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Wednesday, November 20, 2013 — The Weekender
On the Cover
‘A Christmas Story’ opens Nov. 22 at the Beekay Theatre BY MONICA NADON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Tehachapi Community Theatre’s production of "A Christmas Story" opens this Friday, Nov. 22, at the beautiful Beekay Theatre. The play, written by Philip Grecian, is based on the well-known movie of the same name, which in turn is based on the memoirs of humorist Jean Shepherd of growing up in the Midwest in the 1940s. The story follows 9-yearold Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder 200-Shot Carbine Action Range Model Air Rifle for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself with the oft repeated response being: "You’ll shoot your eye out." The play closely follows the beloved motion picture including such scenes as the family’s temperamental exploding furnace; Scut Farkas, the school bully; the Little Orphan
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MONICA NADON
Heather Simmons rehearses playing Miss Shields, for Tehachapi Community Theater’s version of “A Christmas Story.” This show runs from Nov. 22 until Dec. 15 at the Beekay Theater, 110 S. Green St. Call 822-4037 for more information. Annie decoder pin; Ralphie’s fantasy scenarios and more.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF KENNY CHUGG
Ava Daniels as Ralphie and Kaitlyn Barcelona as Ester Jane in one of Ralphie's fantasy scenarios.
A focal point of the story is a lamp shaped like a woman’s leg which Ralpie’s father wins in a contest. A replica of the famous lamp was purchased to use as a prop in the play. Drawing tickets may be purchased during the show’s intermissions for a chance to win the lamp after the final performance. This family-friendly play runs the weekend of Thanksgiving, which makes a great outing for family and friends visiting from out of town. Don’t wait, get your tickets early as those performances fill up fast. Performance dates are
Friday and Saturday nights, Nov. 22, 23, 29, 30, Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees are Dec. 1, 8 and 15 at 2 p.m. Performances are held at the BeeKay Theatre located at 110 S. Green Street. Tickets cost $15 and may be purchased online at tctonstage.com, Picture Perfect-Stamps of Approval, 112 E. Tehachapi Blvd., Ste. A, Tehachapi Furniture, 20346 W. Valley Blvd., or Johnny’s Take n’ Bake, 807 Tucker Road. For more information, please visit TCT’s website at tctonstage.com or call the TCT message line at 822-4037.
Tehachapi pops orchestra to perform Holiday Concert The Bear Valley Springs Cultural Arts Association’s holiday concert will again be presented on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m., at the Whiting Center, 26940 Bear Valley Road. The Tehachapi Pops Orchestra (TPOPs) will be performing holiday musical scores, and accompanying the audience during sing alongs. The TPOP’s conductor this year
will be the popular band teacher, from Bakersfield’s Mira Monte High School, Daniel Musquez. Adults are asked for a $5 donation and children under 12 are invited at no charge. The whole family is welcomed and Santa will stop by for a visit. Light refreshments will also be served. For information and for BVS gate passes call 821-3534.