Music and Lyrics: Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
World Premiere Recording
Release Date: October 22, 2012
Tracks: 18
Label: Masterworks Broadway
Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars
What is the holidays without “A Christmas Story”? This film has been the highlight of all of my holiday seasons since I was a young kid. You can always tell when holidays are around when the “A Christmas Story” quotes start flowing my house. When I heard that one of my favorite films was coming to Broadway, I was very excited and also very nervous. Well if the songs have any bearing on the play itself, it is going to be a huge success. “A Christmas Story: The Musical” will arrive on Broadway this holiday season at The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre from November 5 – December 30, 2012. Be sure to pick up this album as well so you can sing along with the songs or enjoy then again after seeing the play.
“A Christmas Story” is turning 30 next year and yet shows no signs of fading. This film’s fan base only gets bigger and bigger easy year. Masterworks Broadway is behind this release of the World Premiere Recording and they did a wonderful job of delivering the play to the homes of its fans. Of course since this is a play a needs to be expanded a bit, it is based off the book by Joseph Robinette and the writings of radio humorist Jean Shepherd and it works really well. Since it is Broadway musical, the songs have to be amazing. The music and lyrics are from Richard Rodgers Award-winning newcomers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and they do not let us down. The 18-tracks included are all great with each one outdoing the next. I heard some sample of these tracks back in 2008 and they have only gotten better and better.
“A Christmas Story: The Musical” is not only fun but also extremely clever with their songs. I can imagine the audience faces in the theaters as they jump from song to song to the next. They are also almost guaranteed to get you into the holiday spirit. From the moment that “Counting Down to Christmas” starts, it is a really great kick-off and puts you in the mood. “Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun” is really funny and sharp. “A Major Award” is simply epic and leaves you laughing. Lastly one of the best track is the irresistible “Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana”. To ensure that this play was done right it is also being produced by the film’s original Ralphie, Peter Billingsley. So get ready to hear some of the characters that you watch every year but in a completely new way through the beauty of song. But be warned, you will find yourself singing along right away as these songs are very catchy.
Track Listings
1. Overture
2. Counting Down to Christmas
3. At Higbee’s
4. Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun
5. Counting Down to Christmas (Reprise)
6. The Genius on Cleveland Street
7. When You’re a Wimp
8. Ralphie to the Rescue
9. What A Mother Does
10. Sticky Situation
11. A Major Award
12. Act One – Finale
13. A Kid At Christmas
14. Just Like That
15. Up On Santa’s Lap
16. Before the Old Man Comes Home
17. Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana
18. A Christmas Story
