RUMFORD — 49 Franklin and Paper Moon Players will present “A Christmas Story,” based on the motion picture written by Jean Shepherd. The Christmas spirit isn’t served up with more heartfelt warmth and hilarity than in this humorist’s classic yuletide story.

The show will be presented Dec. 12, 12, 18 and 19. Tickets are $15. 

In 1940s Indiana, 9-year-old Ralphie Parker dreams of his ideal Christmas gift: A genuine Red Ryder 200 shot carbine action air rifle! But when his gruff old man and his doting mother regularly respond with, “You’ll shoot your eye out,” Ralphie mounts a full-scale hint-dropping, Santa-begging campaign. He also endures a slew of calamities, from the yellow-eyed Scut Farkus affair to the dreaded tongue-on-the-frozen pole gambit. All the elements of the beloved 1983 film are presented in this holiday treat for the whole family.

The assembled cast includes Ralph (narrating as an adult) – Chuck Bellegarde; Ralphie Parker – Brayden Duguay; Mother – Melissa Burnham; The Old Man – Eric Schmersal; Randy – Anthony MacDonald; Miss Shields – Jen Foster; Flick – Trent Holman; Schwartz – Logan Graham; Esther Jane Alberry – Marissa LaPointe; Helen Weathers – Virginia Owings; Scut Farkus – Sean Gould; Cowboy, Tree Lot Owner, Delivery Man, Neighbor – Ryan Weber.

The show  is directed by Keith A. Grassette, assisted by Hope Fallon and produced by Cindy and Scot Grassette. Show dates are 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12, 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 18, and 7 p.m., , Saturday, Dec., 19. Doors will open one hour before show times for seating, social and theater snacks.

Tickets are available at Bartash and All That Jazz on Congress Street, Rumford  and online at www.49franklin.com.