Skyscapes – December 16th

I like how, near sunset, there are layers of clouds over to the west that are making the lower band of clouds in the lower right be in their shadow, causing it to be darker than the still brightly lit cloud bands above it.

Contrasts, For The Win! They keep the world from being bland and boring.

A week ago we were at “A Christmas Story – The Musical” at the Ahmanson. You know the story, it’s been 40 years since the movie came out and these days there are multiple cable channels that show it 24 hours a day for a day or two around Christmas weekend. Ralphie, the BB gun he wants, the bullies at school, his friend who gets his tongue stuck to the flagpole, his dad swearing at the balky furnace, the “glowing sex” leg lamp that dad wins as a major prize in a sweepstakes, everyone telling him “you’ll shoot your eye out!” A dozen other gags and scenes that are legendary, all rolled into one.

At the intermission, a woman sitting with a group of friends in the row in front of us, got up and left. She was upset and couldn’t stay for the second act of a production that celebrated giving a child a gun. She didn’t make a big scene, but she was quite emphatic to her friends about her objections and clear that she would NOT. BE. BACK.

I have questions…

I can, in theory, understand her objection, even if I don’t necessarily agree with it. We definitely live in different times than when the movie was made, and MUCH different times that the era (early 1950’s) that was portrayed in the story.

But how in the world can ANYONE come in to this production and not be at least passingly familiar with the fundamental plot line?

I’m not saying that everyone there needs to be able to quote every line in the movie, especially their favorites (“Daddy’s going to kill Ralphie!” in case anyone was wondering), but to be a member of this society in the last forty years and be totally unfamiliar with “A Christmas Story,” or to be unable to figure out that “A Christmas Story – The Musical” was related to it?

(She probably wouldn’t get this one either!)