Miracle on 34th Street

Postcard Review by Caroline Russell-King

Show – Miracle on 34^th Street

Playwright/s – Music and lyrics by Meredith Willson based on the screenplay by George Seaton from the original story by Valentine Davies.

Production Company/Theatre space – StoryBook Theatre (semiprofessional) / Beddington Arts Centre

Length – 2 Acts (2 hours 15 minutes, one intermission)

Genre/s – Fantasy musical

Premise – When a man called Kris Kringle is hired to work as Santa at Macy’s department store, his unconventional style results in him being put on trial where a lawyer has to prove he is the real Santa to impress the woman he is smitten with.

Why this play? Why now? – A well-known show just in time for the holidays.

Curiosities – The audience I saw was all children and they were very well behaved – what can adults learn from these chaperones?

Notable Moment – Seeing Violet continue the Kerbe’s tradition and honour her grandmother.

Notable writing – The musical version is a little antiquated for younger kids - many of the references are 70+ years old. This musical has no signature tune and no ear worms. So, by that measure, it isn’t at the level of other musicals that have stood the test of time. The romance subplot should be wrapped up before the main court case plot; that’s when everyone cheers and thinks the plays is over. As it is now, the dénouement feels too long - but that’s just me. None-the-less, it is a Christmas standard and will be for decades to come.

Notable performances – Gary Hodgkinson makes a fine Kris Kringle. The romance leads, Erin Navarro (who has the unenviable solo before the curtain call) and the charismatic Tomas Grahame (who should have a long career ahead of him if he wants) look very sweet together. Roxy Spooner plays the child converted to the magic of Christmas and she, like Christmas, is very present. Spooner carries the responsibility well for one so young.

Notable design/Production – This is one of the best set designs I have ever seen. The show has the smash cuts of a movie. The set shifts from street, to store, to office, to house, to another house, to a courthouse office, and finally a courthouse. This obstacle could grind the story to a halt under a less skilled designer. Thibodeau’s attention to detail is extraordinary. There are many lovely touches (like a menorah in one of the windows) and the colour pallet is tempered with sepia that looks soft and coherent.

Notable direction – Artistic Director JP Thibodeau guides the production masterfully. Musical Direction by Alecia Pagnotta and choreography by Ken Overbey makes this show a success.

One reason to see this show – I think it’s already sold out, but phone to get on the waitlist.