Original Christmas Story Star Peter Billingsley to Produce a Musical of the Hit Holiday Film

Peter Billingsley, who played Red Ryder BB Gun obsessed nine-year-old Ralphie Parker in A Christmas Story, has signed on as executive producer of a new musical version of the holiday film, according to The Hollywood Reporter. A Christmas Story: The Musical! will begin December 3 at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, with an official opening scheduled for December 9. The show features an original score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, a book by Joseph Robinette and direction by Eric Rosen.

"A Christmas Story has always meant a lot to me personally,” said Billingsley, “I’m excited to bring this film to the stage because the story and the characters lend themselves so well to the world of musicals.”

The show is Billingsley’s first foray into the theater, but he has produced such films as The Break Up, Iron Man and Four Christmases, and recently made his feature-length directorial debut on Couples Retreat starring Vince Vaughn.

"I am honored to be a part of this project and look forward to bringing the play to more stages," said Billingsley. "Just think about the idea of a leg-lamp kickline."