Holiday classics and local talent abound this season in regional theaters. The New York State Theater Institute will perform Miracle on 34th Street, while the Schenectady Civic Players and the Classic Theatre Guild of Voorheesville will present `A Christmas Story.
`It was a gift to us,` said Patricia DiBennedetto Snyder, producing artistic director of NYSTI of their successful petitioning of Harcourt Brace for the rights to adapt Valentine Davies’ book `Miracle on 34th Street.` Snyder, Will Severin and John Vreeke adapted the play for the NYSTI stage.
The excitement, anticipation and hope of Christmas through the eyes of a child against the backdrop of parental reserve and admonition are central themes in both of these holiday classics.
`Miracle` opens as the Macy’s parade Santa arrives stumbling and inebriated. Retiree Kris Kringle is enlisted on the spot to fill in, and is later hired to work in the store as Santa. His non-commercial holiday spirit first gets him into trouble and then wins him accolades, but always leaves his colleagues annoyed by and skeptical of his insistence on the truth of Santa Claus and a faith that believes in more than common sense.
His practical boss, Doris Walker, is determined that her daughter Susan will not believe in such an irrational myth as Santa Claus. However, Kris’ winning ways, strong faith in life’s intangibles and clear sense of identity win Susan’s heart. A climactic courtroom scene makes the case that Santa is as real as one’s belief makes him.
Emma Parsons, a native Londoner, will make her first appearance with NYSTI as Doris Walker, Susan’s `realistic` mother. Alison Lehane, an eighth-grader at Maple Avenue Middle School in Saratoga Springs, plays Susan Walker.
`She is so much fun,` says Alison of disbelieving Susan. NYSTI’s John Romeo plays Kris Kringle; David Baecker plays Fred Gaily. Natalie Carter plays the role of Cleo, housekeeper for Doris and Susan; John McGuire is Mr. Shellhammer and Joel Aroeste is Mr. Gimbel and Judge Harper.
The show opens Saturday, Dec. 8 and runs through Thursday, Dec. 20 at the Schacht Fine Arts Center on the Russell Sage Campus in Troy. Tickets are $20. for adults, $16. for senior citizens and students, and $10. for children up to age 12. Call 274-3256 or visit www.nysti.org for information.
You’ll shoot your eye out
On Wednesday, Dec. 7 both the Schenectady Civic Players and the Classic Theater Guild of Voorheesville will perform `A Christmas Story.`
This well-known movie reels you into the world of Ralphie Parker, a boy in search of the ultimate Christmas gift, `an official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock and ‘this thing’ which tells time.`
Ralphie will go to pretty much any length to get his hands on this Red Ryder BB gun, despite numerous adult admonitions of `you’ll shoot your eye out.` From fibs about spotting a dangerous animal in the neighborhood to blurting his desire outright, Ralphie tries it all.
`Christmas is about tradition,` said Debbie May, director of Schenectady Civic Players presentation. `The adaptation of the movie into a play was intended to give families a chance to create and perpetuate a new tradition of going to the theatre to see ‘A Christmas Story.’ We have this kid who plays bully Scott Farcus who is just terrific. It is a wonderful chance to see these kids grow and develop.
Ralphie is played by Jacob Nuding and Scott Farcus is played by Chucky Clew.
The show runs Friday, Dec. 7 through Sunday, Dec. 16 at the Schenectady Civic Playhouse, 12 Church St., Schenectady. Adult tickets are $15. and student tickets are $13.
Steve Suriano, director of Classic Theater Guild’s presentation of `A Christmas Story` is taken by the subtler intricacies of the story. `The lead character is actually the narrator of the story. It is the voice of Jean Shepherd,` Suriano said. `Ralphie as an adult is played by the Guild’s Paul Nooney.`
Colum Cross, a sixth grader at Guilderland’s Farnsworth Middle School, plays Ralphie Parker as a child, Richard Cross, Colum’s dad, plays `The Old Man.`
Criss Macaione plays the mom and Jane Nielson plays the teacher.
`These kids are really talented. They are not impersonating the movie characters; they are using them as the basis and are developing their own characters,`Suriano said. `Every fantasy that Ralphie has in the movie shows up on stage.`
Opening night is Friday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12. for adults and $9. for 12 years and younger. Reservations are recommended, at 356-3197. The show runs through Saturday, Dec. 15. Old Songs is located at 37 South Main St. in Voorheesville. “