Bloomington, Indiana – This December, Bloomington audiences are in for a festive treat as Constellation Stage & Screen transforms the historic Waldron Arts Center into a dazzling Winter Wonderland filled with music, laughter, and holiday cheer. The beloved local theater company is doubling the magic this season with not one, but two very different holiday productions — the heartwarming A Christmas Story the Musical and the hilariously irreverent An Act of God. Alongside these shows, the Waldron will come alive with twinkling lights, a bustling holiday market, and enough seasonal spirit to thaw even the iciest of hearts.
From December 5 through the end of the month, visitors to the Waldron Arts Center will experience a transformation unlike anything the venue has seen before. The lobby and hallways will overflow with lights, garlands, and festive displays. Families can sip hot cocoa from a free cocoa bar, children can craft holiday keepsakes, and visitors can shop for handmade gifts from local artisans at Constellation’s first-ever Holiday Market. With art, music, and laughter filling every corner, the Waldron will truly become the beating heart of Bloomington’s holiday celebrations.
A Holiday Classic Returns to the Stage
The first of Constellation’s December offerings, A Christmas Story the Musical, opens on December 11 and runs through January 4 in the Waldron Auditorium. Adapted from the 1983 movie that became a Christmas staple, the musical follows young Ralphie Parker on his desperate mission to convince his parents, teacher, and even Santa Claus that the perfect Christmas gift is none other than a Red Ryder BB gun. Fans of the original film will recognize all the beloved moments — from the leg lamp to the pink bunny suit and the unforgettable triple-dog-dare.
Featuring music from the songwriting duo behind Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land, and The Greatest Showman, this production combines nostalgia with lively choreography, humor, and heart. It’s a joyful celebration of family, childhood dreams, and the chaos that makes the holidays memorable.
Constellation’s production features a remarkable blend of local talent and professional actors from around Indiana and beyond. Sharing the role of Ralphie are two young stars: Harvey Baggetta, a sixth grader from Bloomington Montessori School who previously appeared in The Wizard of Oz, and Kyston Zeller, also in sixth grade and making his Constellation debut. Playing the rest of the Parker family are Scott Russell (Maple and Vine) as The Old Man, Cassandra Simons in her Constellation debut as Mother, and young actors Augustine “Gus” Miles and Claire Lucas as Ralphie’s little brother Randy.
Joining the family onstage are familiar Bloomington favorites Ronnie Johnstone (Holmes & Watson, The Wizard of Oz) as the story’s narrator Jean, and Lucy Ferguson (Matilda, The Wizard of Oz) as Miss Shields. The adult ensemble includes Seth Jacobsen, Adia Dant, Caroline Jensen, Daniel J. Neville II, Hayes Ray, and Anna Shea Safran. Swings and understudies for the show include Jake Decker, Lauren Alyssa Strick, and Steve Scott.
Adding an extra layer of community connection, the production features two youth ensembles — “The Red Ryders” and “The Pink Bunnies” — made up of talented students from schools across Bloomington and South-Central Indiana. Together, these young performers bring the chaos, warmth, and wonder of the Parker family’s world to life onstage.
Directing the musical is Richard Roland, head of Indiana University’s Musical Theatre Department and the director behind Constellation’s hit 2022 production of Elf the Musical. He leads a top-tier creative team including Music Director Dr. Brandon Magid, Choreographer DJ Gray, Scenic Designer Vincent Gunn, Costume Designer Dana Tzvetkov, Lighting Designer Corey Goulden-Naitove, and Sound Designer Brandon Reed. Stage management is led by Lori Garraghty, with Mars Abbett as Rehearsal Stage Manager and Chelsea Pell and Molly Lenig as Assistant Stage Managers.
Tickets for A Christmas Story the Musical start at $39 for adults, $29 for students, and $25 for children, making it a family-friendly option for audiences of all ages. A special “Pay What You Will” preview performance on Thursday, December 11 at 7:00 p.m. allows attendees to choose their own ticket price starting at $14. Supported by Jessika and Bryan Hane, this initiative helps ensure that live theater remains affordable and accessible to everyone in the Bloomington community. Additionally, Constellation is offering Community Access Tickets at no cost, available upon request while supplies last.
A Hilarious Holiday Twist
If you prefer your holiday entertainment with a bit more bite, Constellation has you covered with An Act of God, running December 18 through 30 in the Waldron Firebay Theater. Written by the 13-time Emmy Award-winning head writer of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, this sharp, irreverent comedy features God taking human form — with the help of two archangels — to deliver a brand-new set of commandments for modern times.
Equal parts witty and thought-provoking, An Act of God turns traditional holiday theater upside down with divine humor and clever social commentary. The production stars Constellation’s own Education Director, Eric Shelley, as God — a role he’s sure to fill with both charm and comedic timing. Shelley, a native Hoosier and graduate of Indiana University’s Theatre and Drama program, has performed across the world, including international tours and Disney cruises.
He’s joined by Shannon O’Connor Starks as the angel Michael and Michael Sheehan as Gabriel. Both are familiar faces to Constellation audiences — Starks appeared in Elf the Musical, Flat Stanley, and The Christians, while Sheehan was recently seen in The Play That Goes Wrong.
Directing the production is David Sheehan, who leads a creative team of local artists including Scenic Designer Dylan Marks, Lighting Designer Willow Arenz, Costume Designer Lydia Spellman, Sound Designer Eric Doades, Stage Manager Sevin Kacsir, and Assistant Stage Manager Kalias Brown.
Tickets for An Act of God are $25, with general admission seating. Because the Firebay Theater’s intimate space offers limited capacity, early reservations are recommended. The production is designated as a special event and is not eligible for Constellation’s FlexPass redemption.
A Season of Community and Celebration
While the two shows couldn’t be more different — one a heartwarming family musical, the other a sharp-tongued comedy about divine intervention — together they represent the spirit of what Constellation Stage & Screen aims to bring to Bloomington each year: storytelling that connects people through laughter, imagination, and shared experience.
At the center of it all is the Waldron Winter Wonderland, which runs throughout December. Open from December 5 to December 29, the Holiday Market will showcase handmade goods, artwork, and gifts from local artists and craftspeople. Visitors can browse for one-of-a-kind presents while enjoying free cocoa and hands-on activities for children. The transformed Waldron promises to be a place where creativity meets community, with Constellation ensuring that every visitor — from first-time theatergoers to longtime patrons — feels the warmth of the holiday season.
Constellation Stage & Screen’s dual productions highlight the range and vitality of Bloomington’s arts scene, offering something for everyone — whether you’re seeking a nostalgic family outing or a night of uproarious adult humor.
Tickets for both productions are available now through Constellation’s website, by phone at (812) 336-9300 (Monday through Friday, 12 p.m.–5 p.m.), or in person at 122 South Walnut Street (Wednesday through Friday, 12 p.m.–5 p.m.).
As Bloomington prepares for the holidays, Constellation Stage & Screen invites the community to gather at the Waldron Arts Center for a season full of laughter, light, and a little bit of theatrical magic. Whether you’re watching Ralphie chase his dream of a Red Ryder BB gun or hearing God deliver new commandments for the modern world, one thing is certain — this December, the Waldron will be the warmest, brightest spot in town.
