As Christmas approaches, the San Lorenzo Valley comes alive with celebrations of all kinds. From Santa roaming the neighborhoods in Felton via fire truck to the Boulder Creek Tree Lighting, children of all ages can find a way to ring in the holidays.
Not to be left behind, Mountain Community Theater (MCT) at Park Hall in Ben Lomond is presenting its semi-annual production of “Miracle on 34th Street, The Play,” beginning this weekend and continuing through Dec. 15.
Adapted from the novel by Valentine Davies and based upon the motion picture, MCT’s own “Miracle” is one to behold.
Set in modern-day New York City, “Miracle on 34th Street” is a heartwarming holiday classic that follows the journey of Kris Kringle, an old man released from a retirement home who gets a job working as Santa Claus for Macy’s holiday season. Kris unleashes waves of goodwill with Macy’s customers and the commercial world of New York City.
When Kringle surprises customers and employees alike by claiming that he really is Santa Claus, it leads to a court case to determine the validity of his claim and, more importantly, his authenticity. At stake is one little girl’s belief in Santa and her mother’s willingness to take another shot at love.
MCT’s special “Miracle” began in 1982 when the newly formed group wanted a holiday play. Two of the co-founders, Peter Troxell and Rita Wadsworth, dashed off a script for “Miracle on 34th Street.” The play was a great success, and MCT subsequently produced the show in 1983, 1984, 1987, 1992 and 1994.
Through Troxell’s efforts, in March 1995 MCT reached an agreement with members of author Davies’ family, granting MCT permission to publish and produce the play.
In February 1996, Phyllis Macy, a long-time active MCT-er, arranged for The Dramatic Publishing Company to publish and license others to produce MCT’s adaptation of “Miracle on 34th Street.” MCT received its first royalty payment in February 1998. The local “Miracle” began to pay off. MCT mounted its seventh production of the play in December 2002.
Then, in May 2003, The Dramatic Publishing Company stopped publishing and licensing the play, due to a dispute with 20th Century Fox regarding MCT’s right to create, publish, license and perform the adaptation. Accordingly, MCT stopped receiving royalties from the publication and could no longer perform the play.
In 2008, the next part of MCT’s “Miracle” occurred. Peter Gelblum, a long-time theater person and a skilled attorney, moved to the neighborhood and became active in MCT. He decided to look into the matter.
After a very lengthy process, in September 2010, Gelblum and his brother Seth negotiated an agreement between MCT and 20th Century Fox that reinstated MCT’s right to publish, license and perform MCT’s adaptation, now called “Miracle on 34th Street, The Play.”
Once again, MCT began receiving royalties and was able to present the local “Miracle,” which it did in 2010 and 2012. Most fittingly, Gelblum played Kris Kringle.
Directed by Daria E. Troxell and once again featuring Gelblum as Kris Kringle, the family-friendly production will sprinkle a little Christmas spirit into the world. The play features a cast of 30 adults and children and opens on Friday, Nov. 22, and runs through Dec. 15. Performances are every Friday and Saturday evening at 7:30pm, with Sunday matinees at 2pm.
MCT is also looking for ushers to assist with every show; help patrons find their seats in the theater and earn a free seat of their own for that performance.
For ticketing information, visit mctshows.org.
