Actor Lukas Engel recalls taking the stage to play iconic character in ‘A Christmas Story’
As an award-winning teenage actor, Toronto’s Lukas Engel never likes to pigeonhole himself into one type of character or medium. He aims to be incredibly versatile in his craft, taking on challenging roles far beyond his years. He is drawn to dynamic characters that allow him to really dive into the role but does not define his style. His willingness to cater to a director’s vision has allowed him to rise to the top of his game, working on Nickelodeon’s smash hit Paw Patrol, which was the highest-rated preschool TV program in the United States, taking home the Leo Award for Best Actor for his performance in the 2016 emotional drama The Shallow End, and twice nominated in 2020 for Best Young Actor at the Young Entertainer Awards, once for Best Young Actor – Voice Over Role for the Netflix original Hello Ninja and the other for Best Young Actor – Web Host for The Wacky Word Show.
Lukas is clearly a master in the world of film and television, but also is well-known for his stage work after starring in A Christmas Story. The classic was performed at the Lower Ossington Theatre in 2019, and the show was extended thanks to its popularity.
“I wanted to work on this project because I love doing theatre work and performing live for audiences. It is so exciting to hit the stage, and it is very different from working on camera. Seeing and hearing the audience during a show is the best feeling in the world! I love when I can hear them laughing and enjoying themselves,” said Lukas.
The musical stage adaptation of the 1983 film of the same name tells the iconic story of nine-year-old Ralphie Parker, who desperately wants a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun for Christmas. In the play, Lukas played the role of Ralphie’s friend Schwartz, who utters that famed line “I triple dog dare you!” which greatly excited the young actor.
“I love the classic tale of A Christmas Story because it is about a group of friends who have solid relationships and a family who enjoys each other’s company. It is a feel good play, and I knew it made audiences smile and laugh. I think it’s so important to take time to smile and laugh, and A Christmas Story did that for all of our audiences,” said Lukas.
Working in theatre is vastly different than in front of a camera, and Lukas’ vast experience in both was an asset to this production. Playing Schwartz, Lukas added humor to the play.
He played the role “big” by amplifying his actions and voice, which brought on the laughs, and was encouraged to improvise when he felt it was appropriate. Lukas’ comedic instincts proved fruitful, as his run of A Christmas Story was completely sold out. The show was an absolute hit, and Lukas is still proud of it to this day.
“I really enjoyed being in front of a live audience. There is something about being on stage that is truly magical. When you hear the audience laugh and applaud it is so satisfying, and I feed off that. I also really enjoyed working with a cast that was mostly my age. Theatre will always have a special place in my heart, and I love the thrill of a live show,” said Lukas.
Going into 2023, audiences can look forward to seeing Lukas in some new and upcoming projects, including the children’s fantasy series Ethan and His Sword, in which Lukas will play the titular character, and he will be hosting the upcoming web series Food Fixers, fulfilling a career goal of combining his two passions: acting and food.
