Photo Flash: Hershey Area Playhouse Presents MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET

Just in time for the holiday season, Hershey Area Playhouse is proud to present Miracle on 34th Street, a favorite and timeless holiday classic for all ages.

Miracle on 34th Street is a familiar story that follows a nice old man who is institutionalized as insane for claiming to be Santa Claus. A young lawyer decides to defend him by arguing in court that he is the real thing.

"This movie has become part and parcel of families' Christmas celebrations for nearly 70 years," said Miracle on 34th Street director Lois Heagy. "We've tried to capture some of the innocence of the original, but brought it forward into the 1950s, when the country was just coming out of the Korean War, and the baby boom was in full swing.

Bringing this holiday classic to life, lead cast members of Miracle on 34th Street include: Harry Menear as Kris Kringle; Kristi Hill as Doris Walker; Joshua Wilkinson as Fred Gayley; and Kelsey Cartee/Elaine Blacker as Susan Walker.

Additional cast members include: Charlotte Caples; Judy Dezagottis; Kurt Dise; Carly Evans; Madelynn Fielder; Rebecca Hallman; Alexander Hatt; Isabella Hatt; Laura Hatt; June Hoak; Kelly Horney; Madeline Horney; Ada Howard; Madison Kearns; Lorie Kimmel; Robert Kopko; Rachel Koppenhaver; Julia McBride; Joe Owsley; Morgan Owsley; Jim Panyard; Jude Petersen; Laurie Miller Petersen; RyAnn Rossi; Renee Seibel; Grace Signor; Mike Stubbs; Donna Testa; Lucy Trout; Leah Wiener; Sammy Wiener; Sarah Wiener; Sophia Wilkinson; and Elizabeth Zachary.

In addition to Heagy, production staff members for Miracle on 34th Street include: Jill Panyard, producer; David Maletz, stage manager; Jeff Miller and Carlton Hoke, set design and construction; Jilly Harris, set dresser; Linda Pagliarulo, costume designer; and Renee Howard and Robyn Swayne; props mistresses.

Experience the heartwarming tale of Miracle on 34th Street, running Dec. 1-4 and Dec. 8-11, 2016. Thursday through Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday performances begin at 2 p.m. Note: A "Milk and Cookies with Santa" event will follow the Dec. 4 matinee. Any children in the audience will be able to sit on Santa's lap and have their picture taken. A free will offering will be taken for photos. Homemade cookies, milk and punch will be served along with a time to meet and greet the characters in the show.

Tickets are $20 for teens/adults and $17 for kids ages 12 and under. Tickets are available by visiting www.HersheyAreaPlayhouse.com or by calling The Playhouse's box office at 717-533-8525.