The beloved holiday tradition of “A Christmas Story” returns to the Cleveland Play House for a second year, running from Nov. 30 to Dec. 21. Families from across Northeast Ohio are gathering to revisit Ralphie’s Christmas adventures. Set against the magic of a classic Midwest Christmas, this cozy story kicks off the season and transports the audience back to the early 1940s.

Lakewood Community Takes the Stage

The Cleveland Play House production of “A Christmas Story” features two talented young actors who are members of the Lakewood community and students at Lakewood Catholic Academy: Louis Guzowski and Declan Robertson.

Guzowski, who plays Flick, captures the character’s daring, adventurous and loyal personality. His goofy delivery and positive spirit bring a real sense of fun to the production.

Guzowski said, “I feel sometimes nervous, but I just know that if I have people smiling, and I get people to laugh, I love it, and I can do it.” His enthusiasm is evident, as the current production marks his fifth play, with many more roles surely to follow.

Robertson took on the role of Scut Farkus, the mean-spirited bully, and tackled the role with ease, despite having to portray a character with a personality opposite to his own.

Robertson has acted in 16 plays at theaters all over the area. However, the atmosphere created at the Cleveland Play House has been something truly special. “They’re all really nice. It’s all a great community,” Robertson said.

The supportive environment is what keeps these young actors coming back. Knowing they have a welcoming group to return to makes rehearsals easier and helps them to genuinely look forward to the experience. “I plan on being in a lot more shows … I love being in shows. It’s just amazing,” Guzowski said. The passion these actors have for what they do shows in their performances on stage, and the audience can clearly see it.

The Production and Set

The set features all of the iconic moments from the movie: the leg lamp that “The Old Man” wins as a major award, the Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model air rifle that Ralphie desperately wants for Christmas, and the “triple-dog dare” that leads to Flick getting his tongue stuck to a frozen flagpole. These scenes play out against a beautiful, wintery backdrop, which perfectly sets the mood for the play and captivates the audience.

A Cleveland Staple

The play runs approximately two hours, with an hour-long first act, a 15-minute intermission and about 45 minutes for the second act. During this time, the audience is taken day by day on a journey through Ralphie Parker’s life around the holidays. Though set in Indiana, the movie was famously filmed in Cleveland in 1983, making the story a Christmas tradition in the area.

Associate Director Sam Morales said, “It’s part of Cleveland’s history, and it’s a story that continues to remind us what is most important during this time of year.” The personal ties to the city keep the story alive, and the lovable tale has families putting up leg lamps and visiting the house where the movie was filmed year after year.

A Historic Venue for a Holiday Classic

Playhouse Square, situated in downtown Cleveland, is a major performing arts district. Comprising 12 performance theaters housed in historic buildings built between 1921 and 1922, it continues to host productions and bring the community together.

The Allen Theatre is filled with lights and adorned with Christmas decorations, creating a festive atmosphere for the production. Margaret Lynch, an audience member, said, “I like to come to Playhouse Square, but don’t remember ever being in the Allen theatre.” Lynch described the venue as an intimate setting for seeing a play and expressed her enjoyment of the show.

Visitors walk in and immediately enjoy the welcoming atmosphere, from the festive Christmas lights and trees throughout the lobby to the staff, who greet guests with smiles in their bright red coats.

Loretta Hall, at age 95, is the oldest usher at Playhouse Square. She has worked with the Playhouse since she was a teenager. “I like the people, especially when the kids come, they’re so happy, and they’re always dressing so nice for Christmas,” Hall said.

A Timeless Message

“A Christmas Story” is a special play that brings families together. Although the story is a humorous account of a young boy’s daily life during the holidays, all of the adaptations have turned it into something much bigger.  Capturing the spirit of the production, Morales said, “A message that always sticks out to us from the play is when Ralph says, ‘It was a good Christmas, because we had each other; we had love. And in the final accounting, isn’t that what it’s all about?’”