A Christmas Story Live!

First then good. The actors for the father and teacher did quite a good job and obviously have had extensive stage experience. The costumes were accurate and some of the characters looked very much like the original movie.

The bad. The rest of the cast would appear to have never seen a musical let alone sing in one. I have been to a lot of musicals and often there is a guest star who does a passable job in a role while the rest of the cast is superb. This was quite the opposite. There were new scenes and almost unrecognizable old ones, but the worst was the butchering of the funniest scene in the movie just to make the restaurant scene politically correct.

This will not become a classic like the original movie. Will have to watch the movie to erase the thoughts of this one.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this production. The musical numbers are fresh and energetically presented, especially Jane Krakowski's tap number, the cast is amazingly talented, especially the kids and it's a fine interpretation of the story. I was once visiting an elderly woman for the holidays and the only thing worth watching was the repeated showing of the original movie. It took me at least a decade to get up the energy to watch that movie again, and I'm pleased with this production. It's not as good as either Hairspray or The Wiz, but it's nowhere near as dreadful as the Peter Pan! I will probably stream this again!

Now age 75 , I can related to this story and best evaluate its merits versus all 4 prior medium versions, down to the fact that TV did not exist at the time of the story or in my house either but bith hosuies had coal fired heating and I really wanted that RR BB gun, Yes, every adult told me " YOU WILL SHOT YOUR EYE OUT" In life that RR BB gun was the only thing I really wanted that I never obtained, but I always loved and respected my parent anyhow. I I Enjoyed this 5th level version and saved it on tape to share some ( but not all ) with my grandchildren who always ask about the "Leg " nitelite in my home. Down to the playground "monkey bars" the stage set were as valid as the songs were bad and rushed. The openning jazz seen was unnecessary but the coming attractions( live or made to appear live -fooled me ) was awesome. However, I am one of the few peopel who can say that i heard the original the first time told ny the "Shep' on NYC WOR radio on Christmas eve 1959 ( or so) and then read the book ( In God We Trust All Others Pay Cash" --like JamesBond- first published in Playboy Magazine ), long before the movie . Two years ago I saw the PLAY off-broadway. Only true Jean Shepherd fans/followers realized how much is lost at evey new levelwhile perhaps adding something new-- like music ,or as in this live TV production some political correct stuff. Hiowever, while I can't remember 1959 so well ( it was 250,000 miles of air travel ago ) Schwartz was in fact a Jewish family so those new additiions may well be more valid than the movie. It is hard to please the young today or capture their attention , but I do hope i will not live to see" A Christmas Story- the Video Game".

But this was by far the worst. Many remakes of classical movies have been made and did very well. This on the other hand had scenes that never took place or were far off from the actually movie. Can't call yourself the Christmas story live if you don't plan on being somewhat clos to resembling the actual classic movie. The acting was mediocre at best and the so called singing could of used some professional help. Very disappointed and do not recommend anyone watching this. The production crew should be fired and never allowed to produce anything ever again.

I don't why this has gotten so negatively received, I absolutely loved it. I loved the musical numbers, the actors, the set design.