Christmas Story: The Musical" by Bert Pasek and Justin Paul for music and lyrics, based on that perennial favorite movie of 1983, with book by Joseph Robinette.

Ralphie is nine years old and a determined little son of a gun (pun intended).  He is willing to go to great lengths to ensure that he will find what he desires under the Christmas tree.  Clearly he doesn't want socks or an Erector set, a toy train or underwear.  His list to Santa is short and sweet and has only one item.  If he has to scheme and finagle getting it, he is up for the challenge.  With his glasses firmly lodged on his nose, he has his eye on the prize and his dad and his mom have to decide if the rewards are worth the risks.

Stuffed like a Christmas stocking with musical numbers and tap dancing routines like "It All Comes Down to Christmas," "Ralphie  to the Rescue," "Parker Family Singalong," "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out" and "A Christmas Story," this family show will be one big giant gift wrapped present for young and old alike.

Get the tinsel ready, look out for the infamous pink bunny pajamas (what kind of gift is that for a boy?), the quirky lamp that resembles a lady's leg and a dare that involves a frozen flagpole.  If you meet a Santa Claus who is cranky, you'll know you're in the right place.  Come cheer Ralph on in his quest for the best (or the worst) holiday ever.

For tickets ($45 and up), call the Palace Theater, 100 East Main Street, Waterbury at 203-346-2000 or online at www.palacetheaterct.org.

It's Indiana in 1940 and the Parker family has set a place for you at the kitchen table.  Plan to come for a feast of guaranteed holiday treats.  Don't for a moment try to resist the banquet coming your way.