Saturday, September 12, 2026
66.0°F

Masquers names 'A Christmas Story' cast

CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 11 months AGO
by CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | October 13, 2017 3:00 AM

SOAP LAKE — The Masquers Theater will present “A Christmas Story: The Musical” opening Nov. 17, with performances weekends through Dec.17. Directors Stacey and Clifford Bresee announced the cast this week.

The theater is located at 322 East Main Ave., Soap Lake.

The musical is based on the 1983 movie about Ralphie and his brother Randy, his Old Man, his Mom and the ups and downs of the life of a kid in the late-1940s Midwest. The movie didn’t do well at the time it was released, but it has since become a classic.

It’s almost Christmas and Ralphie is desperately seeking a way to get the Holy Grail of gifts, a Red Ryder BB gun. But along with the struggle to be good enough to catch Santa’s eye, Ralphie and his buddies Flick and Schwartz must navigate the treacherous waters of Warren G. Harding Elementary. And in the meantime the Old Man and Mom are engaged in the epic Battle of the Lamp.

The movie was based on the memoir of writer Jean Shepherd, who was the narrator. In the Masquers production the narrator is voiced by Evan Sperline.

Cody Stutzman plays Ralphie; Justin Rowland was cast as the Old Man. Holly Peterson will play Mom. Calvin Becker plays Randy.

Flick and Schwartz are played by Ryan Smith and Carson Raybon. Teacher Miss Shields will be played by Jessica Hogge.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. There is no show the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Auditions for the company’s production of “Barefoot in the Park” are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11 at the theater. “Parts are available for adults ages 18 to 80,” according to the audition announcement. Audition materials will be provided.

“No experience necessary, but make sure to bring a great attitude,” the announcement read. Rowland will direct the Masquers production, which opens in February.

“Barefoot in the Park” is a Neil Simon classic and premiered on Broadway in 1963. It’s the story of newlyweds, a happy-go-lucky girl and her more reserved husband. In the half-century since its premiere, the play has been revived, adapted and become a favorite of theater companies.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].

ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Road construction projects starting to wrap up
September 11, 2026 1:05 a.m.

Road construction projects starting to wrap up

QUINCY — Labor Day is in the rear-view mirror, school is back in session, football season is here, and the road construction season is in the home stretch. Some projects are wrapping up, some will continue through the end of October, and some will just keep going until they're done.

No injuries when plane attempts to land at Moses Lake Sand Dunes
September 10, 2026 11:30 a.m.

No injuries when plane attempts to land at Moses Lake Sand Dunes

MOSES LAKE — No injuries were reported when a small plane attempted to land at the Moses Lake Sand Dunes early Wednesday evening. Ty Svancara, 24, Moses Lake, was the only occupant of the Piper PA-18-150, and was not injured, said Kyle Foreman, public information officer for the Grant County Sheriff's Office.

Research recommended before buying new windows
September 11, 2026 1:45 a.m.

Research recommended before buying new windows

MOSES LAKE — New windows are a big investment for any homeowner. Justin Vanerstrom, owner of Al's Glass in Moses Lake, said that being the case, it pays for a homeowner to do some research first.