On Saturday, I finally made it out to see "A Christmas Story" produced on stage at Theater at the Center in Munster. It only runs until Dec. 17, but it could certainly go on for a much longer run judging by the fan base and audience. If you can manage to find a stray seat or two (and believe it or not, there are still a couple left, here and there, I'm told), take some time to see what is some great staging and performances that will leave you both smiling and laughing. I'm amazed that so many young performers can be so believable and accomplished, from remembering lines to facial expressions and on-stage chemistry. Director Charles Gessert has a winning team. Our own Hammond-born and -raised writing and broadcast legend Jean Shepherd would be pleased to see his characters brought to life with such brilliance and holiday warmth. (And from everything I've ever been told, Shep was not always an easy man to please.) "A Christmas Story," as it's done on stage, really does mirror the 1983 movie of the same name, when it comes to plot, staging and characters. The story of little Ralphie Parker's aim during the holidays to get Santa to bring him the fabled Red Ryder BB gun of his dreams translates smoothly to the stage, especially with the fantastic 1940s set and scenery created by Ann Davis. Janice Pytel, who did the folksy and fun costuming (including that cumbersome snowsuit Ralphie's little brother Randy must endure) and lighting guy Carl Ulaszek provide the zest and seasoning that also helps the story work so well. Actress Mary Ernster plays Ralphie's mom with sweet sentiment, while John Reeger has the household's leg-lamp toting "Old Man" down cold. But my favorites from this show are hands-down Matt Gerhardt of Crown Point, as little bespeckled Ralphie, subtle, humorous and whiny Blake Spillers of Valparaiso as little brother Randy and actress Liz Pazik as the firm and funny Miss Shields, the school teacher who hits home with every audience member. Tickets are $32 to $35. To check for any remaining seats, call (219) 836-3255 or visit www.theatreatthecenter.org. Here are few tidbits from the classic film to consider now that it's time for the annual holiday marathon showing: * Shepherd, who died in a hospital near his home in Sanibel Island, Fla,. at age 78 in 1999, not only served as the voice narrator for the 1983 film, but also can be seen in a cameo role as the irate father who grumbles at Ralphie while standing in line with wife and child waiting to see the department story Santa. * While working on the screenplay, at times, Shepherd and film director Bob Clark worried some of the subject matter would be too dated, such as Ralphie's being a fan of Little Orphan Annie and Ovaltine, while eagerly trying to earn a secret decoder ring. Shepherd was a fan of "Little Orphan Annie" and its cartoonist creator Harold Gray, who was from Kankakee, Ill. Gray died of cancer in 1968. * Shepherd's brother in real life is named Randy, the same as Ralphie's little brother in the film. In 1959 Randy Shepherd, a neighborhood milkman, married Dorothy Paulsin, mother of another region-roots celebrity, Georgette Mosbacher, the cosmetics maven and former society wife of former U.S. Commerce Secretary Robert Mosbacher. * When interviewed about what it was like to work with Shepherd during the making of the movie, the now-grown actors who played the main roles of the children in the film mostly admit they have little recollection of Shep, other than this "kinda grouchy old guy hanging around the set." Legs and lamps At the request of readers looking for the best selection of "A Christmas Story" merchandise, our own Indiana Historical Society's gift shop called Basile History Market in Indianapolis is your best bet. Publicist Amy Lamb contacted me Monday with an updated list of products and prices. She noted that while people can place orders by phone (shipping and handling fees would apply), this merchandise is NOT available through the Web site right now, with the exception of books. (317) 234-0026 or www.indianahistory.org. * Full size leg lamp - $210 * Nite Lite leg lamp - $7.95 * Wall Clock - $30.95 * Light-up leg lamp snow globe - $50.95 * Decorative light strand - $24.95 * 2-deck playing cards set - $9.95 * "A Christmas Story: The Board Game" - $30 * Stein mug - $14.95 * "Ralphie" head knocker (bobbing head) - $14.95 * "The Old Man" with leg lamp head knocker - $14.95 * 12-inch "The Old Man" with leg lamp push-button sound figure - $24.95 * 10-inch "Ralphie" with tiny BB gun and small soap bar push-button sound figure - $24.95 * Small "Mom" and "Randy" figurine set - $12.95 * Regular movie DVD - $19.98 * 2-disc Special Edition DVD - $29.95 * "A Christmas Story" hardcover book by Jean Shepherd - $14.95