2018
A Christmas Story, The Musical
Directed by Charlotte Balensiefen
RING IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH RIVER VALLEY PLAYER’S
“A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL”
Pictured: Adam Oldaker (Old Man); Deann Crook (Mother); Preston Rowe (Ralphie
Parker); and Ben Mechum (Randy)
Join Ralphie and his family, along with the rest of this talented cast and crew,
as they bring the Christmas classic from the screen to the stage. Most of us
couldn’t have possibly escaped our childhood without watching A Christmas Story
the movie at least once in our lives, especially with the 24 hour marathons that
are aired every Christmas Eve. Similar to the 1983 movie, the musical takes
place during the 1940’s, in the fictional town of Holman, Indiana. The audience
is taken along on young Ralphie Parker’s quest for the “Holy Grail of Christmas
gifts,” which is of none other than the “official Red Ryder, carbine action,
200-shot, range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock and this thing that
tells time!” Despite being rebuffed consistently throughout his journey, Ralphie
continues to devise a new plan that will bring him and his coveted BB gun
together once and for all this Christmas.
You will be sure to enjoy this versatile score that includes gentle ballads, as
well as several full ensemble show stoppers, such as “Ralphie to the Rescue,” “A
Major Award,” “Sticky Situation,” “Up On Santa’s Lap,” “Somewhere Hovering Over
Indiana,” and the undeniable, “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out.” Don’t worry...we
promise all of the classic, iconic scenes haven’t been forsaken. Those dreadful
bullies, Farkus and Dill, are still alive and well. Mother will certainly insist
on Randy getting into his snowsuit and Ralphie donning the infamous bunny suit.
The Old Man is sure to get his leg lamp reward and yes...Flick will stick his
tongue to the flagpole. But wait! That’s not all! There will be many more
reflections to savor and who could possibly forget that fateful night at the
Chinese restaurant?!
“A Christmas Story, The Musical” will take place on November 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 9th,
10th and 11th. Bring the whole family down and ring in the holiday season with
us!
Friday night performances are at 7:30 pm. November 2nd is Family Fun Night.
Concessions will be available for purchase prior to the show and will include
hot dogs, chips, cookies, brownies, popcorn, and beverages. On November 9th,
concessions will include a variety of delectable homemade desserts and beverages
for purchase.
Friday night tickets (show only) are $19.00.
Our dinner theatre options are for Saturday and Sunday performances. A delicious
buffet dinner of ham, turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, and
carrots, catered by The Meeting Place, will also include a salad bar, dessert,
coffee, and 3 beverages. Adult tickets for the dinner theatre are $35.00. A
special “Christmas Story” price for children ages 10 and under is $27.00.
Saturday meals are served at 6:30 pm. Sunday meals are served at 12:30 pm. Doors
open 30 minutes prior to all performances.
For tickets visit our website www.rvphenry.org or call (309) 238-7878.
Don’t miss this delightful combination of comedy and heart. One minute you’ll
laugh so hard that you’ll cry and then in another, we promise to take a good tug
at those heartstrings. Come On! “We Triple dog dare you not to smile!!!!”
River Valley Players is happy to announce the cast for A Christmas Story,The Musical!
JEAN SHEPHERD (NARRATOR): Mark Nowakowski
THE OLD MAN: Adam Oldaker
MOTHER: Deanne Crook
RALPHIE: Preston Rowe
RANDY: Ben Meachum
MISS SHIELDS: Christine Gaspardo
SCUT FARKUS/BLACK BART: Corbin Shaver
GROVER DILL/BANDIT: Luke Bowen
SANTA: Brenton Waystout
SCHWARTZ: Jack Knisley
FLICK: Bobby Gaspardo
ESTHER JANE: Emma Gaspardo
MARY BETH: Olivia Bergfeld
NANCY: Taylor Frawley
CHIEF ELVES: Brian Shaver & Cyndy Bruch,ELVES: Elizabeth Wild, Derrik Gaspardo, Kayla Eckert,
Chloe Hartwig, Braden Schrock, Hailey Rumbled,
Bella Gaspardo, Anna Rediger,ACROBAT ELVES: Abbie Stanbary & Rachel Eckert
GOGGLES KID: Mya Shaver
MOBSTER TAP SPECIALTY: Braden Schrock,
Bella Gaspardo, Anna Rediger
KIDS ENSEMBLE (NEIGHBORS, SHOPPERS, STUDENTS, SPECIALITY DANCERS ETC.):
Christopher Yee, Grace Anderson, Mya Shaver,
Kaitlyn Anderson, Madison Stanbary,
Bella Gaspardo, Abbie Stanbary,
Rachel Eckert, Anna Rediger,
ADULT ENSEMBLE (NEIGHBORS, SHOPPERS, PARENTS, WAITRESSES,SPECIALTY DANCERS ETC):
Genevieve Phipps, Cyndy Bruch, Kayla Eckert,
Ethan Elliott, Brian Shaver, Dayton Maubach, Ella Bergfeld,
Georgia Sharwarko, Braden Schrock, Elizabeth Wild,
Hailey Rumbold, Chloe Hartwig, Jeff Bergfeld,
Derrik Gaspardo
Performances are November 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11. Tickets for Friday performances are $19 for the show only – Friday night
performances are at 7:30 PM. November 2 is Family Fun Night, with concessions available for purchase prior to the show including
hot dogs, chips, cookies, brownies and popcorn and beverages, Friday, November 9, concessions will include a variety of wonderful homemade dessert items. Our delicious dinner/ theatre options are for Saturday and Sunday performances. Tickets are $35.00 and
include a buffet dinner and salad bar catered by the Meeting place, followed by the show.
December 2018
A Huge River Valley Player's Thank You goes out to all of our generous supporters! We appreciate each and every person and family who donated all of the lovely raffle items, those who helped make the baskets FUN N FESTIVE, the labor of love stitched into the BEAUTIFUL Christmas quilt, and last, but not least ALL of our FAITHFUL patrons and cast and crew members (and their families) who supported RVP through their purchasing of raffle tickets.
Winners of the Raffles!!!!
Christmas Village: Carol Beltramea
Leg Lamp Basket: Kerri Hicks
Family Movie Night: Nancy Andersen
Red Ryder BB Gun:
Dawn Eckard
Santa is delivering "Old Blue" to you, Dawn! He packed it up before I could get a picture if it, but here's one with Ralphie and our director, Charlotte Balensiefen! And please forgive me EVERYONE, I really didn't know it wasn't plastic!!! 😂
Baking Basket:
Sharon Hartenbower
Congratulations!
Chinese Dinner and Wine:
Deb Newton
Quilt Raffle: Sue Berberich
Thank you once again to the beautiful ladies M2AJ 😍 who sewed their hearts out making this quilt for our production!
Comment Card Cash Prize:
Sandy Hatzer
May 2018
Congratulations to the Cast & Crew of My Son Pinocchio for a GREAT show!!!
RVP My Son Pinocchio JR. Cast List
Gepetto: Corbin Shaver
Pinocchio: Taylor Frawley
The Blue Fairy: Madison Stanbary
Rosa: Olivia Bergfeld
Viola: Taylor Compton
Arancia: Emma Kay Gaspardo
Sue: Bella Gaspardo
Stromboli: Preston Rowe
R Marionette: Mikayla Frawley
L Marionette: Rachel Eckert
Signora Lisi, Constratana, Signora Marino: Anna Rediger
Signora Alcomo, Signora Rosati: Lillian Sandberg
Signora Giovani, Signora Fucito: Kayleigh Lafferty
Signora Mancini, Maria: Georgia Sharwarko
Signora Sommerella, Signora Pronto, Bernardo: Dayton Maubach
Dante: Rayden Marliere
Agata, Marionette: Brynna Anderson
Francesca: Emily Culp
Fiorello, Boy #1,Brutto: Carter Williams
Adriana, Fox: Kaitlyn Anderson
Luigi (Name will be Luisa): Audrey Chambers
Gina, Fox Mother: Taylor Rowe
Lia: Isabelle Knuckey
Rica, Horse: Grace Anderson
Amelia: Elizabeth Knuckey
Salvatore: Logan Siegmann
Carla: Cora Stetson
Lucia, Girl #1, Sporco: Rylan Davis
Giuseppe: TJ Myers
Boy #2: Christopher Yee
Boy #3: Sayge Compton
Girl #2: Skylnn Frawley
Girl #3: Keira Zack
Professor Buonragazzo: Bobby Gaspardo
Junior: Mackenzie Stanbary
Talia: Trinity Frawley
Pig: Allison Real
Ring Leader: Jack Knisley
Malvolio: Mya Shaver
Marionette: Brooklynn Cotton
Town Children: Cohen Anderson, Brynna Anderson, Kaitlyn Anderson, Abigail Briggs, Audrey Chambers, Leah Chambers, Sayge Compton, Brooklynn Cotton, Ella Culp, Emily Culp, Rylan Davis, Brookelin Eaves, Mikayla Frawley, Skylynn Frawley, Trinity Frawley, Elizabeth Knuckey, Isabelle Knuckey, Abbie Myers, TJ Myers, Allison Real, Jordyn Rowe, Mya Shaver, Rylen Shaver, Logan Siegmann, Mackenzie Stanbary, Cora Stetson, Carter Williams, Keira Zack
Town Parents: Bobby Gaspardo, Jack Knisley, Christopher Yee, Anna Rediger, Georgia Sharwarko, Kayleigh Lafferty, Lillian Sandberg, Dayton Maubach
River Valley Players acting workshop featuring Shannon Hill was everything she promised. Shannon a former artistic director with Festival 56, Princeton Illinois, and brought forth an impressive background of acting and theatre experience to share.
Saturday, March 17 two - 3-hour workshops were provided
9 am to 12 p.m. Ages 9-12 years old
1 pm to 4 p.m. Ages 13 through adult
Class outline:
Intro to Stage and Theatre Basics, Blocking, Countering, Basic Theatre Terms Acting Basics, Emotion and Physicality, Action/Objective Work Character Voice and Physicality, Open Scenes
Stage Combat Basics (stage falls, shove, slap, punch, hair/ear pulls etc.)
Shannon's experience includes:
B.A in Theatre Performance
M.F. A / Theatre University of Houston and English Literature /Western Michigan University
Director of over 20 shows
Vocal Coach for Classical Theatre, Shakespeare (Houston TX)
Fight Choreographer for a number of productions
Instructor of Improv, Film Acting
Taughtmanytheatre and acting workshops and classes
Professional Actress/ Performer
You will not want to miss this opportunity to develop your acting skills with Shannon before she leaves our area to expand her professional acting career.
Shannon worked with our youth and provided them with a great learning experience as well as our young adult, up and coming actors and our seasoned, experienced actors. Everyone learned something new!
We hope to offer future workshops with Shannon when she is back in the area, an opportunity you won't want to miss!