By TR Robertson
Moonlight Stage Productions is presenting their first holiday production in the 40-year history of producing amazing, uplifting, quality entertainment for theatre lovers of all ages. Currently on the Avo Theatre stage in Downtown Historic Vista is “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play”, adapted from the 1947 Lux Radio Broadcast heard in New York City. The adaptation was written and designed by playwright and actor Lance Arthur Smith. The original radio broadcast in 1947 was an hour-long adaptation of the 1947 Oscar winning film, “Miracle on 34th Street”. Smith’s play is a little longer but will still take you back in time when listening to the radio in the evenings was a national past-time. I remember growing up and listening to a Saturday evening radio serial at Christmas time involving the kidnapping of Santa to stop Christmas. The ½ hour program ran every Saturday up to Christmas Eve when Santa would be miraculously rescued, and Christmas would be saved.
Lance Arthur Smith is the husband of Colleen Kollar Smith, who is the Executive Producer of Moonlight Amphitheatre and the director and choreographer of the Musical Radio Play. She formerly was the executive director at San Diego Musical Theatre, where under her direction, husband Lance and composer Jon Lorenz took the story from the movie “Miracle on 34th Street” and inspiration from the 1947 radio version of the movie to create an authentic version of the original Lux broadcast. This show would premiere at the Horton Grand Theatre in San Diego in December 2016. I was fortunate to see this production and loved every minute of this nostalgic trip back in time. You will love the production Moonlight is staging through December 23rd at The Avo Theatre in Historic Downtown Vista.
The original movies premise is a simple story of the workings of a kindly older man who calls himself Kris Kringle and his relationship and interaction with a variety of people he encounters as a Macy’s Department Store Santa. It is a story of love, friendship, belief, and inspiration.
Moonlight’s Avo Theatre production combines ten talented cast members, several veteran Moonlight performers, several making their Moonlight Theatre debut. Most of the performers play multiple roles in the play/musical both as radio personalities and as characters from the “Miracle on 34th Street” story. As the radio personalities they combine for beautiful presentations of classic Christmas songs and for radio ad spots using the Moonlight season sponsors in jingle style numbers. Staring in the production are John W. Wells III as Alex Mialdo the shows narrator; Zane Camacho as Wallace Ainsely and portraying numerous other characters including amusing portrayals of Mr. Macy and Mr. Gimbel; Jazley Genovese as Olivia Glatt; Rudy Martinez as Grady Williams; Jenna Lea Rosen as Cordelia Ragsdale recently staring as Belle in Moonlight’s “Beauty and the Beast”; Ava Noelle Mendoza as Gracie DeMarco also making her Moonlight debut; Ralph Johnson as Kristofer van Lisberg and Kris Kringle and performing in Moonlight productions for the past 23 years; Morgan Carberry as Miranda Lane the musical accompanist and foley artist providing all of the sound effects and Jake Bradford and Gerilyn Brault as Swings.
Along with the play/musical adaptation by Lance Arthur Smith and director and choreography by Colleen Kollar Smith, Jon Lorenz provides original lyrics, music, arrangements, and music direction. Scenic Design is by Michael McKeon and Properties design by Bonnie Durben as a classically designed K-Moon Radio studio provides the scene for the performance. Technical Director and Lighting Designer is Jennifer Edwards, Sound Designer Brandon Boomizad, Costume Designer Courtney Park, Hair and Wig Designer Peter Herman, Assistant Director and Choreographer Xavier J. Bush, Assistant Music Director Morgan Carberry, Sound Mixer Jordan Gray, Stage Manager Topaz Cooks and Assistant Stage Manager Jake Bradford.
The intimate setting of The Avo Theatre provides a perfect atmosphere for the audience to sit back and be up close and personal to the performers. This is a classic Holiday story and a chance to step back in time to the days of radio, complete with Applause signs, as well as a wonderful way to enjoy classic Christmas music, a festive holiday tale and a way to get in the holiday spirit.
“Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play” will run through December 23rd at 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays; 4 and 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. There will be additional performances at 7 p.m. on Dec. 20-23. Tickets are priced at $37 to $47. The Avo Theatre is located at 303 Main St. in Downtown Historic Vista. Tickets can be purchased at 760-724-2110 or go to www.moonlightstage.com. Proof of full COVID vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within 72 hours of showtime is required. Masks indoors are required.
