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Season > "Miracle on 34th Street"
 "Miracle
on 34th Street"
November 15 – December 29, 2007
Adapted by Will Severin, Patricia Di Benedetto Snyder, John
Vrecke, from the novel by Valentine Davies
Town Hall Theatre presents the classic holiday tale, Miracle
on 34th Street. In 1947, Macy's employee Doris Walker,
a single mother, has to hire a new Santa Claus for the famous
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Her choice turns out to be
the best Santa the store has ever had. However, Doris has
reservations when Mr. Kringle insists that he actually is
Santa Claus. Even Doris' young daughter Susan, a firm nonbeliever
in fantastical phenomenon, starts to believe that Mr. Kringle
is the real Santa. When a fellow Macy's employee fears that
Mr. Kringle's belief could be hazardous to children, Doris'
boyfriend Fred decides to defend Mr. Kringle in a high-profile
trial that challenges the city's holiday spirit. This delightful
and tender show is a must-see for the entire family this holiday
season.
“While Miracle on 34th Street is well known as a movie,
live theatre amplifies the experience for the audience," says
Eric Neiman, Director. “The story of believing in Santa Claus
is more relevant now than it was 50 years ago when the movie
debuted. If anything, the commercialism of Christmas has become
even more rampant and a message of a true belief in the spirit
of Christmas is a very important one.”
“The best thing about this play is that it spreads the Christmas
Spirit and keeps hope alive," says 10-year-old Olivia Hytha,
who plays Susan Walker. “I like the role of Susan because
she is sophisticated, but also innocent. She represents all
of the reasons why every childhood should have magic in it.
If you are someone who thinks they are done believing in Santa
Claus, Miracle on 34th Street will help you believe
again – at least until the curtain call.”
“I think this role is going to be quite a challenge,” says
Arthur Atlas, who plays Kris Kringle. “On the one hand, everyone
knows the story of Miracle on 34th Street, so it’s
familiar territory. However, I also need to make Kris Kringle
come to life as the personification of Christmas. I’m helped
by Eric’s direction and also by the strong acting from Olivia
Hytha. This is a show that is absolutely built for families
and for those who love the movie. Plus, Town Hall has just
renovated their lobby and bar and it’s a great place to come
relax over the holidays!”
Audience members are welcome to purchase drinks and snacks
downstairs and bring them to their seats in the upstairs theater.
Holiday Ticket Special for Kids (12 & under): $12
About the Cast and Crew:
Arthur Atlas appears as Kris Kringle in his first
show at Town Hall Theatre. His past roles have included Contra
Costa Civic Theatre’s Col. Pickering in My Fair Lady;
and Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof and Alfred P. Doolittle
in My Fair Lady for Pinole Community Theater.
Olivia Hytha appears as Susan. She is 10 years old
and last appeared as Brigitta in Sound of Music for
Stage 1 Theater. She also appeared as Amaryllis in Diablo
Light Opera Company’s Music Man.
Henry T. Perkins as Fred Gailey has appeared in many
Town Hall Shows this season and is becoming a favorite. He
appeared most recently as the bartender in The Weir
and the Fan in Bleacher Bums. He also played Eddie
and Dr. Scott in Rocky Horror Show.
Eric Neiman directs. He has been performing and directing
in Bay Area theaters for over 20 years. Most recently he directed
Death Trap at Pleasanton Playhouse and Seussical
at Contra Costa Christian Theatre. Local performing credits
include Finbar in The Weir (Town Hall Theatre), Anthony
in Sweeney Todd (CCCT), and Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly
Modern Millie (DLOC).
About Town Hall Theatre Company of Lafayette
Established in 1944 as the Dramateurs and reorganized in
1992 as Town Hall Theatre Company of Lafayette, Lafayette
Town Hall Theatre Company is the oldest continuously active
theater in Contra Costa County. The Company is a professionally
managed non-profit organization supported by a volunteer Board
of Directors drawn from the leaders of local businesses and
the surrounding artistic community. In its more than sixty
years, the Lafayette Town Hall Theatre Company has won nearly
40 Shellie Awards, including the Best Production in Contra
Costa County, Best Actor/Actress in a Play, Best Actor/Actress
in a Musical, Best Director of a Musical. Over its history,
major renovations have been completed to the historical Town
Hall facility, including the addition of air conditioning,
repositioning of the seating area, installation of new seats,
and installation of an elevator. All these factors make Town
Hall an exciting and intimate place to enjoy a fine evening
of live theatre - one reason that in both 2002 and 2003, Diablo
Magazine Readers voted Town Hall Theatre Company the Best
Small Theatre Group in the East Bay.
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