Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 11/13/2024
(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre presents the Christmas musical, Miracle on 34th Street, from November 30 through December 15, 2024. Paula Hammons Sloan directs and choreographs and Pete Clapsis heads the cast as Kris Kringle. In the play, single mother, Doris Walker, doesn't want her six-year-old Susan's head filled with romantic notions - such as Santa Claus.
Their neighbor, Fred Gailey, tries to woo Doris by charming Susan and taking her to see Santa Claus at Macy's, where Doris works. Doris is not impressed, but when it turns out that Macy's Santa may, in fact, be the real Kris Kringle, a wave of love spreads across New York City that melts even the most cynical hearts.
Filled with humor, spectacle and such beloved songs as Pinecones and Hollyberries, It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas and My State, My Kansas, this joyous, heartwarming musical is pure family entertainment. Based on the beloved movie with a score added by Meredith Willson (The Music Man).
Paula Hammons Sloan directs and choreographs. Along with a background in mathematics, her work as Director/Choreographer and Master Teacher has been recognized nationally for almost 40 years. Ms. Sloan has directed or choreographed numerous National tours including: Music Man, Cabaret, Bye Bye Birdie, Little Women, Urban Cowboy, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Copacabana, Funny Girl, George M, Singin’ in the Rain, Titanic, My One and Only, Crazy for You and The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Having mounted several productions at the Tropicana Resort and Casino and Resorts in Atlantic City, she also directed and choreographed Miracle on 34th Street (Jersey Shore Entertainment) on the West Coast and at the Tropicana Resort and Casino.
The show will also feature Musical Direction by Ricky Pope, Scenic Design by Christopher Strangfeld, Sound Design by Emily Parker, and Lighting Design by Anthony Marinaro.
Miracle on 34th Street features performances by Pete Clapsis (Kris Kringle), MaryAnn DiPietro (Doris Walker), Andrew Fehrenbacher (Fred Gailey), Ella Kossove (Susan Walker), Taylor Hilt Mitchell (Thomas Mara), Thomas Netter (Marvin Shellhammer), Parker Spagnuolo (Thomas Mara Jr.), and Tim Steiner (Mr. Sawyer).
Ensemble: Mike Brennan, Linden Ainsley Ebling, Dwan Hayes, Mason Hemphill, Nicholas Kaminski, Lily Kozub, Maya Momon, Alison Nusbaum, Hayden Rivas, David Sitler, Emily Steindl, Aiden Toth, Pam Veltri, Alexander Vogelgesang, Maxine Warren, and Thomas Whitcomb.
Youth Ensemble: Mira Ellis, Hunter Mayo, Edahi Aparicio, Milana Dinis, Violet Garsman, Mason Hemphill, Kyler Mathes, Arya LaPreta, and Emma Markowski.
Performances take place November 30, December 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15 at 2:00pm and November 30, December 6, 7, 13, 14 at 7:30pm. Tickets: Adults- $43.00; Children 12 and Under- $33.00. Tickets are available for purchase online or by calling (609)492-9477. Surflight Theatre is located at 201 Engleside Avenue in Beach Haven, New Jersey.
Miracle on 34th Street is sponsored by YuleTIDE & Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church.
Surflight's 2024 Season is sponsored by Bay Magazine and The Cheese Shoppe.
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