Jean Shepherd's A Christmas Story (adapted by Philip Grecian)
at Laguna Hills

Reviewed on December 4, 2015

Yamini Nambimadom
University
Submitted for publication to OC Register

A Heartwarming Gift from Laguna Hills' "A Christmas Story"
written by Yamini Nambimadon, a senior at University High School

Fifth-grader Ralphie Parker sits upstairs, fantasizing about the best part of Christmas: presents. But in the next few weeks, after strange encounters with bullies, best friends, swear words, and infatuated girls, Ralphie uncovers the true gifts of Christmas— not the ones wrapped inside colorful paper and ribbons, but rather, in the love shared with his friends and family. Laguna Hills High School's skillfully executed rendition of the Christmas classic is amusing and lively.

Ambling onstage with his hands placed gently against his wooden cane, Ralph (Eli Buckels) begins to narrate the most memorable Christmas of his childhood. Buckels' hoarse voice lends age and maturity to his commentary on the importance of family, friends, and love. Drawn-on wrinkles, white hair and eyebrows, and a spotty beard, designed by Linsey Schreck, enhance Ralph's ripened wisdom as he widens his eyes and raises his eyebrows.

Danielle Kelly skillfully portrays the innocent, youthful fifth grade Ralph. In Ralph's daydreams about the coveted "Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle", Kelly nods her head, folds her arms, puffs her chest, and chuckles, cheerily communicating Ralph's fantasies.

Ralphie's mother (Grace Kinsella) is a source of composure amidst the Christmas chaos. While her husband (Jacob Woldridge) and sons are running amuck, Kinsella maintains a reassuring demeanor. She calms Randy (Mackenzie Conwell) with a bright, toothy smile, cheery inflection, and a stifled chuckle. She leans in towards him with comforting eyes and rubs his back, effectively expressing motherly love.

Popping out from behind the couch and under the kitchen table, Mackenzie Conwell elicits laughter as Randy Parker. Conwell's quirky physicality, including shuffled steps and robotic arm movements, coupled with shrill squealing and loud crying, commendably transform her into a pesky, yet lovable, little brother.

Flick (Rudy Buttlar) similarly elicits laughter. Whilst being bullied by Farkas (Ryan Batten), Buttlar's high pitch and dejected eyes convey terror. Pressured by Schwartz (Noah Estling) to press his tongue against a frozen lamppost, Buttlar employs a muffled but clear delivery of Flick's desperate cries, believably producing the effect of having a frozen tongue.

Classic Holiday songs, including "White Christmas", underscore scene changes, adding a heartwarming touch of Christmas spirit.

Chock-full of cheer, Laguna Hills' "A Christmas Story" humorously evokes the true meaning of Christmas: to cherish the love of those who mean the most.

Madison Cole
Capistrano Valley
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Laguna's "A Christmas Story" will shoot your eye out.
written by Madison Cole, a junior at Capistrano Valley High School

A horrifying leg lamp, a fluorescent pink bunny onesie and turkey stealing hounds all have one thing in common. Each are components to the pandemonium surrounding Ralphie's Christmas chaos.

Laguna Hills's "A Christmas Story" recaptures the essence of childhood wonder and the love and joy of the Christmas season. Told through the eyes of an elderly man as he reminisces about his most memorable Christmas, one where he desperately wishes for a Red Ryder BB gun and will do anything to achieve it.

Eli Buckels portrays Ralph, a frail aged man who dreams of a past Christmas. As he recalls a variety of episodes, Buckels gazes upon his younger self and reflects the same child-like emotions. A shake in his voice as he gently presses his hand on top of his cane add natural age and authenticity to older Ralph.

Ralph's younger persona, Ralphie, is portrayed by Danielle Kelly who captures the essence of a charming, little boy. As Ralphie imagines whimsical scenarios of saving the day, absurdity fills the stage. During these sequences, Kelly floats around the stage with flailing arms and wide innocent, looking grins.

Kelly and Buckels play off one another's high energy with identical guileless emotions that push life and spontaneity throughout the production.

One weekday morning Ralphie and his two best friends, Schwartz and Flick, wait with anticipation around a lamp post. Schwartz (Noah Estling) triple dog dares Flick (Rudy Buttlar) into sticking his tongue against the frozen metal. Buttlar widens his eyes and timidly presses his tongue to the post and instantly panic shivers throughout his body as he finds himself stuck to the post. Through muffled groans, Buttlar demonstrates Flick's genuine fear but keeps the hilarity of the scene as he whines and struggles to pull himself from the pole.

Keeping the Christmas Spirit is Alexandra Reyes, Miranda Huncovsky, and Abi Kamae with their exquisite sound design. In between each scene, delightful Christmas tunes fill the stage with joy and winter vibes. Another notable sound effect is when Ralphie finally receives the BB gun and melodious, gospel music exclaiming "hallelujah" flow from the heavens.

A story told by an enthusiastic, single-minded Ralphie reminds that the spirit of Christmas is through the imagination of children. The cast and crew of Laguna's "A Christmas Story" brings out the magical feeling of Christmas with care and hilarity.

Hailey Hageman
St. Margaret's Episcopal
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

All We Want for Christmas is Laguna Hills' ‘A Christmas Story'
written by Hailey Hageman, a junior at St. Margaret's Episcopal School

As it nears the much awaited holiday season, the Christmas spirit overflowing at Laguna Hills High School, as their rendition of the 1983 film 'A Christmas Story' takes the stage. Depicting a narration of the true excitement of Christmas during childhood, Laguna Hills brings to life a comedic story of a small family in Hohman, Indiana.

Nine-year-old Ralphie Parker (Danielle Kelly) has only one thing on his mind for his Christmas present. He wants a BB gun, but not just any BB gun: he wants an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle with a compass and this thing which tells time built right in the stock. Full of boyish charm and wide eyed innocence, Ralphie deals with the rest of his hometown telling him that what he wants for Christmas won't happen, because he is bound to shoot his eye out.

Acting as a narrator for this Christmas story is the older version of Ralphie (Eli Buckels), who retells the story of his childhood memories with a twinkle in his eye and a sentimental voice. Buckels' execution of the role of a narrator helps develop the plot of the show, as he becomes a believable old man as soon as he steps on stage. Whether it's his hands gently resting on a cane or leisurely reading a paper during intermission, Buckels' commitment to his role add to the realism and immersion of the show.

Likewise, Ralphie's kid-brother Randy (Mackenzie Conwell) also adds to the overall quality of the show. Whether Randy is popping up from a hiding spot behind the couch or shouting "Santa! Santa!" in line at a department store, Conwell creates a loveable character full of the excitement that surrounds Christmas.

On the technical side of the show, makeup and hair designed by Linsey Schreck allowed the show to reach a higher level of realism, especially through the special effects makeup that transformed Ralph, the narrator, to an old man.

Laguna Hills High School encompassed the true festivity and child-like excitement of the Christmas season in their modern rendition of the classic movie, ‘A Christmas Story'.