Bureau County Republican

River Valley Players announce cast for ‘A Christmas Story The Musical’

HENRY — River Valley Players has announced the cast for “A Christmas Story The Musical,” set to be presented Nov. 2-4 and 9-11 at St. John’s Community Center, 1301 Second St. in Henry.

This Christmas classic has entertained audiences for years, and River Valley Players is bringing this story just in time to kick off the holiday season.

The production team includes Charlotte Balensiefen, director; Jane Knapp, music director; and choreographers Deanne Crook and Christine Gaspardo.

The cast includes: Mark Nowakowski, Jean Shepherd (narrator); Adam Oldaker, the old man; Deanne Crook, mother; Preston Rowe, Ralphie; Ben Meachum, Randy; Christine Gaspardo, Miss Shields; Corbin Shaver, Scut Farkus/Black Bart; Luke Bowen, Grover Dill/Bandit; Brenton Waystout, Santa; Jack Knisley, Schwartz; Bobby Gaspardo, Flick; Emma Gaspardo, Esther Jane; Olivia Bergfeld, Mary Beth; Taylor Frawley, Nancy; Brian Shaver and Cyndy Bruch, chief elves; Elizabeth Wild, Derrik Gaspardo, Kayla Eckert, Chloe Hartwig, Braden Schrock, Bella Gaspardo and Anna Rediger, elves; Abbie Stanbary and Rachel Eckert, acrobat elves; Mya Shaver, Googles Kid; Braden Schrock, Bella Gaspardo and Anna Rediger, mobster tap specialty; Christopher Yee, Grace Anderson, Mya Shaver, Kaitlyn Anderson, Madison Stanbary, Bella Gaspardo, Abbie Stanbary, Rachel Eckert and Anna Rediger, kids ensemble (neighbors, shoppers, students, speciality dancers, etc.); and Cyndy Bruch, Kayla Eckert, Ethan Elliott, Brian Shaver, Dayton Maubach, Ella Bergfeld, Georgia Sharwarko, Braden Schrock, Elizabeth Wild, Chloe Hartwig, Jeff Bergfeld and Derrik Gaspardo; adult ensemble (neighbors, shoppers, parents, waitresses, specialty dancers, etc.).

Friday night performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Family Fun Night, with concessions available for purchase prior to the show, including hot dogs, chips, cookies, brownies, popcorn and beverages, will be Nov. 2. The Nov. 9 concessions will include a variety of homemade dessert items. The show only, Friday night tickets, are $19.

The dinner theatre options are for Saturday and Sunday performances. A buffet dinner, catered by The Meeting Place, will also include a salad bar, dessert, coffee and three beverages. Adult tickets for the dinner and show are $35, with a special price for children ages 10 and under available for $27. On Saturdays, the meal is served at 6:30 p.m.

The Sunday meals will be served at 12:30 p.m.

Doors will open 30 minutes prior to all performances.

For tickets, visit www.rvphenry.org or call 309-238-7878.