There’s something special about watching a child at Christmas time.
The excitement, wonder and magic in a child’s eye at this time of year are powerful reminders to us all that believing isn’t always about seeing.
The sad juxtaposition of a child lacking that sense of wonder – and worse, an adult who’s complicit in its absence – are at the heart of what makes Miracle on 34th Street such an endearing story 70 years after it was written.
A stage version of the Christmas classic, adapted by Caleb Marshall and Erin Keating from the story by Valentine Davies, is playing now at Theatre Orangeville.
The play, set in 1940s New York City, tells the story of single mother and Macy’s employee Doris Walker (played by Mairi Babb) and her young daughter Susan (Hanubae Carlos).
Doris, having had many of her own dreams crushed over the years, has projected her resentment onto Susan, stifling her daughter’s imagination and even going as far as telling Susan Santa Claus does not exist.
Their neighbour, lawyer Fred Gailey (Jesse Griffiths), does his best to woo Doris and encourage Susan, trying to convince both of the error of their disbelieving ways.
But it’s not until the arrival of Kris Kringle (Walter Learning), whom Doris hires to be the department store Santa, that the play’s main characters start to truly believe.
For Kris Kringle believes he is the real Saint Nick, which unleashes a chain reaction of events culminating with Kringle’s commitment to a psychiatric hospital and a court hearing to determine his sanity.
Those who have seen the classic 1947 film (or the 1994 movie) based on the Davies story, know how the tale ends – and those who have not will not find out here.
Needless to say, it remains a classic Christmas story containing lessons as valuable and pertinent today as they were 70 years ago.
Perhaps the script’s only real weakness is its inclusion of too many short scenes, particularly at the start of the play, that interrupt flow and result in a somewhat choppy composition.
Granted, the situation is likely the direct result of trying to adapt for the stage a Lux Radio Theatre version of the story, but the production may have been improved by eliminating a few of those scenes.
That, however, does not detract from the great performances – both on stage and behind the scenes – of all those involved with the Theatre Orangeville production.
Babb and Griffiths display great chemistry as love interests Doris and Fred, but also bring great poise to their respective roles as a Macy’s employee/mother and an attorney.
Robert Clarke and Sam Rosenthal momentarily steal the show several times with their comedic portrayals of competitors Mr. Macy and Mr. Gimbel, though both actors play several other parts equally as well.
As usual, Terry Barna is great, taking on three roles here; Debra Hale is hilarious in her four supporting roles; and Dov Mickelson shows great range portraying the child-like Macy’s elf Alfred and gruff prosecutor Mara.
Fourth grader Hanubae Carlos is fabulous as Susan, displaying some fine acting that should only improve with more experience.
Fellow youngster Liam MacDonald is also great, though in a lesser role as Mortimer/Tommy.
Last, but not least, Walter Learning is fantastic in one of the better portrayals of Santa Claus audiences may ever see. Thankfully, his is not an over-the-top Saint Nick, but a subdued and realistic one, without forfeiting the requisite mystique and authoritative presence of the spellbinding character.
Set designer Beckie Morris, one of Theatre Orangeville’s greatest assets, has once again outdone herself here. With a simple yet ingenious combination of mobile set pieces, curtains, impressively-realistic elevator doors and a familiar Macy’s backdrop, she manages to seamlessly and quickly change locales without sacrificing detail or accuracy.
The rest of the creative and production team combines to make Miracle on 34th Street a wonderful theatre experience.
Anyone who has yet to experience this magical Christmas classic would be well served if their first exposure to it is at Theatre Orangeville.
There’s no better time than now to start a new holiday tradition.
Miracle on 34th Street plays five shows a week until Dec. 23. For tickets call 1-800-424-1295 or visit theatreorangeville.ca.
