DO you believe in Santa Claus?
New Earswick Musical Society will be trying to prove his existence once and for all when performing Miracle On 34th Street, The Musical at Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, from Wednesday until Saturday.
Kris Kringle, played by Steve Tearle, takes on the sceptics among us in this musical adaptation of the holiday film favourite, wherein a white-bearded gentleman claiming to be the real Santa Claus brings about a genuine miracle in New York City.
Spreading a wave of love throughout the Big Apple, Kris Kringle fosters camaraderie between Macy’s and Gimbel’s department stores, as he convinces a divorced, cynical single mother (Jo Pears), her sombre daughter, Susan (Zoe Blenkiron), and the entire state of New York that Santa is no myth.
Susan will be the first principal role for Huntington School pupil Zoe in a New Earswick production, although she has appeared in such shows as Footloose and The Wizard Of Oz.
She will have two members of her family on stage with her for support. Dad Paul will play neighbour Fred Gaily, who has a romantic interest in her mother (Pears’s character), while little sister Gina will be Henrika, a young Dutch girl who visits Santa.
Watch out for society publicity officer Jonathan Hind in a cameo appearance as a milkman, but he is happy to put others in the spotlight, especially leading man Steve Tearle. “The role of Kris Kringle is a change for society stalwart Steve,” he says.
“In the past, he’s played the romantic lead in shows such as Carousel and High Society and he seems to be relishing challenge of playing the ultimate superhero.”
Directed by Ann MacCreadie, with Don Pears as musical director, the show features the Christmas favourite It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, as well as Big Clown Balloons, Here’s Love and Plastic Alligator.
New Earswick Musical Society, Miracle On 34th Street, Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, from Wednesday to Saturday; 7.30pm plus 2.30pm Saturday matinee. Tickets can be booked from Carol Richardson on 07759 260852 or online at newearswickmusicalsociety.co.uk
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