'Miracle On 34th Street' A must-see holiday treat in the Hamptons

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — “Faith is believing in things even when common sense tells you not to.”

The series has been one of the most loved and well-known holiday movie favorites for generations. And now, as “Miracle on 34th Street, A Live Music Radio Play” unfolds at the Southampton Cultural Center, those words are heard by a subdued crowd with tears in their faces and joy in their eyes as they sit in the presence of such a miracle on stage as well as in real, wonderful life.

It's fitting that East End favorite director Michael Benton Disher marks his next chapter on the artistic canvas in Southampton with this production—his triumphant return to the stage after a battle with cancer and brain surgery is the stuff of any uplifting holiday film . he said. Except this time, it's real.

And the appreciative audience that greets Disher with hearty hugs and big smiles is clearly well aware of the miracle that just happened at 25 Pond Lane in Southampton — as a man who has long been an iconic part of the East End arts scene returns with this glorious , lavish, gem of a production at the Cultural Center, his longtime theatrical home.

The show, adapted from the 1947 radio show Lux by Lance Arthur Smith, features original songs and a cover by Jon Lorenz.

At a time when the world is tired and often, devoid of hope after months of fighting the pandemic, with ratings marked by defeats, a good miracle, sometimes and for many, seemed a very distant dream. But in this production, which sparkled with life and talent, suddenly, hope begins to swell.

The show is a treat as the actors recreate an old radio show, complete with music, commercials and flashing lights prompting the audience to clap or take a break. The cool, light-hearted return to the radio show format transports audiences back to a simpler time, when innocence could be found in the warm eyes of a jolly old man in a red suit as he teaches a toddler to make monkey noises and believe he can there are snowballs in the summer.

“I'm a big fan of the radio show format, the holidays and the nostalgia that comes with it,” Disher said. “I couldn't think of a better time and title to return to the reins of a production.”

The show has been perfected: Daniel Becker as Kris Kringle, his voice soft, fits the role as comfortably as a worn Santa suit, stepping into it with ease and care as he shoulders the responsibility of giving young children something to believe in. a world where this has become much more difficult than ever since 1947.

Mary Sabo brings to life the incomparable Doris Walker in a quiet cloak of responsibility worn as armor to protect against broken dreams and post-divorce promises. Her transformation as her eyes once again begin to reflect the first flickers of confidence in the arms of Fred Gailey, played with hopeful innocence by Jack Seabury, is a testament to the new beginnings born, if only one is there to believe.

And above all, when someone believes in you.

Emma Hand as Susan Walker is a youthful force, captivating the audience as her early cynicism melts like so much winter snow in the face of Kris Kringle's determination to instill a sense of wonder and buy her a ticket to “Imagine-Nation “.

Imbuing a child with imagination is perhaps the greatest gift not just at Christmas but always, and that message shines through in every word, every verse of this magical production.

Every actor in this gem of a show shines as brightly as Susan Walker's ruby ​​velvet dress: Christopher Tyrkko is a suave Mr. Macy whose focus on the almighty dollar makes him Kris Kringle's most ardent supporter. And Richard Adler handles a cast of characters with wonder.

Amanda Jones musically directs and the audience respond to the poignant score, humming and happily singing Christmas carols behind their masks, excited to share in the joy of live theater after the long months of coronavirus that have left the stages dark.

Now, more than ever, the show resonates, Disher said.

“The holidays are a gift, especially this year, and the opportunity to sit and smile and laugh together is a miracle,” Disher said. “Using our greatest technology – imagination, the story transports us to a more humble and innocent time through sounds and spoken words.”

Reflecting on his journey and what it means to return to the theater, Disher was candid. “I know and I knew I wasn't done. I have more stories to tell. I have more stage pictures to create.”

On stage, of course, despite the best efforts of a villain played with diabolical perfection by John Lovett, Kris Kringle is vindicated, mailbags from children all over the world, a testament to the fact that Santa Claus is, indeed, real. Susan Walker gets her dream colonial home and her happy ending as Doris Walker finds her second chance in the safe arms of Mr. Galey. And the public has been left with something sorely lacking in the last months of the pandemic – hope.

“Maybe there are miracles all year long,” the lyrics go.

Seeing Disher's face reflected in the stage lights, marking his glorious directorial return to his life's purpose after a grueling battle for survival, nothing could be more wonderfully real. In the words of Sabo's Doris Walker: “I believe.”

“Miracle On 34th Street, A Live Musical Play” runs at the Center Stage Theater at Southampton Cultural Center's Levitas Center for the Arts through Sunday. The show is sponsored in part by Stony Brook Southampton Hospital.

Showtimes are Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

General admission tickets are $30 and children's tickets (under 21) are $20. All tickets are available at www.scc-arts.org or by calling 631 287-4377.