The holiday season begins at Kelsey Theater with M & M Stage Productions presentation of the holiday classic “Miracle on 34th Street.” The family musical will be on stage weekends from Friday, November 21, to Sunday, November 30. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on November 21.
The cast includes Dan Slothower of Plainsboro as Shellhammer, West Windsor residents Dylan Katz as Thomas Mara Jr., and Makenna Katz and Jeanette Smith as ensemble members. Chris Szemis of Plainsboro is the stage manager.
The musical is based on the 1947 film that takes place between Thanksgiving and Christmas. A stage version came to Broadway in 1963, along with several versions for television. Filled with humor, spectacle, and songs such as “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas,” the show has become a holiday classic.
The character Doris Walker is an executive at Macy’s and the single mother of six-year-old Susan. A pragmatist, Doris has decided not to fill her daughter’s head with notions, including believing in Santa Claus. When Macy’s hires a new Santa for the holiday season, he is almost too good at his job as he listens to the dreams of little boys and girls. Could he possibly be the real Kris Kringle? Once the courts get involved, Santa’s fate and the very future of Christmas hang in the balance.
Miracle on 34th Street, Kelsey Theater, Mercer Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. $18. Weekends through Sunday, November 30. 609-570-3333. www.kelseytheatre.net.
