Steadstyle Chicago
	November 2009 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff
	Miracle on 34th Street As the holidays quickly approach, many of the area theaters bring out the old tried and true Christmas plays, the plays that we have seen year after year after year.  Isn't it nice that Porchlight Music Theatre has decided to try something new, albeit a classical Christmas story, to their stage.  What they have done is taken the novel by Valentine Davies, "Miracle on 34th Street," which many of us recall in the movie version (there have been a few) and added music to it.  The new adaptation by Patricia Di Benedetto Snyder, Will Severin and John Vreeke continues to tell us the same story.  A white bearded new Santa Claus hire at Macy's claims to be the real Santa and spreads love and good will over all of New York.  He convinces his boss Doris Walker (the lovely Christa Buck) and her daughter Susan (played by the delightful Lany Kraus-Taddeo), both complete non-believers that they may have been wrong about Santa just being a myth. Porchlight, under the direction of L. Walter Stearns has condensed this story into roughly 85 minutes with no intermission and has added holiday songs throughout the show.  The music has been arranged by Jon Steinhagen and directed by Eugene Dizon and adds just the right touch to this family friendly story.  Anyone familiar with the movie version(s) know the story.  Kris Kringle aka Santa Claus goes to work at Macy's and tells customers where they can get what their kids want, even if not at Macy's.  The customers feel that this is a wonderful gesture on the part of Macy's and applaud them for this gesture, making Mr. Macy happy as business increases.  Others do not feel that this is possible and Mr. Sawyer, the staff psychologist sets out to prove that this man is a fraud and in fact out of his mind.  The courtroom proceedings where it must be proved that he is in fact either Santa or crazy is a bit shorter than I recall, but they do get their point expressed to bring us a happy ending. There is of course a love interest for Doris, Fred Gailey, a lawyer (sharply handled by Karl Hamilton) and as the curtain comes down (there is no real curtain on this wonderful set designed by  Ian Zywica but that is the term used for ending a show), Fred and Doris and Susan are now a family.  This is a wonderful little piece that should be around for many years, possibly as the annual holiday show at Porchlight.  I am sure that as the years go by, it will tighten and new songs will be added and cast changes will take place, but I think that as long as he is able, Jim Sherman should take on the role of Kris Kringle.  He has moved over from Bailiwick's "The Christmas Schooner" into this new role with all the warmth and kindness that one would expect this character to have and the glow in his eye is perfect and real. The ensemble plays an important part in a musical with many of the cast members taking on a multitude of roles.  Hats off to Rebecca Chicoine, Charlotte Van Ermen, Jim Heathery (his Judge Harper is a delight), Matthew Wilson Miles, James Nedrud, Clara Radtke, Alex Radtke, Amy Olsen, Chuck Sisson, Steve Tomlitz and rubber faced Rus Rainear who can play anything from a toy soldier to the nasty Mr. Sawyer.  This is an ensemble of small numbers that is large in talent.  While this is not a dancing show there are some wonderful moves by choreographer Annie Hackett, with a very special opening number where some of the toys come to life. During each scene change, the actors bring us holiday music with six wonderful musicians who make it sound like a full orchestra (Anthony Parsons, Matthew Sitz, Derek Weihofen, Vanessa Jayne, Gerald Bailey and conductor/pianist Tom King Clear).  The production is completed with the costumes by Jana Anderson, lighting by Gary C. Echelmeyer and some wonderful projections by Liviu Pasare.  While this may not be your favorite holiday story, it is a warm and loving tale that brings cheer to those who see it and something that can be enjoyed by the entire family. If you are unfamiliar with Porchlight Music Theatre, this is a small troupe that finds new talent on a regular basis and Stearns and Dizon put their hearts and souls into each production they take on.  Even when they are not the director or musical director of a show, we can see their imprint on the productions they bring to the stage at The Theatre Building Chicago.  With this much love in the work they do, and knowing that the actors who work for them share the same feelings, each show takes on something special that appeals to those sitting in the seats.  You cannot help but have an enjoyable experience at a Porchlight production! "Miracle" will continue through the holiday season ending on January 3rd of 2010.  Performances are Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m.  Tickets are $40 with discounts for students and seniors and can be purchased at The Theatre Building Chicago box office located at 1225 W. Belmont Ave., by phone at 773-327-5252 or online at www.TicketMaster.com.  Have yourself a very Merry Christmas and enjoy a new theatrical experience with Porchlight's "Miracle on 34th Street".  Stay after the story ends and your kids can meet a special visitor.  Guess who?   About Alan Bresloff Alan Bresloff, once an actor himself, has been covering the Chicago Theater Scene since 1993, first as the Theater and Arts critic for LaRaza newspaper, then with Salsachicago.com and then onto Extra Newspaper and The Epoch Times.  He also writes for ElImparcial and TeleGuia.  His reviews can also be seen on www.theatreinchicago.com.  Alan does not call himself a "critic" but a "reviewer" as he tries to educate the reader about theater itself, what is a good value, what to look for in a play or musical and more.  "Exposure to theater is a very important part of a young person's life" he says. "Learning about the arts and culture is in fact learning about life" and he tries to explain more in his reviews than just if it is good or bad.  Even some of the poor productions have some value, he often says and he would love your feedback on shows that you have seen.  You can write him here or at albresloff@sbcglobal.net.