“A Christmas Story” at Amelia Earhart Theater, USAG Wiesbaden (Vincent Vielma)

Can Ralphie convince his mother, his old man, his teacher and especially Santa to fulfill his one Christmas wish?

Directed by Elizabeth Evans, “A Christmas Story” is a seasonal favorite movie come to life. Performed at the intimate Amelia Earhart Playhouse in Wiesbaden, this comedy is not to be missed and offers plenty of performance times through the holiday season and new year.

The play and original movie are based on select chapters within the book “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash” by Jean Shepard. Adult Ralph, played by Stewart Williams, narrates while reminiscing about that special Christmas. We get to enjoy watching his younger self Ralphie, played by Tyler Kimball, and his gang of school friends as they navigate school life and Christmas dreams in the 1940s Midwest.

The performers shine when acting out Ralphie’s over-the-top imagination. We can’t help laughing as poor Ralphie, feeling betrayed by a C+ grade on his Christmas theme paper, visualizes his teacher Miss Shields (play by Sarah Nieman) as an evil witch. The actors excel at conveying the hysterical inner workings of a kid’s mind.

The production set also helps move the story along from one space to another as Ralphie and his friends head to and from school. From Miss Shield’s classroom to the playground, it’s all there. And, yes, Flick gets his tongue stuck to a pole! Back home, the main house set is absolutely gorgeous, and combined with the costumes, we are fully transported back to the 1940s.

“A Christmas Story” at Amelia Earhart Theater, USAG Wiesbaden (Destinee Macaulay)

Truly, the entire funny cast is what makes this play shine. Between laughing at all the school kids who double as hound dogs and watching the talented adults who appear as a child might see them, we are always aware that Ralph is telling this story. The comedic nostalgia is ever present, and no one epitomizes that better than The Old Man. Ralphie’s dad, played by Eric Hodeen, has an admirable vintage quality and fix-it attitude. Another stand-out is Eric James Hodeen, whose energy comes across in no less than five characters.

Time and time again, Ralphie hears, “You’ll shoot your eye out kid,” but that doesn’t stop him from asking for his dream gift. In the end… well, no spoilers here. But, I will say that the buildup to this comedic climax is excellent and Ralphie’s reaction is priceless.

Cast of “A Christmas Story” at Amelia Earhart Theater, USAG Wiesbaden (Katie Burrell)

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“A Christmas Story” at Amelia Earhart Theater, USAG Wiesbaden (Amelia Earhart Playhouse)