New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad is currently mounting a live radio play based on the 1947 movie “Miracle on 34th Street”. Adapted by Lance Arthur Smith with original songs (26 in all with advertising jingles, Christmas songs, 40’s harmonies a la The Andrew Sisters). With arrangements by Jon Lorenz and musical direction by E.Y. Washington, it is not only a live radio play, it is also a music and dancing show (Choreographer Luke H. Jacobs) with pretty basic moves singing and performing) in front of standing mic's all the way through. With a seven member ensemble playing multiple parts and a quick change of costume, all in period, (Janet Pitcher) that’s stage ready at the drop of a hat, New Village Arts hit the jackpot on this one.
Both movie and current adaptation carry the underlying message of believing in ourselves, having faith in ourselves and the world around us.
The musical play opens by introducing the players. On the top of the two tiered set (Michael Wogulis, lighting, Annelise Salazar, sound, Evan Eason, audio, Marcus Rico) are all the little noise making and technical goodies used by the announcer, Alex (Jaxon Smith) simulating a live radio show.
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| Tyler C .Jiles, Olivia Pence, Jaxon Smith, Sophia Larosh, |
One of the movers and shakers of the group is Doris Walker (Olivia Pence), an event coordinator at Macy’s and a recent divorcee who does not want to be hurt again by believing. Sadly, her mis-trust for people around her is seen in that attitude from her daughter, Susan (Lena Palke) and her next door neighbor and lawyer friend, Fred (Tylor C. Jiles).
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| Tylor C. Jiles, Lena Palke, Olivia Pence and Jaxon Smith |
When Macy’s Dept. store is looking for a Santa (the in store one has an affinity for too much booze), Doris is skeptical that a man calling himself Kris Kringle ( Durwood Murray) enters the picture. Now you tell me.
After some harsh interrogation by a so called interrogator, to get to the bottom of who Kringle actually is, (Dan Mason, playing several characters and sporting a German accent that is totally unnecessary and offensive in this setting,) Kringle is hired and then fired. But that’s not the end of this Kringle er Santa.
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| Lena Palke |
The talent runs deep in this setting as co-directors Faith Carrion and Kay Marian McNellen’s manage to gift us this holiday season a sense of believing even when the world outside is topsy-turvy.
Outstanding in her role of Doris, Olivia Pence has a voice as pure as gold. (“Melancholy Halls” and “Miracle” with Tyler C. Jiles ). The entire ensemble, Tyler C. Jiles, Sophia Larosh, Dan Mason, Durwood Murray, Lena Palke, Olivia Pence and Jaxon Smith do yeomen's work throughout.
Like the feel good feeling, happiness, they say is a state of mind as is the holiday Christmas, spreading good cheer to all. Over the course of the evening those of us in the audience surely picked up on that feeling and especially for someone who used to wear a tee shirt saying “BAH HUMBUG”. While Christmas is not my holiday, I can appreciate the message.
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| Partial view of the set |
See you at the theatre.
When: Playing through Dec. 22nd
Where: Ray Charles Stage in the Conrad Prebys Theatre
787 State Street, Carlsbad, CA,
Tickets: Start at $40.00
Photo: Olivia Pence
Box Office: 760.433.3245
When: Through Dec. 24th.
newvillagearts.org
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