Shire Music Theatre has announced its second production for 2018.
Miracle on 34th Street will be shown on stage at Sutherland School of Arts in October, after a successful production of Camp Rock! The Musical was completed in April.
The production is based off the 1947 film of the same name, which was re-made most recently in 1994.
Rod Herbert plays an elderly man named Kris Kringle, who gains popularity among children and adults alike after Mr R.H. Macy (Neil Litchfield) gives him a job to dress up as Santa at a Macy’s department story in Manhattan.
He comes across a young girl named Susan (Gabrielle Dagger), who doesn’t believe in Santa and rejects the magic of Christmas due to her mother’s no-nonsense attitude. Kris Kringle decides to prove to Susan that Santa is real, and Christmas is magical.
As other people interpret him as being ‘crazy’, Kringle is forced to see Mrs Sawyer (Jamie Lee Kemp), a psychologist who is determined to have him sent to Bellevue Hospital.
Doris Walker (Louise Jaques) arranges for Judge Grout (Donna Brotherson) to conduct a competency hearing to determine Kringle’s sanity and ensure he retains his job.
Fred Gaily (Dean Irwin), a former military man who is studying law, represents Kringle in the hope of gaining the interest of Walker.
Director Michael Astill has put together an ensemble of more than 40 people to star in the production.
With the help of choreographer Nikki Newman and musical director Lizzie Bridges, the cast will put on eight shows in the lead up to the Christmas period.
Shows will be held on Friday October 12, Saturday October 13, Wednesday October 17, Friday October 19, Saturday October 20 and Sunday October 21 at 8pm.
Matinees will also be shown at 2pm on Saturday October 13 and Sunday October 14.
Tickets are available online.
