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caption, page 7:
‘Miracle’
Susan Walker, played by Lauria Lavallee, and Kris Kringle, played by Walter Wright, rehearse for “Miracle on 34th Street” that starts Dec. 6 at the Bradley Playhouse. Photo by Chris Atwood.
'Miracle on 34th'
starts Dec. 6
PUTNAM — Most of us are quite familiar with the nostalgic and beloved 1947 Christmas movie, Miracle on 34th Street. But did you know that the inspiration for the story, about a disillusioned woman, her skeptical daughter and a mysterious man who believes he is the real Santa Claus, came when Valentine Davies was standing in line at a big department store during the Christmas season?
The TNECT performance at the Bradley Playhouse on Front Street at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 21, and 22, Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays.
Each night two “Putnam Celebrity” guest performers will be featured as Lou and Al, U.S. mail workers, and local pianists will play live Christmas music.
For tickets go to the box office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday through Friday; by calling 860-928-7887 or online at https://www.thebradleyplayhouse.org .
The Davies “novelization” of the story was adapted into a play by the Mountain Community Theater in Ben Lomond, Calif.
The Bradley Playhouse “Miracle” is directed by Jennifer Briere, assisted by Tonya Brock. Performers include: Walter Wright as Kris Kringle, Kelly Lambert as Doris Walker, J. Matthew Bailey as Fred Gayley and Lauria Lavallee as Susan Walker. The Dec. 7 performance will feature music from Sally Rogers and Howie Bursen and the Dec. 21 performance will feature the Blackstone Valley Community Chorus.
The story takes place between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day in New York City, and focuses on the effect of a department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real Santa.
This is a tale that we all want to believe in, that creates a world we seem to desperately desire, free of blatant commercialism that surrounds us, where love and decency and generosity of spirit are their own rewards. In this heartwarming holiday story we find, by chance, Kris Kringle, an elderly gentleman, acquiring a job working as Santa for Macy’s Department store. Kris releases waves of good will by referring parents to other stores to find the exact toy their child has wished for. Seen as deluded and dangerous by the store’s vocational counselor, Kris ends up in a court competency hearing. In an innocent turn of events and truly magical moment, the Christmas Spirit is reclaimed.
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