Review: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET at Firehouse Theatre is full of festive charm!

Miracle on 34th Street

Adapted by Mountain Community Theater

From the novel by Valentine Davies

Based on the Twentieth Century Fox motion picture Miracle on 34th Street

Directed by Ashley Puckett Gonzalez

Produced by The Firehouse Theatre

Firehouse Theatre’s Miracle on 34th Street provides a heartwarming break from the busy holiday season. Adapted from the novel and film of the same name, the story centers on Kris Kringle, a gentleman hired to act as the Macy’s department store Santa Clause. His commitment to the role fills the city with the Christmas spirit – until skeptics force a trial to determine whether he is the real Santa.

As you enter Firehouse Theatre’s building, you are greeted by a festive front of house staff and directed through to a lobby featuring holiday themed concessions such as the "Elves’s Iced Cocoa" (non-alcoholic) or the "Naughty Santa" - a bourbon and cider based holiday cocktail giving cozy winter party vibes.  

This feeling continues into the theatre, where scenic design by Logan Uhtenwoldt and Maggie Sproul, simple in design but complex visually, gives the feeling that we are watching the story unfold in an actual Macy’s window. Warm lighting (Hank Baldree) and tastefully curated costumes (Dayna Dutton) and props (Ally Beans) maintain the ambiance throughout.

In a show that relies heavily on rotating through smaller ensemble groups to tell a somewhat complicated story, Director Ashley Puckett Gonzalez successfully conducts a large and diverse cast. The core family at the heart of the show features Randal McCasland as Kris Kringle, Johanna Nchekwube as the skeptical single mom Doris, Eliana Rivera as Doris’ equally skeptical young daughter Susan, and Blake Hametner as her neighbor Fred Gayley. 

Kris Kringle’s various champions and antagonists are played with engaging enthusiasm by each of Levi Skoog, Jenay Puekett, Dan Servetnick, Grace Harmon, David Moore, and Mark Eaglesham.

Larger scenes are tied together with interludes from an ensemble of Children and Elves, and the result is a well orchestrated symphony of holiday cheer. This particular adaptation is not a musical per se, but does incorporate popular holiday music and one particularly well placed dance break to great effect.

For anyone seeking a cozy, light-hearted pick me up that will leave you jollier than when you entered this is just the ticket!

Miracle on 34th Street continues through December 17, FirehouseTheatre.com for tickets and showtimes.

Audience Rating: G

Run Time: 2 hours 30 minutes, including a 15 minute intermission

Accessible Seating: Available 

Hearing Devices: Not Available

Sensory Friendly Performance: Not Available

Production Sound Level: Comfortable Volume 

Noises or Visuals to Prepare For: Nothing of Note

Cheers! 

Jenny