Theatre Bristol brings Miracle on 34th Street to the Stage this holiday season
November 24, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“Miracle on 34th Street” is a tale that we want to believe in, that creates a world we seem to desperately desire, free of the blatant commercialism that surrounds us, where love and decency and generosity of spirit are their own rewards. What we want Christmas to be all about, really,” so writes the Santa Cruz Sentinel of this most heartwarming holiday story. By chance, Kris Kringle, an old man in a retirement home, gets a job working as Santa for Macy’s. Kris unleashes waves of good will with Macy’s customers and the commercial world of New York City by referring parents to other stores to find exactly the toy their child has asked for. Seen as deluded and dangerous by Macy’s vocational counselor, who plots to have Kris shanghaied to Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital, Kris ends up in a court competency hearing. Especially at stake is one little girl’s belief in Santa. In a dramatic decision, the court confirms Kris as the true Santa, allowing Susan and countless other children to experience the joy of childhood fantasy.
Directing the cast of thirty is regionally respected director and longtime Theatre Bristol collaborator, Glenn Patterson. The cast features a nice mix of Theatre Bristol veterans and new comers. Kris, or Santa, is played by John Runde. The role of Susan, the seven-year-old girl who learns to believe, is dual cast with Lauren Turner and Audrey Chapman. Her mother, the skeptical and guarded Doris Walker, is played by Meaghan Gray. Michael Gerber is in the role of optimistic attorney Fred Galey. The rest of the cast includes: SaBrina King, Steve Basket, Michael Lester, Lindsay Marshall, Lily Osborne, Ginny Osborne, Daniel Osborne, Miriam Price, Lilly Price, Ian Price, Cassidy Brunson, Haley Brunson, Molly Johnson, Grace Johnson, Abigail Hill, Lacey Williams, Jacob Alvis, Torey Walk, Ethan Riffey, Rori Simmons, Iona Blackburn, Eliza McClellan, Daniel Freeman, Carson Musick and Mike Musick.
The classic holiday story was first brought to the silver screen by Twentieth Century Fox in 1947 from the story by Valentine Davies, and starred a young Natalie Wood as Susan Walker, Maureen O’Hara as her mother Doris and Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle. The 1994 remake starred Dylan McDermott, Elizabeth Perkins and Sir Richard Attenborough. Theatre Bristol will be performing the stage version that is based on the classic and adapted by Mountain Community Theatre.
For more information please visit our website www.theatrebristol.org or visit our facebook page. Call 423-383-5979 for information or tickets.
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Press, please call Mike Musick at 423-383-4035 if you need additional story info or to schedule an interview.
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Theatre Bristol to perform “Miracle on 34th Street”, audition and show dates announced
For immediate release
Contact: Mike Musick, 423-383-5979
Bristol, September 2013. Theatre Bristol will bring a “Miracle” to downtown Bristol this holiday season, a “Miracle on 34th Street”. The holiday family favorite will open Thanksgiving weekend, beginning Friday, November 29th and run through December 15th. (Weekend one; Nov. 29, 30, Dec. 1. Weekend two; Dec. 6, 7, 8. Weekend three; Dec. 13, 14, 15). Show times are 7:30 pm for Friday & Saturday evening performances and 2:30 pm for the Sunday matinees. Directing the cast of over 25 will be regionally respected director and longtime Theatre Bristol collaborator Glen Patterson. Tickets are $12.00 for adults, $10 for seniors (60+), students, and children.
“Miracle on 34th Street” is a tale that we want to believe in, that creates a world we seem to desperately desire, free of the blatant commercialism that surrounds us, where love and decency and generosity of spirit are their own rewards. What we want Christmas to be all about, really.” So writes the Santa Cruz Sentinel of this most heartwarming holiday story. By chance, Kris Kringle, an old man in a retirement home, gets a job working as Santa for Macy’s. Kris unleashes waves of good will with Macy’s customers and the commercial world of New York City by referring parents to other stores to find exactly the toy their child has asked for. Seen as deluded and dangerous by Macy’s vocational counselor, who plots to have Kris shanghaied to Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital, Kris ends up in a court competency hearing. Especially at stake is one little girl’s belief in Santa. In a dramatic decision, the court confirms Kris as the true Santa, allowing Susan and countless other children to experience the joy of childhood fantasy.
The classic holiday story was first brought to the silver screen by Twentieth Century Fox in 1947 from the story by Valentine Davies, and starred a young Natalie Wood as Susan Walker, Maureen O’Hara as her mother Doris and Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle. The 1994 remake starred Dylan McDermott, Elizabeth Perkins and Sir Richard Attenborough. Theatre Bristol will be performing the stage version that is based on the classic and adapted by Mountain Community Theatre.
Auditions are set for Sunday, October 6th at 3:00pm and Monday, October 7th at 7:00. They will be held at Theatre Bristol, 506 State Street, Bristol, TN. The cast includes principal roles for a young girl (age 7 and up), 2 women, 3 men and 14 supporting roles for men or women and many extras including children (age 6 and up). All experience levels are encouraged to audition. No previous acting experience is necessary. No prepared material is needed. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Rehearsals will begin the week of October 13. For more information see the Theatre Bristol website or facebook page. Or call Theatre Bristol’s information line 423-383-5979.