With the U.S. Thanksgiving and famed Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade providing the perfect backdrop, Miracle On 34th Street opened at The Arts Club Theatre Company’s Granville Island Stage.
Bringing the classic holiday film to stage, this adaptation by Caleb Marshall & Erin Keating from the Classic Story by Valentine Davies runs until December 29th. Under the direction of Omari Newton, Amir Ofek’s set design transports us to the bustle of Herald Square while we see the late 1940s in Alaia Hamer’s costume design.
As Macy’s Department Store is set to kick off its annual Parade, we find the jolly Kris Kringle (Kevin McNulty) hired by uptight realist Parade Coordinator Doris Walker (Michelle Harrison), starting work as a Macy’s department store Santa. At home, single-mom Doris, raised equality no-nonsense daughter Susan, played opening-night by Alex MacIsaac who alternates with Siggi Kaldestad in the role. Their cold facade starts to thaw when handsome neighbour Fred Gailey (Jay Hindle) moves in down the hall and introduces legends and imagination to their lives.
Kris takes on a genuine quest to spread Christmas cheer and stem the wave of commercialism taking over the holiday, however things soon tumble out of control. Kris insists he is truly Santa Claus, but skeptical adults and an unimaginative little girl doubt him. His rise in popularity, rising profits for retailers, jealousy rears its ugly head and confusion reigns as store executives take Kris to court, where he must prove he’s the real thing. As Kris takes on the challenge of proving his identity in a courtroom showdown, the audience is left to question—can there really be a Santa Claus?
Carrying along the sentimental seasonal storyline, the chemistry between the four dynamic leads is offset with laughter-inducing turns by comedic gems Tess Degenstein, Nathan Kay, Ashley O’Connell, Julio Rod Marín and Raugi Yu each taking on a host of colourful characters to fill out the other employees and populace of Macy’s and Manhattan. Azriel Dalman and Denzel Onaba share the other child roles of Mortimer/Tommy while Kamyar Pazandeh and Emma Slipp round out the ensemble and understudies.
With such a beloved source film, care is taken to keep this endearing story faithful for the fans while adding creative changed for the stage production. Let the Miracle on 34th Street fill your heart, and find if you really believe there is a Santa Claus.
Miracle on 34th Street runs until December 29, 2024 at The Arts Club Theatre Company Granville Island Stage, 1585 Johnston Street. Visit artsclub.com for showtimes and tickets.