Wyside Theater Presents THE MIRACLE ON 34th STREET, Opens 11/29

Warner Crocker, Artistic Director of Wayside Theatre announced today the 2009 holiday season musical production is The Miracle on 34th Street. The book is written by Warner Crocker, lyrics and music by Steve Przybylski. Also, they are director and musical director, respectively. The production of Miracle on 34th Street is sponsored by McDonald's, Country Inn and Suites, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and Bruce, Renner and Wilfong, LTD.

The play is set in New York City. Where a white-beaded gentleman claiming to be the real Santa Claus brings about a genuine "Miracle on 34th Street," spreading a wave of love throughout New York City, fostering camaraderie between Macy's and Gimbel's Department Stores, and convincing a divorced, cynical single mother, her somber daughter and the entire State of New York that Santa Claus is no myth.

This year's cast will be highlighted by Wayside audience favorites which will share the role James Fleming (Driving Miss Daisy, The Killer Angel, A Christmas Story, Black Coffee) and Bob Payne (Cotton Patch Gospel, God's Man in Texas, Smoke on the Mountain) as everyone's favorite Kris Kringle

They will be joined by a cast (veterans to our stage and newcomers) that shares roles which includes Thomasin Savaiano (Man of La Mancha, Smoke on the Mountain, Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure) and Aviva Pressman (Man of La Mancha, and Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure) as Doris, David Maga (Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure, Smoke on the Mountain trilogy, The Killer Angels, and Southern Crossroads) and Alex Sheets as Fred; Emma Bott and Logan Trask as Susan. They are joined by Matt Baldoni (A Christmas Carol, Romeo and Juliet, Unnecessary Farce), Jayson Belew (Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure, Lee and Brown, Man of La Mancha), Richard Follett (Smoke on the Mountain trilogy, A Christmas Carol, A Christmas Story), Nick Nerangis (A Christmas Story, It's A Wonderful Life: The Radio Show, A Christmas Carol), Randy Niles, Dacia Dick ( Southern Crossroads, A Christmas Carol, and Unnecessary Farce), Leslie Bradley, Lori Staley, Esther Covington, Denim Petit, Cody Murphy (Man of La Mancha, Lee & Brown, and Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure), Ricky Hesson (A Christmas Carol, Romeo and Juliet,), John Skolits, James Laster (Gin Game, A Christmas Carol, and Black Coffee) Doug Saffell (Black Coffee, A Christmas Carol, and Miracle on 34th Street) , Sarah Blackwell (A Christmas Carol, and It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Show), Jessica Gustafson, and Kim Steenson (A Christmas Carol) round out the dual adult cast. Each year's production features a cast of local children. This year's young people in the cast include Brandon Shockey, Myah Bales, Alexandria Hicks, Jacob Adams, Josh Shelor, Sarah Millard, Siobhan Bott, Julia Shaffer, Forrest Limon and Tyler Plazio.

The Set design is by Til Turner, Costume co-designed by Tamara Carruthers and Catherine Lovejoy, and chorography by Heather Reid.

Warner Crocker said, "We are excited to bring the magic of Miracle on 34th Street to Wayside's stage. The validation of the magic of Christmas is established each time we enjoy this holiday treat. Families come together to see the holiday productions year in and year out. Families also participate in the production. There is a terrific blend of professional actors and local performers. The only word I can use to describe the atmosphere at the theatre during this show may seem like a cliché, but that word is magical."

Miracle on 34th Street will begin performances on November 28 with an Opening Night scheduled for Sunday, November 29 at 6:30 pm. It will run through Sunday, December 27; closed Christmas Day. Performances are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:30 PM and Sunday evening at 6:30 PM. On Wednesday and Thursday, December 23 and 24th there will be 2:30 PM matinees. Some performances are sold out. Tickets for Miracle on 34th Street are $30 for Friday and Saturday evening performances and $25 for all other performances, Children 5 to 17 years old can attend any performance for $10. Senior and Student discounts are available upon request, as well as group discounts. There will be two speciAl Priced performances on Saturday November 28 at 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM.

Call to reserve your tickets at (540) 869-1776 so you and your family will experience, enjoy and become part of the wonderful Shenandoah Valley Holiday Tradition.

Wayside Theatre is the second oldest theatre in the Shenandoah Valley and is celebrating its 48th season of presenting high quality professional entertainment. Single tickets, subscription packages and group packages can be obtained by calling the box office at (540) 869-1776. Additional information can be obtained on the theatre's website at www.waysidetheatre.org. Wayside Theatre is located in Middletown, Virginia on Route 11, Main Street, just north of the intersection of I-66 and I-81.