Director’s Spotlight: Beth Wilson Brings Heart and Holiday Magic to A Christmas Story: The Musical

By: Jess Spagnolo [Kawartha Lakes Weekly Feature]

As the holiday season draws near, FLATO Academy Theatre is set to sparkle with warmth, laughter, and nostalgia with A Christmas Story: The Musical. Directed by longtime community member and theatre enthusiast Beth Wilson, this beloved holiday production runs November 28, 29, and 30, 2025.

Why A Christmas Story?

“This year we chose A Christmas Story based on timing,” Beth explains. “We haven’t had a show go this late into November before, so it’s that much closer to Christmas time.” But for Beth, it’s more than timing. “I tug on heartstrings quite a bit with my own family,” she shares. “It was a favourite of ours growing up. My dad was the main one who always wanted the Red Ryder BB gun, and he could just relate so much to this story when the movie came out. It’s always kind of been a family classic for us.”

That love even inspired a family trip. “Right before COVID, in 2019, our family took a trip to Cleveland, Ohio and went to the house — the A Christmas Story house — and went through it. That was fun,” she says. “And my son Luke, we always thought he looked like Ralphie when he was smaller. So there’s lots of paraphernalia hanging around our house.”

What Is Your Favourite Thing About Directing?

Beth’s passion for theatre extends beyond the stage. “I love bringing community together,” she says. “I love creating experiences where new friends can be made, outreach can be had, and kids can find a new talent that they’re passionate about.”

She adds, “I love directing because I have an appreciation for all the parts of the show — not just what’s happening on stage. I’ve learned so much about sets, props, and the technical pieces, and you start to realize, ‘Oh, it’s more than just the lines I’m saying!’ There’s so much that needs to happen. And with that, you build a really tight team. I’ve always been part of a team, sports-wise, so I find this is the ultimate arts team, and that’s what I really like.”

How Did You First Get Involved with Musical Theatre?

“My very first role was Snow White in kindergarten,” she recalls. “Then in elementary school, I had this amazing teacher, Cloyce Weaver, who was putting on The Wizard of Oz, and I got to be Dorothy. Once I had a taste of that, I just loved it. I love being able to go into a different world on stage.”

Who’s Your Greatest Inspiration?

Beth credits her inspiration to “a teacher, a music teacher, and a Nana.” She fondly recalls her grandmother: “My nana had the knack for being a character,” Beth shares. “She moved to Canada from far away and had this thick Scottish accent. She once convinced all her friends to dress up as characters from Annie Get Your Gun, and they went around playing washboards and singing ‘Folks Are Dumb Where I Come From.’ I think she took her dentures out to play the part — just to entertain people! She really enjoyed being a character. I think she would have loved to see us do something like this.”

Along with her Nana, Beth credits her music teacher, Marjory Slim, and elementary teacher, Cloyce Weaver. “They made musical theatre come to life. It wasn’t work, it was enjoyment. You walk on stage and it’s this magical place.”

What’s Your First Memory of the Academy Theatre?

“My first memory was seeing Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat back in ’96 or ’97,” she says. “It was put on by a whole bunch of high school students and now I get to work beside some of those kids.” She adds, “When I was first getting married in 2000, I knew I was moving up here — and not really knowing anybody — I auditioned for Anne of Green Gables, and met Marion Puffer, who is such a big part of this, and I immediately felt it was going to be okay moving here because I felt like I belonged to something great.”

What Do You Love Most About the Academy Theatre?

“When people feel a part of something, life is just better,” she says. “You can come here, make a friend, and escape reality for a little bit. You come into this magical place and we create different worlds on stage, and you just get lost for a little bit, I like that.”

Don’t miss Beth Wilson’s heartwarming production of A Christmas Story: The Musical, running November 28–30, 2025 at FLATO Academy Theatre. Gather your family, rediscover the joy of Christmas storytelling, and make it part of your holiday tradition. Tickets available now atwww.flatoacademytheatre.com.