What would the holiday season be without talk of the BB gun, a frozen tongue, and the leg lamp from “A Christmas Story,” a 1983 film based on Jean Shephard’s story? Jason Wilks of West Windsor, who has seen the family comedy often, never imagined he would be playing the role of Ralphie on stage.
Pennington Players will usher in the holiday season with the slightly-twisted “A Christmas Story,” at Kelsey Theater from Friday, November 27, to Sunday, December 6. An opening night reception with the cast and crew follows the November 27 performance. West Windsor actors also include Taylor Hoogsteden as Esther Jane; and Stephen Szemis as Flick.
Set in a Midwestern American town during the 1940s, the story follows nine-year-old Ralphie Parker as he dreams of his ideal gift for Christmas, a Red Ryder BB gun. As Ralphie wages an all-out campaign to convince his reluctant parents to buy it for him, the audience will enjoy the Parker’s family whimsical journey through the holiday season — from Father Parker’s prized leg lamp, to Ralphie’s retaliation against the neighborhood bully, and to little brother Randy in a bunny suit.
“Theater is my passion,” says Jason, a sixth grader at Grover Middle School. “I plan to make myself a career in acting and the arts.” His training includes Tomato Patch Camp, Green Apple Camp, J.W. Actors Studio (acting, film, and commercial workshops); Kelsey Theater’s Master Class workshops; and Arts Youniversity (jazz, tap, and modern dance).
Jason, who has also been in musicals, does not consider himself a triple threat — yet. “Acting is my favorite,” he says. Past productions include Allies “Through Our Eyes,” both at Kelsey Theater and Central Park; Yardley Players’ “Rumpelstiltskin Is My Name” in the role of The Jester; and Tomato Patch performances including short acts of “Harry Potter,” “The Ugly Duckling,” and “Tuck Everlasting.” At Village Elementary School he portrayed the lead role of the wolf in “One Fine Day.”
“The show has similar elements to the film but the characters are interpreted by the actors on stage. “The director (Kitty Getlik) told us what she was looking for and asked us not to copy the actors in the movie. “
At Grover Middle School, Jason takes study hall instead of music to get his homework done — important especially when he has rehearsals and auditions in the evening. At Grover he is involved in Project Pride, a community service organization involved in clothing drives and gift wrapping to help out others.
His father, Scott, is a banker at HSBC Bank in New York City. His mother, Stephanie Schwartz, teaches English at Mercer College. His brother, Zachary, 14, a freshman at High School South, plays the electric bass. The family moved from Queens to West Windsor 14 years ago when Scott worked in Princeton. Jason was born in New Jersey. “He came up with a love of the theater on his own,” says his mother. “His interest has renewed my interest in theater. I was raised in New York City but did not take full advantage of it and only saw a couple of shows a year.”
Jason, who enjoys going to the theater in New York and Philadelphia, has seen “The Lion King,” “Wicked,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” and “The Toxic Avenger.” He also enjoys shows at Kelsey because “It’s fun to see people you know and recognize on stage.”
A Christmas Story, Kelsey Theater, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. 609-570-3333. www.kelseytheatre.net. $14.
Patrons may drop off donations for the “Toys for Tots” holiday gift drive in the theatre lobby through December 21. Audience members have a chance to win the leg lamp — the winner will be drawn after the final show on Sunday, December 6 and does not need to be present to win.
