(ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- Stone Church Players presented “Miracle on 34th Street” for their annual radio play December 3-4, 2022 at All Saints’ Memorial Church. Directed by Lindsay Abbot of Rumson and Caitlin Martin of Highlands, the event featured Musical Director Mike Kabash of Rumson on piano and the cast included 10 wonderfully talented actors who have all performed in past SCP productions. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

This is the timeless story of an old man who calls himself Kris Kringle and is hired as the Macy's department store Santa. His claim to be the real Santa Claus becomes a court case and a young child's belief could make all the difference. ** Out of the Box Theatre

Artistic Director Michael McClellan led the cast as Kris Kringle, the new Macy’s Santa Claus who claims to be the real thing. Mr McClellan was last seen as Clarence in last year’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” and recently directed “The Bridges of Madison County”.

Clover Jay of Freehold was Susan Walker, Doris Walker’s 8-year-old daughter. Clover and mom Christine have shared the stage several times most notably in this year’s “Anyone Can Whistle” with NENAproductions and the 2016 SCP production of “Once Upon a Mattress”. Aaron “Juice” Jackson rounded out the principal cast as the Walkers’ neighbor, Fred Gailey.

The show featured a very talented ensemble cast voicing multiple parts. SCP veterans Cynthia Dannen of Rumson and Andrew Struse of Middletown are joined by relative newcomers Darren DeAngelo of Keansburg, Jesse Luciani of Red Bank, Leslie Patient of Middletown, and Lizzy Stefanic of Matawan.

In 2008, Michael McClellan and his partner founded The Stone Church Players at All Saints Church in Navesink.  He is now Artistic Director of The Stone Church Players, and has directed their productions of Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream,  Romeo and Juliet, Taming of the Shrew, Man of La Mancha, Mame and Our Town, and co-directed Macbeth, Lion in Winter, Drowsy Chaperone and Jesus Christ Superstar.  He has appeared with them as Ragueneau in Cyrano, Kris Kringle in Miracle on 34th Street, Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar, Mr. Lindquist in A Little Night Music, Noah Curry in 110 in the Shade, Moonface Martin in Anything Goes, Clarence in A Wonderful Life, the Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol and as two brothers (one being a puppet) in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  Other favorite past roles include Jules in Sunday in the Park with George, Mr. Bumble in Oliver, Dr. Dussel in The Diary of Anne Frank, and the lead in The Other Coal Miner’s Daughter with the Western Massachusetts Gay Men’s Chorus.

Here are more photos from the production.

John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in live theatre and music performances. For more than 10 years, John has photographed live music events where he mastered the techniques of timing and capturing fast moving action under challenging lighting conditions to capture that perfect moment that tells a story in a single image. Currently, John has photographed over 110 productions for over 70 different theatres and venues. Click here for John's website.