The History Of ‘Miracle on 34th Street’
Doris: Would you please tell her that you’re not really Santa Claus, that actually is no such person?
Kris Kringle: Well, I hate to disagree with you, but not only IS there such a person, but here I am to prove it.
No Christmas is complete without watching this heartwarming tale at least once, and this year you can see it as a Broadway show in San Diego. Read today’s blog to learn the history of this Christmas classic, and then get Broadway tickets for you and your family! San Diego Musical Theatre will be performing “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play” Nov. 23–Dec. 23.
Plot
If it has been a while since you’ve seen this tale of Kris Kringle in 1940s America, we’ll fill you in on the plot.
Kris Kringle — yes, that’s his real name — finds the man who is supposed to play Santa in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade intoxicated. He complains to Doris Walker, who has Kris take the man’s place as Santa. Upon an excellent performance on Kris’ part, he’s hired to play Santa at Macy’s flagship New York City store — on 34th street. And that’s when the miracle begins.
Susan Walker, Doris’ daughter, was raised to not believe in fairy tales — including Santa Claus. Her neighbor, though, takes Susan to see the Santa her mother hired, and she becomes convinced he’s the real deal. Upon confrontation, he insists he is the real Santa Claus. Psychological evaluations ensue, and eventually Kris Kringle and the rest of the gang find themselves in court. We’re not going to give away the ending, though; you’ll just have to watch our Broadway show yourself to see how the story ends.
Adaptations
The film was released in 1947 with Maureen O’Hare, John Payne, Natalie Wood, and Edmund Gwenn as the primary actors. It was broadcast in 1947 as a radio production as well and starred the original cast. Since then, it has also been adopted into Broadway musical versions in the theatre, television adaptations in 1955, 1959, and 1973, and even as a puppet show at the flagship Macy’s Department Store in New York.
See “Miracle on 34th Street” In San Diego
Looking for musicals in San Diego? This holiday season you can’t go wrong with this Christmas tale that will make you believe. Here at the Horton Grand Theatre, we’ll be showing this tale in the tradition of a live 1940s-era radio broadcast. Based on the 1947 radio production, “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play” will transport you back in time and make even the most cynical of hearts believe in Jolly Ol’ Saint Nicholas once more.
With musical arrangements and original music by Jon Lorenz, the adaptation by Lance Arthur Smith, and the fantastic actors and singers from our Broadway theatre, it’s sure to be a festive, fun, and faith-restoring night in the Gaslamp Quarter. Buy tickets today to see this Broadway show in San Diego.
