Theater troupe bringing holiday classic to The Texas stage
14 Dec 2022
News, Quality of Life
Felicia Frazar The Seguin Gazette
A classic Christmas tale will have Texas Theatre guests of all ages believing in Santa Claus and miracles.
The local theater is playing host to the stage production of “Miracle on 34th Street” this weekend with a large cast featuring new and familiar faces.
The play follows the 1947 movie, which tells the story of a man hired to play Santa in the famed New York City department store Macy’s.
“He’s a jolly, old man who happens to fill the need for Macy’s,” said Michael Sharp, who is playing Kris Kringle. “He’s a perfect Santa Claus. But there’s always doubt of is he really Santa Claus.”
Kringle has most children believing he is the real deal; however, some adults don’t, said actress and co-director Pat Hoppe.
“I am Mrs. Sawyer and I’m challenging Santa Claus. I don’t believe in Santa and I don’t think that parents should teach their children about Santa Claus,” she said. “He attacks me and has to go to court for a hearing where it is determined whether or not he is Santa.”
Hoppe and Sharp join an ensemble that includes veteran actors and budding thespians.
“It is a bigger cast than what we’ve done in a while,” actress Johanna Bain Johnson said. “We have almost 30 cast members. This has been really fun. We have some new faces and some super old faces that we started 31 years ago.”
Johnson recalled her first time on a Seguin stage was with both Travis Cox and Kirk Herbold. Over the past 31 years, the trio has gathered on the stage together in various shows. It is time Johnson said she cherishes.
“I love it. This is the most special thing,” she said. “Anytime I come back to theater, Travis is there. I moved to New York, I moved off to college and 10 years later, I come back to do a show and Travis is there. The year after that, Kirk joins us again. It is so very special and meaningful to me.”
Sharp is currently making similar connections and memories as this is his first time acting.
“Having never done this before, it’s been a challenge, but it has been fun,” he said. “It is hard not to want to enjoy being Santa Claus. We have a talented cast. Anytime I’ve come to the Texas as a viewer, I’ve come away pleased with the stage production.”
Hitting the stage for the second time is 11-year-old Tess Matthews, taking on the role of Susan. She is joined by a host of children in various roles, including dancing elves.
Second Story Dance Co. owner Amanda Gold Henk is lending her dance choreography skills to create entertainment between set changes, Hoppe said.
“We’re so thankful to Amanda for teaching them,” she said. “The elves do a little dance that are just precious. Anytime we have kids in a show, it really adds something to it.”
The curtain will rise for the Texas Theatre production of “Miracle on 34th Street” at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16 and Saturday, Dec. 17 and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 and Sunday, Dec. 18. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $20 for reserved seating available at Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce, Keepers, Gift & Gourmet or www.thetexas.org . For more information or tickets, call 830-379-6382 or 830-372-6168.
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