Photo Flash: The Most Famous Editorial Line Comes to Life at the Heights Players

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" may be the most famous line ever written in a newspaper editorial. And this holiday season, the Heights Players Theater for Children, in conjunction with Macy's, will bring the story of that most famous line to life in Yes, Virginia, The Musical. Opening this Saturday, December 12, it is a magical story filled with holiday cheer that the entire family will enjoy!

Yes, Virginia, The Musical tells the true story of 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon and her curiosity about the existence of Santa Claus. Virginia loves Christmas. But then one day, her classmates bring up the age-old question, "Is there a Santa Claus?"

Virginia doesn't know what to believe so she ventures into New York City to find out for herself. Along the way, she consults some unusual characters: a scraggly Santa ringing a bell, an excitable librarian with a shelf full of Christmas books, and her quirky doctor father. Unable to find the answers she's looking for, Virginia writes to The New York Sun newspaper. Her letter makes its way to the desk of curmudgeonly editor Francis Church, who has better things to do than respond to a little girl's questions. But through Virginia's determination (and a little help from a scraggly Santa), Mr. Church is persuaded to write his answer ... an answer that becomes the most famous newspaper editorial of all time.

Yes, Virginia, The Musical was created by Macy's as part of its annual holiday Believe campaign, which supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Encouraging children of all ages to drop their stamped letter to Santa at their local stores, Macy's donates $1, up to $1 million, for every letter received to Make-A-Wish, helping to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Yes, Virginia, The Musical was created and produced by Macy's and JWT in conjunction with The Ebeling Group and MEC Entertainment, a division of Mediaedge:cia. Yes, Virginia, The Musical was adapted from Chris Plehal's animated special and storybook by Wesley Whatley (music) and William Schermerhorn (book and lyrics), the Emmy Award-winning creative team behind the original song "Yes Virginia (There Is A Santa Claus)."

The Heights Players Theater for Children's production of Yes, Virginia, The Musical, is directed by Dina Grilli, musically directed by David Thomas Cronin with musical accompaniment by Matthew Martin (Ghostlight co-writer). The company will present this very special show on Saturday, December 12th and Saturday, December 19th, with two shows each day - one at noon and another at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 and reservations can be made by emailing TheaterforChildren@heightsplayers.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.