• 
• SATURDAY May 18, 2013 F

Barter brings beloved 'Christmas Story' to the stage

Move over, "It's a Wonderful Life," and make way, "Miracle on 34th Street," for Barter Theatre's production of another Christmas classic -- the stage adaptation of Jean Shepherd's beloved film "A Christmas Story."

"'A Christmas Story' really has been one of the most anticipated shows in Barter Theatre's history," said Lori Hester, Barter's director of patron services. "Many people watch the movie every year, but they've never seen it like this -- live and on stage."

Now playing on Barter's main stage, the play closely mirrors the 1983 movie starring Peter Billingsley as Ralphie Parker. All Ralphie wants for Christmas is a genuine Red Ryder BB Gun, but his wish is always met with the same refrain: "You'll shoot your eye out!"

Audiences will find all their favorite scenes from the film -- including the school bully, Scut Farkas; the "pink nightmare" bunny pajamas; the tongue on the flagpole triple-dog-dare; Ralphie's highly anticipated Little Orphan Annie decoder pin; and the "Old Man's" iconic leg lamp -- all narrated by a grown-up Ralphie remembering what it felt like being a kid and wanting that extra-special Christmas gift: "a carbon action, 500 shot Red Ryder air rifle with a compass and this thing which tells time built right on the stock."

The show's set, designed by Derek Smith, is reminiscent of a huge erector set.

"I wanted it to be a playground," said Smith, Barter's resident set designer. "This is a Christmas memory palace. There are all the things needed, like the steps that Ralphie stands at the top of in his bunny suit, the slide the kids go down after seeing Santa, the kitchen table where the family eats, the classroom; all that is there, but since it is a memory, I didn't want to go literal with the design."

It's an approach shared by Katy Brown, the show's director.

"In theatre, you can go very far with representing what some felt like," she said. "Shepherd puts the lens of childhood back over our eyes so we can experience what things really felt like when we were little. Our point is to capture the feel and emotion as opposed to the journalistic approach."

Nicholas Piper stars as the adult Ralph, who narrates the story and also participates in Ralphie's day dreams. Justin Tyler Lewis portrays young Ralphie. Erin Parker is the little brother, Randy, while Michael Poisson and Wendy Piper play the parents. The cast of "A Christmas Story" also includes Ashley Campos, Abbey C. Ellliot, Hannah Ingram, Barrett Guyton, Micah Hein and Sam McCalla.

"A Christmas Story" runs through Dec. 30.

Tickets start at $33.

For reservations or more information, call Barter's box office at (276) 628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com.

Street Talk - What's happening now

• stararif46 comment on Do You Want to Visit Beautiful Bagan, Myanmar? - 2 days ago

  Do You Want to Visit Beautiful Bagan, Myanmar? Bagan, located in the central region of Myanmar, is home to the largest number of Buddhist temples, stupas, ruins and pagodas in the world. There are many reasons that the city makes a lasting impression on visitors, including the buildings which look romantic after the process of aging, the spire-fringed skyline, exotic cotton trees and horse drawn carriages that lazily carry tourists through the city. The city of Bagan offers a large number of temples for tourists to visit. Some of the most popular ones that are recommended by most tourists, tour guides and tourist maps, although large in number, still don't cover even half of the large collection. Bagan is a city that can be visited any time of the year because of its pleasant weather and no particular rainy season. It is a city that most would not want to miss with beautiful sunsets; beautiful local art including bamboo works and lacquer work and day trips to places like Mount Popa where tourists can visit a monastery that is built on top of a mountain.
  
  Some of them include Ananda Temple, which was built by Kyan-zit-tha, the third king and is considered the holiest temple in the city, Shwesandaw Temple, also known as the sunset temple as tourists especially gather during the evening to watch a spectacular sunset, Shwe Zigon Temple, which is a prototype monument built in the style of Myanmar, Thatbyinnyu Temple, which is the tallest pagoda that was built in the twelfth century, Shwegugyi Temple, a temple that has survived over the ages and stayed the most intact on the site, Manuhar Pagoda, a temple with a story about a king who poured all his emotions into the construction of the temple and Gawdaw Palin Temple, which is constructed by fusing the styles of Myanmarese and Indian. Tourists who still have the energy after visiting the various temples, pagodas and stupas in Bagan can also visit Bagan Archeological Museum, which may be ugly in appearance because of the mixture of the new and old architectural styles, but houses a large number of portable finds from the temples.

• stararif46 comment on Do you want AEM Gauges? - 3 days ago

  Do you want AEM Gauges? Do you want AEM Gauges? The AEM cold air intake systems were specifically designed to give your vehicle the extra boost in power and performance you've been looking for. At Autoplicity.com we offer a wide range of AEM intakes and AEM air filters so you can find exactly what you need for your vehicle.
  
  These high quality air intake systems deliver a blast of cold, clean air into the engine to aid the combustion process, immediately increasing horsepower, torque, and throttle response. These performance modifiers are comparatively easy to install and will make a huge difference in your driving experience. A high performance machine requires high performance auto parts, and we have everything you need to customize or repair your vehicle, from AEM Gauges and intakes to suspensions and brakes. Take a look at our selection and order your aftermarket auto body parts today.

• madcat_1 comment on Stone Wall at 11E Sports Bar - 3 weeks ago

  Come hang out with stone wall at the 11E sports bar in Mosheim, TN 5-3-13 from 8 to midnight.
  
  http://tricities.craigslist.org/muc/3757423018.html

• stararif46 comment on DreamTime Convertible Companion Wonder Pillow - 3 weeks ago

  Life is a journey, and wherever your journey takes you, you deserve to be comfortable. Life is a journey, and wherever your journey takes you, you deserve to be comfortable. DreamTime's Convertible Companion Wonder Pillow is your ideal personal travel companion for both on-the-road and at-home comfort and relaxation. It features a patented, two-way design that ensures tranquil time-outs anytime, anywhere. Your Wonder Pillow converts from a neck-cradling crescent to a restful rectangle with ease – just unzip, rearrange the fill, re-zip, and your off to a relaxing and comfortable journey. Remove cover and machine wash in cold water on delicate cycle. Tumble dry on low and remove promptly. Do not allow hull-filled insert pillow to get wet.
  
  Filled with natural, hypo allergenic buckwheat hull, DreamTime's Wonder Pillow provides adjustable support to your head and neck, allowing the muscles to relax and release stress and tension. The Wonder Pillow soothes sore, achy neck muscles while sleeping, resting or reading. Buckwheat hull doesn't compress, so your neck never gets strained, and buckwheat hulls natural properties allow air to circulate, so your pillow will stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Pillow's inner zipper provides easy access to the fill. If a less firm pillow is desired, fill can be removed and adjusted to achieve optimal comfort. You may seal and store excess buckwheat in a freezer for later use.
  Size: 13" X 10" X 3" (square configuration)'s Convertible Companion Wonder Pillow is your ideal personal travel companion for both on-the-road and at-home comfort and relaxation. It features a patented, two-way design that ensures tranquil time-outs anytime, anywhere. Your Wonder Pillow converts from a neck-cradling crescent to a restful rectangle with ease – just unzip, rearrange the fill, re-zip, and your off to a relaxing and comfortable journey. Remove cover and machine wash in cold water on delicate cycle. Tumble dry on low and remove promptly. Do not allow hull-filled insert pillow to get wet.
  
  Filled with natural, hypo allergenic buckwheat hull, DreamTime's Wonder Pillow provides adjustable support to your head and neck, allowing the muscles to relax and release stress and tension. The Wonder Pillow soothes sore, achy neck muscles while sleeping, resting or reading. Buckwheat hull doesn't compress, so your neck never gets strained, and buckwheat hulls natural properties allow air to circulate, so your pillow will stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Pillow's inner zipper provides easy access to the fill. If a less firm pillow is desired, fill can be removed and adjusted to achieve optimal comfort. You may seal and store excess buckwheat in a freezer for later use.
  Size: 13" X 10" X 3" (square configuration)

• larina comment on Affordable Kitchens For Sale Leeds - 4 weeks ago

  Affordable Kitchens For Sale Leeds. www.solidwoodkitchen.co.uk Full Affordable Kitchens For Sale Leeds £595. TEL - 01616-694785. Includes Appliances. Affordable Kitchens For Sale Leeds
  
  Affordable Kitchens For Sale Leeds

• madcat_1 comment on Stone Wall at 11E Sports Bar - 4 weeks ago

  Stone Wall Will be performing at the 11E Sports Bar in Mosheim,Tn May 3rd from 8 - 12. Come on down and we will dance the night away
  
  http://tricities.craigslist.org/muc/3757423018.html

Welcome New Friends

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•