SPRING VALLEY – The Spring Valley Stagehands presentation of “A Christmas Story” will be a humorous and family friendly way to enjoy the holiday season. Directed at the Spring Valley Theatre by Mary Anderson and Liz Erickson, the play is based on the motion picture “A Christmas Story,” © 1983 Turner Entertainment Co., distributed by Warner Bros., written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark; and based on the book “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash,” by Jean Shepherd.

As noted by the directors, “The great thing about live theater is that each production of a play is unique, with different actors, different set design, and different audiences.”

And it doesn’t just happen. “Bringing the story alive involves more people than just the actors. Set builders Wyatt and Finn Anderson, Liz and Jack Erickson, and Ann and Carter Turner use their creative talents to set the scene by building a home, fashioning a car, or crafting a safe, secure slide or a hidden school room. Jae Anderson makes it into a cozy home with wallpaper, paint and set dressings,” they said.

All of this comes together, along with the talented actors portraying their characters, to bring the Parker family’s “Christmas Story” to life. The Parkers of Hohmen, Ind., make it a family tradition to go and pick out their tree, buy their Christmas turkey, and visit Santa at Higbee’s department store. Why not make your own family tradition of attending a Christmas play at the Spring Valley Stagehands Theater?

Performance dates are Dec. 8, 9, 10, 15 and 16 at 7 p.m.; with matinee dates on Dec. 11, 17 and 18 at 2 p.m. All performances will be held at the Spring Valley Theatre. Tickets can be reserved online at svstagehands.org

Submitted by Lori Peterson, Spring Valley Stagehands