‘Miracle On 34th Street’ Comes To Southampton

Michael Disher, longtime director of Center Stage at Southampton Cultural Center, is back on the South Fork this holiday season. From December 3-12, Disher and his cast will present Lance Arthur Smith’ and Jon Lorenz’s “Miracle on 34th Street, A Live Musical Radio Play” in Southampton Cultural Center’s Levitas Center for the Arts.

“I am thrilled to be returning and continuing this holiday tradition that has always been very special to me,” Disher said. “The holidays are a gift, particularly this year, and the opportunity to sit, smile and laugh together is a miracle. Featuring our greatest technology — imagination, the story transports us to a humbler and more innocent time through sounds and spoken word

The film “Miracle on 34th Street” (initially released as “The Big Heart” in the United Kingdom) is a 1947 American Christmas comedy-drama film released by 20th Century Fox, written and directed by George Seaton and based on a story by Valentine Davies. The film stars Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn. The story takes place between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day in New York City and focuses on the effect of a department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real Santa. The film has become a perennial Christmas favorite.

“Miracle on 34th Street” won three Academy Awards: Gwenn for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Valentine Davies for Best Writing, Original Story, and George Seaton for Best Writing, Screenplay. In 2005, the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant." The Academy Film Archive preserved “Miracle on 34th Street” in 2009.

“Miracle on 34th Street, A Live Musical Radio Play” is adapted from the 1947 Lux Radio Broadcast and adapted by Lance Arthur Smith with original lyrics, music and arrangements by Jon Lorenz. Michael Disher directs this live musical radio version and Amanda Jones musically directs. The cast features Daniel Becker, Mary Sabo, Jack Seabury, Susan Cincotta, Joey Giovingo, Christopher Tyrkko, Michaal Lyn Schepps, John Lovett, Amanda Jones, Michael Casper and Emma Hand.

The play opens December 3 and runs through December 12. Performances are Fridays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. This holiday tradition is a perfect family outing. General Admission tickets are $25 ($20 for ages under 21) are available at scc-arts.org or by calling 631 287-4377.

The Southampton Cultural Center is at 25 Pond Lane, Southampton. Per COVID-19 policy, all visitors and attendees must wear masks and performers, when not on stage, must wear masks. The cast and crew is fully vaccinated.