The Athens Theatre in DeLand will stage A Christmas Story, The Musical from Friday, Nov. 20, through Sunday, Dec. 13, according to the theatre's event listing. The production adapts the 1983 holiday film, with local performers and several related events and promotions scheduled during the run.
A Preservation Project in the Theatre's History
The National Park Service lists an Athens Theatre historic-preservation tax-credit project in DeLand totaling $10,906,067 and completed in 2010, according to the U.S. National Park Service.
Restoration and Historic Tax Credits
The Athens Theatre's timeline says the venue reopened on Jan. 6, 2009, after restoration, a milestone preceding the project completion date in the National Park Service listing. The records cited here do not specify which restoration work was done or which historic features were retained; the NPS listing identifies the project total and its 2010 completion. As general program context, the National Park Service says the federal Historic Tax Credit provides a 20% credit for qualifying substantial rehabilitation of historic buildings in income-producing use, provided their historic character is maintained.
A 9-Year-Old's Dream Gift Takes Center Stage
Set in 1940s Indiana, the musical follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker as he tries to persuade the adults around him that a Red Ryder BB gun is the Christmas gift he wants, despite their warnings that he will shoot his eye out. The Athens Theatre describes Ralphie's dream as the official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle, according to its event listing.
Callahan Taylor plays Ralphie, and Paul Lance is Jean Shepherd, the show's narrator, The West Volusia Beacon reported. Beth Ann Stripling plays Mother, Jeremy Hudson plays The Old Man, and Peyton Siciliano plays Randy. Joseph Robinette wrote the book; Benj Pasek and Justin Paul wrote the music and lyrics, according to Dramatic Publishing.
Behind the Scenes and Opening-Night Festivities
Laura Mansoori directs and choreographs the production; Lauren Stromak is assistant director and choreographer, and Chris Endsley is music director, The West Volusia Beacon reported. The theatre's opening-night program on Nov. 20 includes a Major Award: Most Outrageous Leg Contest. The Beacon reported that the winner will receive a 5-foot-tall trophy with a glowing leg lamp, made with Trophy Factory Plus Framing, and two complimentary tickets to any show in the Athens Theatre's 2026-27 season.
Opening-night guests will also be treated to a complimentary champagne toast, according to the same account. The cast is set to celebrate at an opening-night party at The Elusive Grape immediately following the performance.
Golden Tickets Hidden in Chocolate Bars
The theatre is also participating in West Volusia Tourism's Cool Craft Christmas. Its bar menu includes the Triple Dog Dare, a cranberry-pomegranate mule made with vodka, fresh lime, spicy ginger beer, dried lime, mint and cranberries. For opening night, guests will receive a complimentary champagne toast, and the cast is scheduled to gather at The Elusive Grape after the performance, according to The West Volusia Beacon.
Accessible Performances and Ticket Details
For patrons seeking accessible performances, the theatre has scheduled an audio-described show at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and an ASL/English-interpreted performance at 2:30 p.m. the following day, Sunday, Dec. 6, per a report from the Athens Theatre. The listing also notes that because the historic building has no elevator, the balcony is not accessible to anyone using a wheelchair or walker.
Access and Historic-Building Guidance
The theatre's listing notes that its historic building has no elevator and that the balcony is not accessible to patrons using a wheelchair or walker. The National Park Service's general guidance for historic properties calls for pursuing a high level of accessibility without compromising significant features or the property's overall character; it is not an assessment of Athens Theatre.
Preferred tickets are priced at $38, with student and child tickets at $12 and group rates of $26 for parties of eight or more, per the theatre's listing. The Athens Theatre is located at 124 N. Florida Ave. in downtown DeLand, and tickets can be purchased online, in person, or by calling the box office at 386-736-1500. The box office is open 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, as well as 90 minutes before each performance.
