Tony Award winner Jane Krakowski (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,30 Rock) and Emmy Award nominee Chris Diamantopoulos (Good Girls Revolt,Silicon Valley,Episodes) have been cast in featured roles inA Christmas Story: Live, Fox’s live musical event airing Sunday, Dec. 17 (7:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on Fox. Krakowski will play “Miss Shields,” the teacher of nine-year-old “Ralphie Parker”; and Diamantopoulos will portray “Ralphie’s” dad.
Krakowski and Diamantopoulos join previously announced cast members Emmy Award nominee Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live,Bridesmaids), who will star asRalphie’s mother; two-time Tony Award winnerMatthew Broderick(How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying,The Producers,Manchester by the Sea), who will star as the narrator; and Andy Walken, who will play “Ralphie.” Krakowski’s role inA Christmas Story: Livereunites her with stage director and executive producer Scott Ellis, who directed the Tony-nominated Broadway revival ofShe Loves Me, in which Krakowski starred, receiving a Tony Award nomination for her performance.
Best known for her role as “Jenna Maroney” on the network comedy30 Rock, Jane Krakowski received four Emmy Award nominations for her performance. She was first introduced to TV audiences in her breakout role on Fox’sAlly McBeal, and currently can be seen in the streaming seriesUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, which has earned her an Emmy Award nomination and a Critics' Choice Award. Her other television credits includeModern Family,The Simpsons,American Dad,YoungerandSesame Street. Last year, Krakowski starred in the critically acclaimed and award-winning Broadway production ofShe Loves Me. In 2003, she received a Tony Award for her portrayal of “Carla” in the Broadway musicalNine, and she earned her first Tony Award nomination for her work in the original Broadway production ofGrand Hotel. Other Broadway credits includeCompany,Once upon a Mattress,TartuffeandStarlight Express. She also starred inGuys and Dollswith Ewan McGregor in London’s West End for which she earned an Olivier Award and theEncores!revival ofDamn Yankees, opposite Sean Hayes. In 2012, Krakowski released her solo debut album, “The Laziest Gal in Town,” and performed a one-woman cabaret act at New York’s legendary Town Hall Theater. Her film credits includeNational Lampoon’s Vacation,Alfie,The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas,Pretty Persuasion,Kit Kittredge: An American Girl,Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant,Adult Beginners,Big Stone GapandPixels.
Chris Diamantopoulos most recently starred on Broadway, opposite Sara Bareilles, in the hit musicalWaitress. He will be seen next in the feature comedyThe Truth About Lies, opposite Odette Annable; and the television seriesThe Dangerous Book for BoysandLet’s Get Physical. His additional television credits includeGood Girls Revolt,Silicon Valley,About a Boy, the revival ofArrested Development,Episodesand the final season ofThe Office. Diamantopoulos also can be heard as the voice ofMickey Mouseon the highly acclaimed cable seriesMickey Mouse, and as the voice of a variety of characters on more than 20 episodes ofAmerican Dad. On film, Diamantopoulos can be seen in the independent featureMan Vs.and in Jonathan Sobol’sThe Art of the Steal, alongside Katheryn Winnick and Kurt Russell. Diamantopoulos also appeared in the acclaimed Canadian filmDr. Cabbie, alongside Adrianne Palicki, and portrayed iconic comedian Moe Howard in the Farrelly Bros.‘The Three Stooges.
From Warner Horizon Unscripted & Alternative Television,A Christmas Story: Liveis inspired by the holiday classic featureA Christmas Storyand the Tony Award-nominated Broadway productionA Christmas Story: The Musical. The epiclive musical eventwill be filmed at the historic Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank.
A Christmas Story: Livewill be produced by Warner Horizon Unscripted & Alternative Television. Marc Platt (Grease: Live,La La Land,Wicked) and Adam Siegel (Grease: Live) will executive-produce, with Jonathan Tolins and Robert Cary (Grease: Live,Anything but Love,Ira & Abby) serving as co-executive producers and writers. Scott Ellis (the 2016 Broadway revival ofShe Loves Me,Weeds) is an executive producer and will serve as the director overseeing the stage direction. Alex Rudzinski (Grease: Live,Dancing with the Stars) is an executive producer and will serve as the live television director. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen,La La Land), who composed the original score toA Christmas Story: The Musical, will compose several new songs for thelive television event. Hopefully we’ll have more casting news fromFoxin the very near future.
