The leg lamp is lit, the bunny suit is fluffed, and the spirit of the season is ready to take the stage — right here in Utica!
Broadway Utica is thrilled to announce that A Christmas Story The Musical will be teching and launching its national holiday tour at The Stanley Theatre on November 11th and 12th at 7:30PM. That’s right — before this beloved show brings its magic to audiences across the country, it will make its very first stop in the heart of our city.
Based on the classic 1983 film that has become a holiday tradition for generations, A Christmas Story The Musical brings Ralphie Parker’s quest for his dream Christmas gift — a Red Ryder BB gun — to life with humor, warmth, and toe-tapping tunes. It’s everything you love about the movie, with an extra dose of Broadway sparkle.
From the hilarious “Oh Fudge!” moment to the unforgettable pink bunny suit, this musical captures every nostalgic laugh and tender moment that makes A Christmas Story a timeless favorite. And for Utica audiences, it’s more than just a show — it’s a chance to experience Broadway magic as it comes to life for the first time this season.
“Hosting a national tour launch is always something special,” says Carter Klumbach, Marketing Coordinator for Broadway Utica. “It means our community gets a front-row seat to the start of something extraordinary — seeing the final touches, the excitement, and the energy before the curtain rises on the road.”
When a national tour chooses to tech in Utica, it’s more than just lights, sound, and rehearsals — it’s a full-scale production that energizes our entire community. For several weeks, cast and crew members from across the country call Utica home as they fine-tune the show before it hits the road. That means full hotels, busy restaurants, bustling coffee shops, and extra support for countless local businesses: Averaging at more than $300,000 in local spending that flows directly back into the community. That is all thanks to these productions that decide to tech here in the heart of our beloved city!
With A Christmas Story The Musical set to tech at The Stanley Theatre this November, we’re excited to welcome the next wave of artists, stagehands, and storytellers — and to see that positive impact grow even stronger. Each tech show is not only a celebration of Broadway-level talent, but a reminder of how live theatre continues to uplift, inspire, and invest in the heart of our city.
So, whether you’re a longtime fan of the film or discovering Ralphie’s adventures for the first time, this production promises all the laughs, heart, and holiday cheer you could wish for. Gather your family, grab your tickets, and make A Christmas Story The Musical part of your holiday tradition.
Because in Utica, the holidays start at The Stanley Theatre — and this year, they’re coming with a bang, a laugh, and maybe even a little fudge.
A Christmas Story The Musical
November 11 & 12 at 7:30 PM
The Stanley Theatre, Utica, NY