Miracle on 34th Street

Reviewed by Lara J. Altunian
Pasadena Playhouse
Through December 23

RECOMMENDED

Miracle on 34th Street premiered on the big screen 70 years ago and was immediately adapted by Lux Radio Theatre Broadcast into a radio play. Since then the film, a Christmas classic, has been remade several times, its various productions serving as fodder for holiday-themed Jeopardy questions. This year a version has been revived at the Pasadena Playhouse, where a powerful cast transports viewers back in time by simulating a World War II era radio show.

Set in New York City, the story, by Valentine Davies, is fairly well-known: a Macy’s department store Santa claims to be the real deal, and is put on trial for insanity. This production, with its exquisite attention to detail, features every character in period costume, and uses household objects from that time period to create the sound effects that bring the play to life. Cameron Watson’s direction adds a realistic touch to the whimsy. This includes dividing the production into three distinct acts and interrupting each with commercials featuring comic advertisements about Lux Flakes, a popular soap brand from back in the day (which can also be used to make fake snow for your Christmas tree!). Yvette Caron (who also plays the judge) skillfully sings traditional carols; slides displaying simple mid-century office, street and home backgrounds completes the effect.

Most of the actors play multiple characters, adding funny twists to some of their voices and keeping the tale lighthearted while furnishing the audience with a few extra laughs as they run back and forth between the microphones to keep up the illusion of being different people. Alfred Molina is as fatherly and warm as one would imagine the “real” Kris Kringle to be. He plays off young Cecilia Witt’s disbelieving Susan Walker well — you can feel her warming up to his character, though their movements are limited by their need to speak directly into the vintage microphone. Peri Gilpin as the initially-stiff Doris Walker and Larry Poindexter as charming Fred Gailey vibrantly show off their characters’ development, especially evident in Gilpin’s voice, which softens with each passing scene. Jim Rash, however, is the most entertaining to watch as he quickly switches from an elderly Mr. Macy to a whiny psychoanalyst and finally to a direct and no-nonsense assistant DA multiple times. He continually converses with himself and displays a wide range of facial expressions to complement each supporting character.

Miracle on 34th Street is a delightful change from the more commonly staged Christmas Carol and Nutcracker productions featured every year. Its universally heartwarming message and clever presentation is spirited enough to introduce a younger generation, who may not be familiar with the story, to a fine tale about faith, utilizing a medium that, though enjoying a revival, will never again be the same as it was eight decades ago.

Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena; Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Wed., Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m.; through Dec. 23. (626) 356-7529 or https://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/tickets-events/. Running time: 80 minutes with no intermission.