'Tis (almost) the season for a Christmastime musical! With the dog days of summer coming to a close in the next couple of weeks, the announcement that Maya Rudolph will star in A Christmas Story: Live serves as an early holiday present for fans who patiently await the magic of Christmas. Variety reports that the multitalented Saturday Night Live veteran recently signed on to star in Fox's latest live musical offering which set to air on the network December 17.
With the holiday season quickly approaching, the news is an exciting preview of the merriment that's to come in the upcoming yuletide months. And the casting of Rudolph, a multi-hyphenate actor, singer and comedian is certainly an impeccable choice for the role. Having starred on SNL for over seven years, the 45-year-old mother of four is no stranger to the live television circuit.
A Christmas Story: Live, which is inspired by the novel, movie and Tony Award-nominated Broadway play of the same name, is reported to be a three hour event that will feature Rudolph as the mother of main character, 9-year-old Ralphie Parker. The film, which has become a beloved holiday classic since its release in 1983, remains a popular mainstay for many during the Christmas season with many networks routinely airing it during 24-hour marathons throughout the holidays.
Marc Platt will reportedly return to executive produce the musical project for Fox, according to Variety. Platt also produced the network's 2016 Grease: Live, while Adam Siegal, Jonathan Tolins and Robert Cary will join the venture as co-executive producers and writers.
As much as many of us may hate to see summer go, the excitement of the holiday season and news that A Christmas Story: Live is soon to come gives us a lot to look forward to.
