'Miracle On 34th Street' A Must-See Holiday Delight In Hamptons

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — "Faith is believing in things even when common sense tells you not to."

The line has been one of the most beloved and well-known in favorite holiday films for generations. And now, as "Miracle on 34th Street, A Live Music Radio Play," unfolds at the Southampton Cultural Center, those words are uttered to a hushed crowd who have tears on their faces and joy in their eyes as they sit in the presence of a miracle both on the stage and in real, wonderful life.

It is sublimely fitting that beloved East End 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 every uplifting holiday movie ever told. Except this time, it's real.

And the grateful audience who greets Disher with heartfelt hugs and wide smiles are clearly well aware of the miracle that's taken place right at 25 Pond Lane in Southampton — as a man who's long been an iconic part of the East End's arts scene returns with this glorious, rich, gem of a production to the Cultural Center, his longtime theatrical home.

The show, adapted from the 1947 Lux radio broadcast by Lance Arthur Smith and includes original songs and arrangement by Jon Lorenz.

At a time when the world is weary and often, devoid of hope after months battling the pandemic, with scores marked by loss, a bonafide miracle has, at times and for many, seemed a far-too-distant dream. But it's in this production, sparkling with life and talent that suddenly, hope begins to swell.

The show is a delight, as actors recreate an old-time radio broadcast, complete with music, commercials, and flashing lights that urge the audience to applaud or take an intermission. The breezy, lighthearted return to the radio show format transports the audience 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 small child to make monkey noises and to believe that there can be snowballs in summer.

"I am a huge fan of the radio show format, the holidays, and their tethered nostalgia," Disher said. "I couldn't think of a better time and title to return to the reins of a production."

The show is cast to simple perfection: Daniel Becker as Kris Kringle, his voice gentle, fits the role as comfortably as a well-worn Santa suit, slipping into it with ease and care as he shoulders the responsibility of giving young children something to believe in, in a world where that's become far harder than ever since 1947.

Mary Sabo brings the incomparable Doris Walker to life with a quiet cloak of responsibility worn as armor to shield against broken dreams and promises after divorce. Her transformation as her eyes once again begin to reflect the first stirrings of trust in the arms of Fred Gailey, played with hopeful innocence by Jack Seabury, is a testament to the new beginnings born, as long as there is someone to believe in.

And most especially, when that someone believes in you, too.

Emma Hand as Susan Walker is a young force, captivating audiences 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 lyric of this magical production.

Every actor in this jewel of a show shines as brightly as Susan Walker's ruby velvet dress: Christopher Tyrkko is an affable Mr. Macy whose focus on the almighty dollar renders him Kris Kringle's most ardent supporter. And Richard Adler handles an array of characters with aplomb.

Amanda Jones musically directs and the audience responds to the buoyant score, humming and singing along joyfully to Christmas carols behind their masks, thrilled with sharing the joy of live theater after the long months of the coronavirus left stages dark.

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

"The holidays are a gift, particularly this year, and the opportunity to sit, smile, and laugh together is a miracle," Disher said. "Featuring our greatest technology — imagination, the story transports us to a humbler and more innocent time through sounds and spoken word."

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

On the stage, of course, despite the best efforts of a villain played with fiendish perfection by John Lovett, Kris Kringle is vindicated, bags of mail from children the world over a testament to the fact that Santa is, indeed, real. Susan Walker gets her dream colonial house and her happy ending, as Doris Walker finds her second chance in Mr. Gailey's certain arms. And the audience is left with something long missing during the past pandemic months — hope.

"Maybe there are miracles all year long," the lyrics ring out.

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

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

Performance times are Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

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