Show Guide
THEATRE IS FOR everyone!
We are excited to welcome you to Sugden Community Theatre, home of The Naples Players, where it is our mission to build community through exceptional access to the power of theatre.
In our service of making theatre more accessible, our Arts Access department has created this Show Guides to help visitors become familiar with our facility and the show. This guide will take you step by step through the experience of seeing our current production, 42nd Street. In this guide you will find:
Page 2....... Arts Access Concierge
Page 3....... TNP: A social narrative
Page 8....... About the Show
Page 9........Character List
Page 11...... Song List
Page 12...... Location Guide
Page 13...... Sensory-Friendly Plot Guide Key
Page 14...... Sensory-Friendly Plot Guide - Act 1
Page 20...... Sensory-Friendly Plot Guide - Act 2
Page 26...... After the Show - A Talk Back
Page 28...... 2024/25 Arts Access Classes
Page 29...... Sensory Booth
Page 30...... TNP Communication Card
ARTS ACCESS CONCIERGE
We have so many accessibility offerings at the Naples Players! Stop by our Patron Services desk and speak to our Arts Access
Concierge to learn about all we have to offer including:
Wheelchair Accessible Seating
Listen Everywhere
Assisted Listening
T-Coil Neck Loops
Headphone Amplified Sound
Sensory Bags
Large Print Backstage Magazines
Braille Backstage Magazines
Sign-Language Interpretation
Social Stories
Social Narrative
Parking Garage
I may travel to the theater in my car.
I can park our car in the Downtown Naples public parking garage located on 4th Avenue and 8th Street.
Main Entrance
I will then walk from the parking garage to the Naples Players theater.
There are steps leading up to the main doors, or I can use the accessible ramps to the right and left of the steps.
Meet the Ushers
As I walk into the building, I will be greeted by an usher. An usher is a friendly volunteer of the theater who I can go to if I need help. I can tell if someone is an usher by what they are wearing or if they have a name tag on. Ushers will be wearing a white shirt, black pants, and a blue scarf or tie around their neck.
The usher will scan my ticket when I enter or point me to the Box Office.
The Lobby
The lobby is where I am once I enter the building. It’s like a large waiting room!
Because of this, the lobby is often crowded and noisy with lots of other people I might not know.
In the lobby I can find everything I need during my experience. My first stop once I enter the lobby is the Box Office which will be to the left of the main doors.
Box Office
Everyone must have a ticket to get into the theater.
If I don’t have my tickets printed already, I will pick them up at the box office. I may have to wait in line to get my tickets.
The Access Concierge located at the Box Office Patron Services Desk can help me with any accessibility resources I may need. They have assisted listening devices, Sensory Bags, show guides, and more.
Concessions
In the lobby, the concession stand is where I can buy snacks and drinks to have during the show.
I may need to wait in line. When it is my turn, I can use the menu to tell the person behind the counter what I want and hand them the money for it. They will need to scan my ticket first!
Finding My Seat
Now it is time to find my seat. The usher will help me to my assigned seat and give me a Backstage Magazine.
At the Relaxed Shows, my ticket lets me sit anywhere in the theatre I like. I can walk around the theatre until I find the perfect seat, or let the usher help me find one.
Starting the Show
When the show is about to start, the lights will dim.
Someone will then come onstage and make an announcement or an opening video will play. This will tell the audience information about the show and our sponsors.
Watching the Show
It is time for the show to start! I can use the rest of this booklet to help guide me through A Christmas Story. It will teach me about the characters, what I will see onstage, and what happens in the story.
During the show, if I see something that I like or think is funny, I can clap my hands or laugh.
I can use my headphones and fidget tools during the show, if needed. It is okay to move around or leave the theatre if I need to.
The quiet area, or chill zone, is located on the second floor lobby during Relaxed Performances.
About the Show
A Christmas Story: The Musical is based on the iconic Christmas movie by the same name. Set in the 1940s in the fictional town of Hohman, Indiana, the musical follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker and his quest for what he calls the best Christmas gift — an Official Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun. He imagines how the Red Ryder BB Gun would transform his life. He sees himself as the hero saving his teacher, family and friends from all types of villains. Unfortunately everyone tells him, “No kid! You’ll shoot your eye out!” This is a story about a young boy and his many schemes to convince his parents and Santa put a Red Ryder BB Gun under the Christmas tree.
This show runs about 2 hours.
There will be a 15 minute intermission.
ContentReminders:
Presence of gunsonstage
Some mildlanguagethat sounds like cursing
Severalinstances of minor violence andperceived threats to safety
Chorus tap dancing that may be loud to some viewers
Please
Character List
Jean Shepard
The narrator of our story. Quite often he speaks as if he were Ralphie when Ralphie was a young boy..
The Old Man
Ralphie’s Dad. He is a good man, but can come across a bit tough. He wholeheartedly loves his family.
Randy Parker
Ralphie’s 7-year-old younger brother. He looks up to Ralphie and follows him whenever he can.
Scut Farkus
The biggest bully in school. He is a loud teenager who is mean to the other kids around him.
Ralphie Parker
A typical 9 year old boy with a very active imagination. He really wants a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas.
Mother
Ralphie and Randy’s mother. She takes care of the boys and her husband and tries to keep peace and harmony in the family.
Miss Shields
The teacher for Ralphie’s class. She is stern but cares about her students.
Grover
Dill
Farkus’s 9 year old sidekick. He loves tormenting people with Scut Farkus and will always be there to laugh at his mean jokes.
Schwartz
Ralphie’s Friend.
Schwartz is loudspoken and always iup for a dare!
Character List Character CharacterListList
Esther Jane
Fink
Ralphie’s Friend. Fink finds himself in a sticky situation when is tongue gets glued to the flagpole.
Ralphie’s Friend and Classmate
Mary Beth
Santa
The Santa at Higbee’s department store. He is not happy with his job and not nice to the children.
Ralphie’s Friend. and Classmate.
Higbee’s Dept Store Workers
Song List
Song List Song List
Act One Act Two
Overture
It All Comes Down to Christmas
The Parkers, Townspeople
Higbee’s Window
Ralphie, Townspeople
Red Ryder Carbine-Action BB Gun
Ralphie, Jean
The Genius on Cleveland Street
The Old Man, Mother
When You’re a Whimp
Ralphie, Randy, Schwartz, Flick, Students
Ralphie to the Rescue
Ralphie, Townspeople
What a Mother Does Mother
Major Award
The Old Man, Townspeople
Act One Finale
Ralphie, Students, Townspeople
Overture
Sticky Situation
Ralphie, Randy, Schwartz, Flick, Students, Townspeople
To the Nightclub
Farkus, Dill, Schwartz, Flick
You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out
Miss Shields, Students
Just Like That Mother
Up on Santa’s Lap
Santa, Elves, Students, Townspeople
Before The Old Man Comes Home
Ralphie, Randy, Mother, The Old Man
Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana
Ralphie, Randy, Students, Townspeople
Ralphie to the Rescue Reprise
Ralphie, Townspeople
A Christmas Story
The Parkers, Students, Townspeople
The Parker family home Jean Shepard’s Radio Booth
Higbee’s Department Store
Miss Shield’s Classroom
Chop Suey Palace
Sensory Friendly Plot Guide
A Christmas Story is about a young boy and his quest for the perfect Christmas gift– a Red Ryder BB Gun. Through a series of scenes, songs and dances you see Ralphie fantasize about owning the BB gun and how it would make him a hero to his friends and family. This contrasts with his actual life being assigned homework in school, breaking his glasses, dealing with bullies, and everyone telling him that he will shoot his eye out of he has a BB gun! There are many events that happen in the days leading up to Christmas, but will Ralphie ultimately get the Christmas present of his dreams?
The next section of our booklet is a plot guide that uses both simple narrative and scene by scene pictures from the performance to help guide you through and better understand the story. Along with descriptions of key moments, this plot breakdown also includes sensory alerts to notify the audience of sensoryrich components of the show.
Below is a key that shows you the types of alerts present.
Sensory Alert Image Key
Act One
A Salvation Army Santa meets our narrator Jean Shepard as he walks to work. The Santa begs for money for charity.
Jean greets the audience begins to tell us a story of a boy named Ralphie. As he narrates, the story is acted out in front of us. He often refers to Ralphie as himself when he was a boy.
We meet the whole Parker Family as they get ready to go to Higbee’s Department Store to see the window display with all the toys for Christmas. Ralphie’s wish is for a Red Ryder BB Gun.
Musical Number
“It All Comes Down to Christmas”
Time Stamp: 0:04:56
Length: about 6 min
The whole family and townspeople sing about Christmas, as the Parker family drives to Higbees. A large crowd gathers to admire all the toys in the department store window.
Ralphie sees the BB gun in the store window and is convinced more than ever it is the perfect gift. He begins dreaming of what it would be like to own one and what he would use it for.
Musical Number
“Red Ryder Carbine-Action BB Gun”
Time Stamp: 0:7:25
Length: about 7 min
Back at the home, Ralphie’s father is struggling with a cross-word puzzle. He imagines finishing the puzzle and winning a major prize! He wishes to be seen as a genius and admired by all his neighbors as such.
The furnace goes out with a loud bang and Father goes into the basement to fix it. He is very upset and starts yelling.
Musical Number
“Genius on Cleveland Street”
Time Stamp: 0:13:56
Length: about 4 mins
Loud Popping Sound
Time Stamp: 0:17:44
About 20 seconds
To distract her sons, Mother asks Ralphie and Randy what they want for Christmas. When Mother hears that Ralphie wants a gun, she tells him that it’s too dangerous and he will likely shoot his eye out.
When Ralphie and Randy go to school, they get beat up by Farkus and Dill, the school bullies. All the students sing about not standing up to the bullies.
Miss Shields, asks the class to write a theme entitled “What I Want for Christmas.” Ralphie decides if he writes the best theme ever his teacher will be impressed and convince his parents he should get the BB gun.
Musical Number
“When You’re a Whimp” Violence Onstage
Time Stamp: 0:24:20
Length: about 5 minutes
Ralphie daydreams about his life with the Red Ryder BB Gun. He imagines he is a hero protecting Miss Shields from danger and foiling a bank robbery.
Musical Number
“Ralphie to the Rescue” Loud Sound Effects
Violence and gun use onstage
Time Stamp: 0:29:08
Length: about 6 mins
Mother gets everyone ready for dinner and gets Randy to eat. She sings about what it means to be a mother and the little things she does every day to keep her family happy and safe.
Ralphie imagines Miss Shields coming to his home to convince his parents to buy him a BB gun since his essay was so well done.
The Old Man receives a prize. It is a lamp in the shape of a leg! The Old Man is so excited he decides to place his major award in the front window. Mother doesn’t like the prize.
He sings about his prize leg lamp and imagines himself at an award show, thanking the audience for this major gift.
Musical Number
“What a Mother Does”
Time Stamp: 0:36:28
Length: about 3 min
Musical Number
“Major Award”
Time Stamp: 0:46:30
Length: about 9 min
The Parker family goes to pick out their Christmas tree. Their car gets a flat tire and Ralphie helps his father change the tire. While helping his dad, Ralphie drops the car parts and yells out a bad word.
Ralphie is punished for using bad language – his Mother washes his mouth out with soap and demands he tell her where he heard this bad word. Ralphie cannot say he heard it from his Father so he accuses his friend Schwartz.
With Ralphie in trouble, he knows his chances of getting his beloved BB gun for Christmas are likely over.
Musical Number “Act One Finale”
Time Stamp: 01:03:36
Length: about 2 min
Intermission
Now there will be a break! In theatre, this break is called an intermission. It allows the actors to get ready for the next part of the show. The intermission is 15 minutes long.
I can stay seated during intermission or go back into the lobby where I can use the bathrooms, get a snack, or visit the ‘chill zone.’
I will hear a chime and overhead announcement in the lobby that is telling me the show will start soon and I should make my way back to my seat.
If I have any questions I can find an usher to help me.
Act Two
Schwartz double-dogdares Flick to stick his tongue to a frozen flagpole. The students leave him there and go back to class, singing “Sticky Situation”
Miss Shields notices Flick is not in the class and demands to know where he is. No one wants to squeal. Flick gets rescued by the Police and a Doctor.
Musical Number
“Sticky Situation”
Time Stamp: 0:01:53
Length: about 3 min
Ralphie gets a C+ on his written theme. Ralphie imagines they are all in a gangster fantasy and everyone is teasing him that he won’t get the Red Ryder BB gun because he will shoot his eye out.
Musical Number
“You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out”
Loud Tap Dance
Time Stamp: 0:07:38
Length: about 7 min
Ralphie is back to reality and on his way home from school. Farcus and Dill bully him and Ralphie fights back. The other kids cheer Ralphie on for finally standing up to the bully.
Ralphie is back at home and worried about his punishment after fighting the bullies. Mother comforts him. She sings about how moments like this eventually pass and everything turns out okay.
We meet the Elves and other workers of Higbee’s Department store. They are all tired of all the screaming little kids coming to visit Santa. This mall Santa is not very nice.
It is the Parkers’ turn to meet with Santa. Randy runs away screaming. Ralphie panics. He eventually tells Santa he wants the Red Ryder BB Gun, but Santa tells him “No, kid – you shoot your eye out!”
Violence Onstage
Time Stamp: 0:15:28
Length: about 1 min
Musical Number
“Just Like That”
Time Stamp: 0:17:29
Length: about 3 min
Musical Number
“Up On Santa’s Lap” Loud Screams
Time Stamp: 0:22:44
Length: about 5 min
Back at home, on Christmas Eve, the leg lamp breaks. The Old Man is angry and blames Mother. They get into a big fight and Mother leaves.
Ralphie and Randy try to put the lamp back together and finish dinner, hoping they can do anything to cheer their parents up.
The Old Man tries to put the lamp together but fails. When Mother returns, they apologize to each other.
Ralphie and Randy try to sleep, but are so excited for Christmas morning the next day. The kids in town sing about Santa coming to Indiana.
Musical Number
“Before the Old Man Comes Home”
Time Stamp: 0:31:27
Length: about 3.5 min
Musical Number “Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana”
Actors in the Audience
Time Stamp: 0:36:58
Length: about 3.5 min
Christmas morning is here! The Parkers open presents. Ralphie gets a pink bunny suit from his aunt but doesn’t like it.
But wait! Father spies one last gift hidden in the kitchen and it’s for Ralphie. It’s the Red Ryder BB Gun!
Ralphie plays with the gun outside. While playing, he accidentally shoots and breaks his glasses. He almost shot his eye out!
Ralphie is nervous to tell his parents the truth, so he blames his glasses breaking on an icicle falling.
Musical Number
“Ralphie to the Rescue Reprise”
Sound Effect - Gun Shot
Time Stamp: 0:45:26
Length: about 2 min
The fuse goes out! While the Old Man tries to fix it, The backdoor gets left open and the Bupus hounds get in the house and steal the turkey.
Christmas dinner is ruined.
The Parker family goes out to eat Chinese food for Christmas. They share a duck for dinner, which they call Chinese turkey.
With a family meal done, the Parkers sing about what a great Christmas Story this turned out to be.
Jean Snyder, the narrator of our story, reminds us that while the BB gun was Ralphie’s perfect present, it was even more perfect knowing his dad bought it just for him, out of love.
Sound Effect Popping Sound and Blackout
Time Stamp: 0:47:42
Musical Number
“Christmas Story”
Time Stamp: 00:51:30
Length: about 6 min
End of Show
At the end of the show the stage lights will turn off and the actors will come back onstage to take a bow.
Clapping tells the actors I liked their show. If I want to clap, I can. Others in the theater will be clapping too so it may get noisy.
Leaving
It is time to leave! I always check that I have all my belongings before I leave my seat.
I exit the theatre into the lobby. The lobby can be crowded after the show.
If I borrowed a sensory bag or listening device from the box office I make sure to return it on my way out.
After the Show: A Talkback
As you go home and talk about the show you saw, here are some questions to think about and keep the conversation going!
Did you enjoy the show? What was your favorite part?
Did you ever want something as much as Ralphie wanted the Red Ryder BB Gun? What did you do to try to get it? Did you get it? If so, did it make you as happy as you imagined?
This story occurred almost 100 years ago. How do you think things may have been different then than they are now?
What actions does Ralphie’s mother take to keep peace in the family?
Are Ralphie and his father (The Old Man) alike in any way? How? Did Ralphie’s Christmas Story teach you anything?
INCLUSIVE CLASSES
AGES 13+
TUESDAYS AT 5 PM
JAN 14 - APRIL 8, 2025
AGES 8-12 and 13+
FRIDAYS AT 5 PM
JAN 17 - APRIL 11, 2025
AGES 12+ MON-FRI, 2 WEEKS COMING SUMMER 2025
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE! LEARN
RELAXED PERFORMANCES
Our Relaxed Performances are slightly modified and made to be less overwhelming and more welcoming, offering a non-judgmental space for all members of the community to view live theatre.
At this performance there will be:
More consistent audio levels and reduction of jarring visual effects
Limited tickets sold to ensure lessened crowds and comfortability
Audience members are permitted to enter and exit the theatre as needed
Additional resources provided and trained staff present
A designated ‘chill zone’ for audience members who need to leave the theatre for any reason
DECEMBER 14, 2024 SATURDAY AT 2PM JANUARY 28, 2025 TUESDAY AT 7:30PM
TICKETS only $10 when you book ahead - $15 at the door
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
CALL OR VISIT US ONLINE AT NAPLESPLAYERS.ORG/RELAXED-PERFORMANCES OR CONTACT SUMMER PLISKOW AT SPLISKOW@NAPLESPLAYERS.ORG
Patti Hepburn & the STEP Fund
Sensory Room
The Kizzie Theater features a brand-new sensory-friendly booth for individuals and families with sensory processing disorders or who require additional accommodational needs to enjoy every performance at The Naples Players. Special accommodations include…
A private entrance with an elevator for limited crowd interaction
Adjustable lighting and sound
The ability to tint the window of the booth to reduce the impact of strobe lighting
No audience participation, or actors in the aisle
Patrons are free to talk and leave their seats during the performance for standing and movement
Wheelchair accessibility
Tactile and sensory seating and engagements available
INTERESTED IN CLASSES?
Call or visit the Box Office to learn more.
