A Christmas Story Play Script PDF: How to Download, Read and Perform the Holiday Classic
A Christmas Story play script pdf: A timeless holiday classic
If you are looking for a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday season, you might want to download A Christmas Story play script pdf and perform it with your family or friends. A Christmas Story is a beloved movie that has become a part of the American culture and tradition. It is based on a play by Philip Grecian, which in turn is based on a book by Jean Shepherd. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about A Christmas Story play script pdf, including its origin, plot, characters, cultural impact, legacy, sources, benefits, drawbacks, tips, tricks, props, costumes, fun and challenges.
A Christmas Story Play Script Pdf
What is A Christmas Story and why is it so popular?
A Christmas Story is a comedy film that was released in 1983. It was directed by Bob Clark and written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark. It is based on a series of semi-autobiographical stories by Jean Shepherd that were published in his book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash. The film follows the adventures of Ralphie Parker, a nine-year-old boy who desperately wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas in the 1940s. Along the way, he has to deal with his quirky family, his annoying classmates, his strict teacher, his nemesis bully and his overprotective mother who always says "You'll shoot your eye out!"
The origin of A Christmas Story
The origin of A Christmas Story can be traced back to the 1950s, when Jean Shepherd was a popular radio personality who told humorous stories about his childhood in Indiana. He later wrote some of these stories for Playboy magazine and collected them in his book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash in 1966. Some of the stories that inspired A Christmas Story include "Duel in the Snow, or Red Ryder Nails the Cleveland Street Kid", "The Counterfeit Secret Circle Member Gets the Message, or The Asp Strikes Again", "My Old Man and the Lascivious Special Award That Heralded the Birth of Pop Art", "The Grandstand Passion Play of Delbert and the Bumpus Hounds" and "Flick's Tongue". In 1974, Shepherd narrated a television adaptation of one of his stories called "The Phantom of the Open Hearth", which featured some elements that would later appear in A Christmas Story.
The plot and characters of A Christmas Story
The plot of A Christmas Story revolves around Ralphie Parker's quest to get a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. He tries various tactics to convince his parents, his teacher and even Santa Claus that he deserves it. However, he faces many obstacles and challenges along the way. Some of the memorable scenes from the film include Ralphie's daydreams about saving his family from bandits, his friend Flick getting his tongue stuck to a frozen flagpole, his father winning a leg lamp as a major award, his brother Randy hiding under the kitchen sink, his encounter with a scary Santa at the department store, his fight with the bully Scut Farkus, and his ultimate disappointment and surprise on Christmas morning.
The characters of A Christmas Story are based on Jean Shepherd's real-life family and friends. Ralphie Parker is the protagonist and narrator of the film, voiced by Jean Shepherd himself. He is a smart, imaginative and adventurous boy who loves radio shows, comic books and movies. He is obsessed with getting a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas, despite everyone's warnings that he will shoot his eye out. His father, referred to as "The Old Man", is a grumpy, eccentric and foul-mouthed man who works as a salesman and has a passion for crossword puzzles, turkey dinners and the Chicago Bears. His mother is a sweet, caring and patient woman who tries to keep the peace in the family and protect Ralphie from harm. His younger brother Randy is a whiny, fussy and timid boy who hates eating, wearing winter clothes and going to school. He often follows Ralphie around and annoys him.
Some of the other characters in A Christmas Story are Ralphie's friends and enemies. His best friends are Flick and Schwartz, who share his interests and hobbies. Flick is a loyal, naive and gullible boy who falls victim to a triple dog dare that results in him getting his tongue stuck to a frozen flagpole. Schwartz is a mischievous, rebellious and sarcastic boy who teaches Ralphie "the queen mother of dirty words" that gets him in trouble. Ralphie's archenemy is Scut Farkus, a mean, cruel and cowardly bully who terrorizes the neighborhood kids with his yellow eyes and coonskin cap. He is accompanied by his sidekick Grover Dill, a smaller but equally vicious bully who laughs maniacally at Scut's antics. Ralphie's teacher is Miss Shields, a strict, stern and intimidating woman who assigns Ralphie a theme on what he wants for Christmas. She also appears in Ralphie's fantasies as a wicked witch who tortures him for wanting a BB gun. Ralphie's idol is Little Orphan Annie, a radio show character who sends secret messages to her loyal listeners using a decoder ring.
The cultural impact and legacy of A Christmas Story
A Christmas Story was not a big hit when it was first released in 1983. It received mixed reviews from critics and had a modest box office performance. However, it gradually gained popularity through word-of-mouth and repeated television broadcasts. Since 1997, the cable network TNT has aired A Christmas Story for 24 hours straight on every Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The film has become a cult classic and a part of the American culture and tradition. It has been recognized by various organizations and institutions as one of the best and most influential films of all time. It has been selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, ranked as one of the 100 funniest movies by the American Film Institute, listed as one of the 50 greatest holiday movies by Entertainment Weekly, and voted as one of the top 10 Christmas movies by Rotten Tomatoes.
A Christmas Story has also spawned many sequels, adaptations, parodies, merchandise and attractions. In 1988, Jean Shepherd wrote and narrated a sequel called Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss, which focused on Ralphie's family vacation to Michigan. In 1994, Bob Clark directed another sequel called It Runs in the Family (also known as My Summer Story), which featured different actors playing Ralphie's family and explored their summer adventures in Indiana. In 2012, another sequel called A Christmas Story 2 was released direct-to-video, which followed Ralphie as a teenager who wants a car for Christmas. In 2017, Fox aired a live musical version of A Christmas Story, which was based on a Broadway musical that debuted in 2012. The musical featured new songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who also wrote the songs for La La Land and The Greatest Showman.
A Christmas Story has also inspired many parodies and references in other media, such as The Simpsons, Family Guy, South Park, Saturday Night Live, The Big Bang Theory, Elf and Deadpool 2. The film has also generated many merchandise items, such as action figures, board games, puzzles, ornaments, clothing, books and DVDs. The most iconic item is the leg lamp, which has become a symbol of kitsch and pop culture. The film has also led to the creation of various attractions related to A Christmas Story. In 2006, the house where the film was shot in Cleveland was purchased by a fan who restored it to its ```html film appearance as it was in 1983. It is now a museum that offers tours and overnight stays for fans of A Christmas Story. The museum across the street features original props, costumes and memorabilia from the film, as well as rare behind-the-scenes photos and videos. The gift shop sells various merchandise items related to A Christmas Story, such as leg lamps, decoder rings, BB guns and more. The house and museum are open year round and attract thousands of visitors every year .
How to get A Christmas Story play script pdf online?
If you want to get A Christmas Story play script pdf online, you have a few options to choose from. You can either buy it from the official source, download it from alternative sources or create your own pdf from online sources. Each option has its own benefits and drawbacks that you should consider before making your decision.
The official source of A Christmas Story play script pdf
The official source of A Christmas Story play script pdf is the Dramatic Publishing Company, which owns the exclusive rights to the play by Philip Grecian. You can order a copy of the play script pdf from their website for $9.95. You will need to create an account and provide your personal and payment information. You will also need to agree to their terms and conditions, which state that you are not allowed to make copies, alterations, deletions or substitutions of the play script without their permission. You are also not allowed to perform the play without paying royalty fees and obtaining a license from them.
The benefit of buying the play script pdf from the official source is that you will get a high-quality and authorized version of the play that is faithful to the original film and book. You will also support the original author and publisher of the play and respect their intellectual property rights. The drawback of buying the play script pdf from the official source is that you will have to pay a relatively high price for a single copy of the play that you can only use for personal purposes. You will also have to follow their strict rules and regulations regarding the use and performance of the play.
The alternative sources of A Christmas Story play script pdf
The alternative sources of A Christmas Story play script pdf are various websites that offer free or cheap downloads of the play script pdf without authorization from the Dramatic Publishing Company. You can find these websites by searching online using keywords such as "A Christmas Story play script pdf", "A Christmas Story play script free download" or "A Christmas Story play script online". Some examples of these websites are StudioBinder, The Drama Teacher and PDF Drive. These websites usually provide a link or a button that allows you to download or view the play script pdf on your device.
The benefit of downloading the play script pdf from alternative sources is that you will save money and time by getting a free or cheap copy of the play that you can access instantly. You will also have more flexibility and freedom in using and performing the play as you wish. The drawback of downloading the play script pdf from alternative sources is that you will get a low-quality and unauthorized version of the play that may not be accurate or complete. You will also violate the intellectual property rights of the original author and publisher of the play and risk legal consequences.
The benefits and drawbacks of downloading A Christmas Story play script pdf
Downloading A Christmas Story play script pdf online has both benefits and drawbacks that you should weigh carefully before making your choice. Here is a summary table that compares the pros and cons of each option:
Option
Benefits
Drawbacks
Official source
High-quality and authorized versionSupports original author and publisherRespects intellectual property rights
High price for single copyStrict rules and regulationsLimited use and performance
Alternative sources
Free or cheap copyInstant accessFlexible use and performance
Low-quality and unauthorized versionViolates intellectual property rightsRisks legal consequences
Create your own pdf
Customized and personalized versionNo costNo rules and regulations
Time-consuming and labor-intensiveRequires online sourcesMay not be faithful to original film and book
How to perform A Christmas Story play script pdf with your family or friends?
If you decide to download A Christmas Story play script pdf online and perform it with your family or friends, you will need to prepare some things beforehand. You will need to assign the roles, rehearse the scenes, gather the props and costumes, set up the stage and invite the audience. Here are some tips and tricks for staging A Christmas Story play script pdf with your family or friends:
The tips and tricks for staging A Christmas Story play script pdf
Read the play script carefully and understand the plot, characters, setting, tone and theme of the play. You can also watch the film or read the book for reference.
Choose the roles that suit your personality, skills and preferences. You can also double up or switch roles if you have a small cast. Make sure everyone is comfortable and confident with their roles.
Rehearse the scenes as often as possible and practice your lines, movements, expressions and interactions. You can also improvise or adapt some parts of the play to make it more fun and personal.
Gather the props and costumes that you need for the play. You can use items that you already have at home or buy them from thrift stores or online shops. You can also make your own props and costumes using materials such as cardboard, paper, fabric, paint, glue, etc.
Set up the stage in a suitable space that has enough room, lighting and sound. You can use furniture, curtains, sheets, posters, etc. to create the backdrop and scenery of the play. You can also use music, sound effects, lights, etc. to enhance the mood and atmosphere of the play.
Invite the audience that you want to share your play with. You can invite your family members, friends, neighbors, classmates, teachers, etc. You can also record or livestream your play online for a wider audience.
The props and costumes for A Christmas Story play script pdf
Some of the props and costumes that you will need for A Christmas Story play script pdf are:
Prop/Costume
Description
Example
Red Ryder BB gun
A toy gun that shoots metal pellets and has a compass and a sundial in the stock. It is Ralphie's dream gift for Christmas.
Leg lamp
A lamp in the shape of a woman's leg wearing a fishnet stocking and a high-heeled shoe. It is the major award that Ralphie's father wins in a contest.
Pink bunny suit
A one-piece pajama suit that resembles a pink bunny with ears, mittens and slippers. It is a gift from Ralphie's aunt Clara that he hates wearing.
Tongue flagpoleA metal flagpole that Flick gets his tongue stuck to after being dared by Schwartz.Fragile crateA wooden crate that contains the leg lamp. It has the word "FRAGILE" written on it in large letters.Coonskin cap
A hat made of raccoon fur that has a tail hanging from the back. It is worn by Scut Farkus as a sign of his authority and menace.
Decoder ring
A metal ring that has letters and numbers on it. It is used to decode secret messages from Little Orphan Annie's radio show.
Santa suit
A red and white outfit that consists of a coat, pants, boots, belt, hat and beard. It is worn by Santa Claus and his helpers at the department store.
The fun and challenges of acting out A Christmas Story play script pdf
Acting out A Christmas Story play script pdf with your family or friends can be a lot of fun and a great way to celebrate the holiday season. You can relive the hilarious and heartwarming moments from the film and book, express your creativity and talent, bond with your loved ones and entertain your audience. However, it can also be challenging and require some effort and preparation. You will need to memorize your lines, practice your timing, coordinate your movements, overcome your stage fright, deal with unexpected situations and respect the original work.
Conclusion
A Christmas Story play script pdf is a wonderful resource for anyone who loves A Christmas Story and wants to perform it with their family or friends. It is based on a play by Philip Grecian, which in turn is based on a film by Bob Clark and a book by Jean Shepherd. It tells the story of Ralphie Parker, a nine-year-old boy who wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas in the 1940s. It is a comedy film that has become a cult classic and a part of the American culture and tradition. You can get A Christmas Story play script pdf online from various sources, but you should be aware of the benefits and drawbacks of each option. You can also stage A Christmas Story play script pdf with some tips and tricks, props and costumes, fun and challenges.
FAQs
Q: How long is A Christmas Story play script pdf?
A: A Christmas Story play script pdf is about 100 pages long and has two acts.
Q: How many characters are in A Christmas Story play script pdf?
A: A Christmas Story play script pdf has about 20 characters, including Ralphie, his family, his friends, his teacher, his enemies and Santa Claus.
Q: Where can I buy a leg lamp like the one in A Christmas Story?
A: You can buy a leg lamp like the one in A Christmas Story from various online shops, such as Amazon, TVStoreOnline or Etsy. You can also visit the gift shop at A Christmas Story House and Museum in Cleveland.
Q: What does Ralphie's secret message from Little Orphan Annie say?
A: Ralphie's secret message from Little Orphan Annie says "Be sure to drink your Ovaltine", which disappoints him as he expected something more exciting.
Q: What does Ralphie say when he accidentally shoots his eye with his BB gun?
A: Ralphie says "Oh my god! I shot my eye out!" which is what everyone warned him about.
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