TheatreAddict.com - Bakersfield Drama Blog

This time, 'Miracle' is on 19th Street
By Camille Gavin

"Miracle on 34th Street" was a hit with the sold-out house at Spotlight Theatre at last Friday's opening night. Roger Mathey, the director, told theater-goers at a pre-performance party that the show's main message is the importance of having faith -- to believe in something, no matter what one's particular religion is.

Serious as that sounds, the show itself is fast-paced, funny and sparked by engaging performances by John Fowler, as a very believable Kris Kringle, and Amelia Egland, as a cynical little girl who scorns the world of make-believe.

There's a bit of romance too, provided by Abby Chapin, playing a hard-boiled career woman, and Joshua Hensley, Kringle's defense lawyer, who pucker up for a couple of fairly innocent but long-lasting onstage kisses.

The show is set in the 1940s and costumed appropriately for that period. Based on a novel by Patricia Di Benedetto Snyder, it tells the story of a man who is hired by Macy's Department Store in New York to play Santa Claus. Problems develop when Santa, who believes he really is Santa, begins sending customers to Gimbel's, Macy's competitor.

To add to the aura of make-believe -- and making props pretty much unnecessary -- still photos depicting specific locations are projected on a backdrop that's framed as if it were a giant picture.

COME SEE FOR YOURSELF!

Thursdays - Saturdays at 8pm
Sundays at 2pm

Tickets for this event are $18 for general admission, $15 for students, seniors, and active military.

Save $3 by getting your tickets a day in advance of the performance!

The Spotlight Theatre is located at 1622 19th Street, downtown Bakersfield.

Call 661 634 0692 for more information or to make reservations.

Labels: Articles, Spotlight Theatre

posted by TheatreAddict.com  # 10:50 AM