Sarah Helzer (Susan Walker), June Scott (Doris Walker), Gerry Wiess (Kris Kringle) and Ben Saylor (Fred Gailey) take the stage in the Huntington Playhouse production of “Miracle on 34th Street,” which runs through Dec. 21. (Photo credit: Tom Meyrose/Huntington Playhouse)

Huntington shows real Santa Claus in holiday show
By Art Thomas
Insights
Published Dec. 3, 2008

“Miracle on 34th Street” was a novel, then a movie, and, more recently, a play. Currently on stage at Bay Village’s Huntington Playhouse, the show is a cute look at whether there is a Santa Claus or not.

On one level, “Miracle on 34th Street” attempts to show us what the true meaning of Christmas is. Apparently it’s material goods from department stores and Santa Claus. Later, when we get more into the human issues, the miracle of Christmas is revealed to be satisfying relationships in a nice new home.

Chris Kringle is being evicted from his old folks home because he is delusional. He thinks he is Santa Claus. Where better to get a job than at Macy’s where a drinking Santa has just been fired? The “real” Santa upsets Macy’s toy buyer by suggesting to parents that they can get the exact toys their children request not at Macy’s, but at FAO Schwartz, or even, gasp, Gimbals. Soon the newspapers pick up on this “true” spirit of Christmas, and Chris is hailed as a hero.

Scheming store psychologists suggest that Santa is off his rocker, and act one ends with Chris being trundled up and sent to Bellevue, New York’s hospital for loonies.

Act two recreates the famous movie trial in which it must be decided whether Santa exists or not, and, surprise, not only does the court affirm that Santa does exist, but also that our Chris Kringle is in fact the one true Santa.

Sorry to sound Scroogish.

In the Huntington production, Gerry Weiss is a genial and authentic-looking Santa.  He has a cheery laugh, takes his role seriously, and is a delight to watch on stage. His machinations makes young Susan, brought up by a no nonsense mom, see the magic of Christmas. Meanwhile, a nice lawyer (yes, this is a fantasy), brings Susan’s mom, Doris, to understand the importance of the season by taking a house with him. To show there’s no hard feelings, Santa buys an X-ray machine for the doctor who booted him from the senior home. Everyone lives happily ever after.

I saw “Miracle on 34th Street” at the final dress rehearsal through the courtesy of director Judith Mazur. In addition to the Santa character, this production has some warm moments. A quartet of children are cute and energetic. Jim Jason is a withered and intense Mr. Macy. David Hundertmark is the pressured judge who must make a ruling on the existence of Santa, and Assad Khaishgi among other ensemble members is everywhere; first as a zookeeper, then a reporter, and later a doctor.

“Miracle on 34th Street” moves seamlessly from one scene to another, and there are dozens in the first act alone. It won’t win any “best production” awards, but it is a good introduction to theater for families, especially those with pre-teens.

“Miracle on 34th Street” runs weekends through Dec. 21. 

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