It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…at Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse at any rate by way of Meredith Willson’s musical adaptation of the iconic 1947 holiday film Miracle on 34th Street, and, yes, THAT Meredith Willson of The Music Man fame. Willson was a mega-talented flautist, composer, conductor, bandleader, playwright and author as well as a musical arranger for several films.
This was Willson’s third opus for Broadway and was not considered by theater buffs to be a great success. His wildly popular Music Man ran for 1,375 performances, his next work, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, ran for 532 performances and Miracle a mere 334 performances under the title Here’s Love which, by the way, is the title of the closing number in this production.
If you, like me, pay annual homage to the classic holiday films, including the 1947 version of Miracle, put that film out of mind. While the major touchstones of the film remain there are also somewhat significant differences such as Fred Gailey’s references to a military background and talking to his hats, so try your best to come into the show as a blank slate. I readily admit that my perspective was colored by the film. If you somehow have managed to negotiate the holidays without ever viewing the film you will find this musical, creatively directed by Corinne Johnson, a delightful gateway into the holiday season.
As amazing and detailed as I thought the set for The Addams Family was, Susan Holgersson’s design for this show is even more spectacular with rolling set pieces for Santa’s sleigh, two apartments, a park, and a courtroom as well as multiple flying pieces. It was dazzling and the scene changes were supersonic.
Young Charlotte Ruth brings an impressive résumé to Circa for her tender age and makes an equally impressive debut as the no-nonsense, feisty Susan Walker. As Santa himself is John Payonk who gives a lovable, endearing portrayal of the jolly old elf, and Paul Gregory Nelson is an imposing R. H. Macy; both have soaring and expressive vocal talent. Of special note, I have to admit that I fell in love with the cute as a button 8 year-old Edith Young as little Hendrika who sat on Kris Kringle’s lap and wowed us singing in Dutch along with Sinterklaas and causing the first crack in Susan’s stalwart skepticism of all things Santa.
Sarah Hays sheds her role as Morticia in The Addams Family and magically morphs into single mom Doris Walker. Rounding out the main characters is Kyle Defauw as the engaging Fred Gailey.
Last, but certainly not least, the Bootleggers pre-show was all things Santa and even included some songs I had never heard before.
Without doubt, this Pine Cones and Holly Berries production will put you into the holiday spirit.
Miracle on 34th Street continues at Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse, 1828 – 3rd Avenue in Rock Island through December 29th with matinee performances on Wednesdays, evening performances Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and Dinner performances on Sundays. Be aware: massive street construction is still going on right in front of the theatre so parking is at a premium.
I’m Chris Hicks…jingle my bells and break a leg.