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Porchlight Music Theatre
(Porchlight Music Theatre Website)
Presents
Miracle on 34th Street
A play from the novel by Valentine Davies
Adapted by Patricia Di Benedetto Snyder,
Will Severin, John Vreeke
L. Walter Stearns: Artistic Director
Jonathan Heuring: Managing Director
Holiday Music Opening
John Steinhagen
At
Theatre Building Chicago
(Theatre Building Chicago Website)
1225 W. Belmont
Chicago, Illinois 60657
773-327-5252
November 20 to January 3, 2010
Director: L. Walter Stearns
Musical Director: Eugene Dizon
Choreographer: Annie Hackett
Scenic Design: Ian Zywica
Lighting Design: Gary C. Echelmeyer
Costume Design: Jana Anderson
Video Projection Design: Liviu Pasare
Sound Design: Joseph Fosco
Stage Manager: Rachel Robinson
Public Relations: Noreen Heron & Associates, Inc.
Featuring:
Jim Sherman, Matthew W. Miles, Christa Buck,
Karl Hamilton, Laney Kraus-Taddeo, James Nedrud,
Alex Radtke, Rebecca Chicoine, Clara Radtke,
Steve Tomlitz, Charlotte Van Ermen, Amy Olsen,
Chuck Sisson, Rus Rainear,
Jim Heatherly, Steve Tomlitz
Susan Weinrebe
November 22, 2009
Pavlovian as it may be, carols, projections of a wintery night’s city skyline, and shimmering snowflake images readily set the mood for Christmas. It’s that time of year when a raft of traditional stories recall celebrations of years past and pique anticipation for the coming of the holiday. Joining many other favorite plays and movies, Miracle on 34th Street reminds us to hope, believe, and enjoy the pleasures of the season.
The story revolves around an older gentleman, who gets a job as a department store Santa and claims that he really is Kris Kringle, a little girl, pragmatically raised to believe only what can be proved, and her mother, who’s approach-avoidance shy, when it comes to romance.
Miracle on 34th Street is a thin plot for a play. The debate (Is this man really Santa?) and the competency trial to commit him play more dramatically on screen, with crowds of extras and the city of New York to fill in the spaces, than on a small stage. Porchlight’s production relied on strolling carolers, quick scene changes with a few pieces of furniture to suggest the setting, and hearty sincerity from the cast. Great-looking vintage costumes, in need of better pressing, nonetheless did their part to convey the time (1940’s) when America was recovering from a war and had all the hope in the world.
Wordy as it may be for very young children, Miracle on 34th Street has its place in the roll call of beloved Christmas stories. The kids in the audience seemed hypnotized by the acting and delighted to be gathered onto the stage to be part of the magic of this classic tale.
Chicago's Porchlight Theatre's
MIRACLE ON 34th STREET
Christa Buck, Karl Hamilton,
Jim Sherman, Laney Kraus-Taddeo
Courtesy of Michael Brosilow
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