Center Stage at Southampton Cultural Center will present Lance Arthur Smith and Jon Lorenz’s “Miracle on 34th Street, A Live Musical Radio Play” on December 3 through December 12 in Southampton Cultural Center’s Levitas Center for the Arts.
“Miracle on 34th Street” is a 1947 American Christmas comedy-drama film released by 20th Century Fox, written and directed by George Seaton and based on a story by Valentine Davies. The film stars Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood, and Edmund Gwenn. 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. The film has become a perennial Christmas favorite.
“Miracle on 34th Street” won three Academy Awards: Gwenn for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Valentine Davies for Best Writing, Original Story, and George Seaton for Best Writing, Screenplay. In 2005, the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.” The Academy Film Archive preserved “Miracle on 34th Street” in 2009.
“Miracle on 34th Street, A Live Musical Radio Play” is adapted from the 1947 Lux Radio Broadcast and adapted by Lance Arthur Smith with original lyrics, music and arrangements by Jon Lorenz. Michael Disher directs this live musical radio version of the beloved classic and Amanda Jones musically directs. SCC presents through special arrangements with Stage Rights.
“I am thrilled to be returning and continuing this holiday tradition that has always been very special to me,” said Disher. “The holidays are a gift, particularly this year, and the opportunity to sit, smile, and laugh together is a miracle. Featuring our greatest technology – imagination, the story transports us to a humbler and more innocent time through sounds and spoken word.”
The show features Daniel Becker, Mary Sabo, Jack Seabury, Susan Cincotta, Joey Giovingo, Christopher Tyrkko, Michaal Lyn Schepps, John Lovett, Amanda Jones, Michael Casper and introduces Emma Hand.
“Miracle on 34th Street, a Live Musical Radio Play” is sponsored in part by Stony Brook Southampton Hospital.
Performance times are Fridays at 7 PM, Saturdays at 2 and 7 PM, and Sundays at 2 and 5 PM. General Admission Tickets are $25 and Children’s Tickets (under 21) are $20. All tickets are available at www.scc-arts.org or by calling 631 287-4377.