After an eight-year hiatus, the sounds and songs of Christmas returned to the Park Hall stage in Ben Lomond as Mountain Community Theater’s production of “Miracle on 34th Street: The Play” made its 2010 debut performance Friday night, Nov. 26.
The story, adapted for stage by MCT members, follows the story of Kris Kringle (Peter Gelblum), a Macy’s department store Santa Claus who claims he is the genuine elf.
Kringle renews a belief in the spirit of Christmas in a city wrapped up in cynicism and materialism, microcosmically portrayed by his relationships with single mother Doris Walker (Shannon Kerr), her daughter Susan (Aidan O’Connell) and her would-be significant other, lawyer Fred Gayley (Lyle Troxell).
Kringle’s steadfast belief that he is Santa Claus lands him on the wrong side of an insanity hearing, thanks to the villainous efforts of Macy’s staff psychologist Dr. Sawyer (Marek Zelazkiewicz).
It then becomes Mr. Gayley’s mission to prove to Judge Harper (Tara McMilin) and everyone else that Kringle is really Santa Claus, once and for all.
Though there are several serious scenes, particularly when Mr. Gayley comforts Kringle while he is in a mental hospital, the performers never take long to remind the audience that the show is meant to be a lighthearted, comedic tale.
The cast, directed by Kathie Kratochvil, is a multigenerational ensemble featuring MCT regulars and newcomers alike.
The role of the owner of Macy’s department store, for example, is shared among Scott Kravitz and MCT founders Diana Wright Troxell, Paul Sampson, Rita Wadsworth and Albert Kent.
By far, though, the most fun part of the production Friday night was the children actors and their interactions with Gelblum’s Santa.
Gelblum had the grandfatherly charm one would expect from Santa Claus, and it was displayed to the greatest effect during the scene in Macy’s in which Kringle and a Dutch child (Gwendolyn Troxell) have a conversation in her native language.
Both Kerr and Lyle Troxell turned in strong performances as the romantic leads, taking the characters’ initial awkward relationship and effectively transitioning it to one of mutual attraction.
Aidan O’Connell’s performance as young Susan Walker was excellent, as well, showing her acting mettle as a cynical child who, with Kringle’s help, slowly allows her imagination and sense of wonder to emerge.
One of the most enjoyable pieces of the performance was “Elf Theater,” a surprise hip-hop dance number to Run-DMC’s “Christmas in Hollis,” featuring Santa’s elves (Olivia Martinez-Prado, Nathaneal Adkins, Ruby Howard, Allison Orr, Eli McMilin, Wyatt Troxell and Jeremy Rudd).
Along with musicians Steve Abrams and Jessie McMilin, an ensemble chorus featuring Ann McCormick, Sandy O’Connell, Gypsy Berks-Darwin, Tara McMilin, Linda Curtis, Sally Munro, Jade Adkins and Maggi Hoogs lent their voices in support of the actors’ excellent performances, all under the guidance of music director Kulani Kamaha’o.
The set design was well done, particularly the main stage. There was a secondary stage constructed in the center of the seats, as well, but it led to many instances of actors running between sets during dialogue that was a bit distracting. Visually, however, the sets were well designed and constructed.
Overall, “Miracle’s” message of looking for the Christmas spirit, rather than focusing on the materialism the holiday season has come to be so closely associated with, was refreshing. It was obvious all the actors were enjoying themselves, and that attitude was contagious to the audience.
With the legal issues regarding the rights to perform the show in the rearview mirror, it is not difficult to envision MCT’s well-performed “Miracle on 34th Street” becoming an annual community tradition to kick off the holiday season.
AT A GLANCE
What: Mountain Community Theater’s “Miracle on 34th Street: The Play”
When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 19
Where: Park Hall, 9400 Mill St., in Ben Lomond
Cost: $15 general, $10 Sunday matinees
Info: www.mctshows.com or 336-4777
