We triple dog dare you...

Each of us likely can recall a special Christmas present from our childhood that consumed our pre-holiday thoughts like no other. We spied it in a store or catalog and could think of little else amid the distractions of the approaching holiday. Certainly, Christmas is a time of giving, but as children, we often focused more on the getting and were obsessed with our heart's desire. Whether it was a train set, a Cabbage Patch Kid, a Beanie Baby or a BB gun, each of us had that singular gift that captured our minds and hearts.
Hopefully, those Christmas dreams came true, but part of the magic of Christmas is the wishing, the anticipation and the excitement of the unknown.
Those elements are all captured perfectly in Four County Players' holiday production "A Christmas Story."
"A Christmas Story" follows the pre-holiday build-up of young Ralphie Parker in Jean Shepherd's humorous childhood holiday memoir of Christmas in the midwest during the 1940s.
We learn about Ralphie's curmudgeonly, excitable father, his warm-hearted and sincere mother and his odd little brother Randy who seems to have dietary, social and bladder problems. We're also treated to the obstacles of adolescents, including peer pressure and girls, homework, a ubiquitous and menacing school bully and the frustration adults create in a kid-centric world.
Nevertheless, Ralphie keeps his eyes on the prize: "An official Red Ryder, carbine-action, 200-shot, range model air rifle with a compass and this thing which tells time built right in the stock." Despite his unbridled enthusiasm and absolute focus, Ralphie is facing an uphill battle for his Christmas wish to come true, hearing, "You'll shoot your eye out," at every turn.
The bliss and bane of youth.
Four County Players' "A Christmas Story" is a treat for fans of the 1983 movie and those new to the story. Philip Grecian's stage adaptation closely parallels the movie, so those familiar with the movie can enjoy the production with the joy of knowing what's to come. Those who aren't are treated to the thrill of discovery of this amusing and nostalgic tale.
Robert Ryland does a great job as grown-up Ralph, narrating the tale and providing the context for our story. Bradley Shipp is a genuine Ralphie, while Kristin Rabourdin convincingly plays his meat loaf-fixing mother. Bill Smith plays Ralphie's father, "the old man," and his toned-down, colorful language rants are one of the show's highlights. Among Ralphie's peers, Jacob Deloriea stands out as bully Scut Farkas with his menacing and strident struts across stage.
Directors Devynn Bush and Andrew "Derby" Thomas tag-team the production and do a great job of telling Ralphie's tale. Sid Wood's wonderful set in Barboursville transports theater patrons to Ralph's 1940s home, his classroom, Goldblatt's Department Store and everywhere else in between.
The play runs a little long, but the story is enjoyable and entertaining.
"A Christmas Story" opened last Friday with performances on Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. through Dec. 19. There are two additional matinees Saturday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 19 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and students, and $10 for children; all tickets to Friday performances are only $5. The play is appropriate for all age groups. For more information and tickets, call the Four County Players box office at 832-5355 or check the website at www.fourcp.org.