Desert Stages Theatre in Scottsdale Fashion Square, 7014 E. Camelback Road, announces a return to live theatre with the opening of its traditional holiday production of A CHRISTMAS STORY THE PLAY.

Directed by Valley actor KatiBelle Collins, DST's production is based on the humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoir of growing up in the midwest in the 1940s and follows nine-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest for a genuine Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas.

After Ralphie pleads his case to his mother, teacher and even Santa Claus at Higbee’s Department Store, the famous response is made: “You’ll shoot your eye out!”

All the elements, according to a press release, from the motion picture will be featured, including the family’s temperamental exploding furnace;  Scut Farkas, the school bully and the boys’ experiment with a wet tongue on a cold lamppost; as well as Ralphie’s father winning a lamp shaped like a woman’s leg in a net stocking and more.

Ms. Collins, originally from Minneapolis, has played such roles as Mama Rose in Gypsy, Abby Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace, Grandma Kurnitz in Lost in Yonkers, and Hannah in Angels in America, the release said.

The director, who won a Zoni award for her portrayal of Aunt Eller in Oklahoma, has even directed such shows as Dixie Swim Club, Plaza Suite, Broadway Bound, and The Fantasticks.

List of A CHRISTMAS STORY THE PLAY cast:

• Adult Ralph - Bobby Havens
• Ralphie Parker - Charlie Budd
• Mother - Annemarie Mulligan
• The Old Man - Roy Thielen
• Randy - Grady Mulligan
• Miss Shields - Lynn Golden

A CHRISTMAS STORY THE PLAY, with its combination of nostalgia and humor, is a two-hour family-friendly show, according to the release.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays with matiness at 3 p.m. on Sundays,  scheduled  Nov 27 through Dec 20.

For the safety of audiences and actors, masks are required at Desert Stages and hand-washing is encouraged. Enhanced cleaning, sanitizing practices are in place, the release noted.

Less than 50% of seats will be sold for each performance. All tickets are $25. No cash sales, only touchless debit or credit card payments will be accepted.

Desert Stages Theatre – award-winning, non-profit performing arts theatre established in 1995 – has grown to offer more than 250 shows throughout the year with 10 adult productions and up to eight youth productions.

DST has  a mission to provide quality entertainment for the community and an educational experience for youths interested in the arts.

Tickets are available by calling the DST Box Office at 480-483-1664 or by visiting desertstages.org.