Posted by Based on one of the most popular and best-loved Christmas films of all time, Miracle on 34th Street will tour the UK for the first time in a dazzling new stage production, opening at the Beck Theatre, Hayeson Monday 11th November 2013.
Based on the 1947 motion picture, Miracle on 34th Street is the heart-warming story of Susan, a young girl who dreams of a father and brother to make her family whole, and Kris Kringle, a kindly old bearded man who claims he is the real Santa Claus. When employed as a Santa at a department store grotto, Kris quickly spreads a wave of love through New York City, but can he help make Susan’s wish come true? This all-singing all-dancing musical adaptation is an uplifting family tale of battling cynicism and learning what it truly means to believe.
The production will star Genevieve Nicole as Doris, Dan Fletcher as Fred, Poppy Carter as Susan and James Murphy as Kris Kringle.
Genevieve Nicole most recently appeared in A Chorus Line at the London Palladium. Other recent credits include: Velma in the UK Tour of Chicago, Spamalot at the Palace Theatre and the UK Tour of White Christmas. Dan Fletcher’s recent credits include: Dennis in Rock of Ages at the Shaftsbury Theatre and Cookson in Peter Pan a Musical at Curve Theatre Leicester.
Poppy Carter’s recent stage credits include The Piper at the Finborough Theatre and The Children’s Hour at the Comedy Theatre. Film work includes St Trinians and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. James Murphy has appeared as Martini in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at the Lost Theatre and in Jubilee Street at Theatre 503.
The cast also features Caroline Bateson, David Kristopher Brown, Paul Cleveland, Lorraine Graham, Charlotte Jeffery, Inez Mackenzie, Stuart Matthews, Shaun McCourt, Gary Roe, Brett Shiels and Ellen Verenieks
Miracle on 34th Street originated as a 1947 motion picture starring Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn. The film became a perennial Christmas favorite, winning three Academy Awards and being nominated for Best Picture. The stage version, originally entitled Here’s Love, opened on Broadway in 1963. A hugely popular remake of the film was also released in 1994 starring Richard Attenborough as Kris Kringle.
Miracle on 34th Street has a book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, who is best known for writing and composing The Music Man which premiered on Broadway in 1957 and was adapted twice for film in 1962 and 2003. It won the 1958 Tony Award for Best Musical and the cast recording won the first ever Grammy Award for Best Original Cast Album. His work for film includes composing the score for Charlie Chaplin’sThe Great Dictator for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score.
Miracle on 34th Street is directed by Nicola Samer and choreographed by Richard Jones, with musical direction by Tom Turner and design by David Shields. It is produced by Kylie Vilcins for Paul Taylor-Mills Ltd.