Theatre NorthWest and Judy Russell Presents have teamed up to bring a reading of Miracle on 34th Street to stage this holiday season.
Theatre NorthWest has been working hard to open its space and offer its services to local Prince George groups this fall and early winter, developing a robust COVID-19 health and safety plans for staff members, artists and audiences.
“We didn’t want our stage to be quiet,” says Marnie Hamagami, Executive Director of Theatre NorthWest.
“We know not everyone is ready to return to the theatre, but we also recognize the need for performance art in times like these.”
Judy Russell will be directing the classic Christmas tale as a stage reading this December.
Russell says when she saw what Theatre NorthWest was doing to produce stage-readings and keep theatre alive during the pandemic, she wanted to get involved.
“For me, this is theatre under a microscope and I think that becomes a really true piece of acting,” says Russell.
“If you can make someone believe you while you are just sitting in a chair – then you’ve really done something masterful and that is exciting to me right now.”
Exciting Christmas news! @theatrenwpg and Judy Russell are teaming up to bring a stage reading of Miracle on 34th Street to #cityofpg 🎅🏻 pic.twitter.com/SWuIptBybd
— Hanna Petersen (@hannaepeter) November 5, 2020
She says Judy Russell Presents and Theatre NorthWest have been working behind the scenes for years, and is excited to now work together on something ‘in the spotlight.’
“Usually at Christmas, we would be looking to deliver something to at least three or four thousand people,” adds Russell.
“Hopefully what we are able to do fills the soul enough for the people to not forget that live theatre is just a moment away.”
Miracle on 34th Street, which has also been adapted into two successful films, tells the story of an old man named Kris Kringle who fills in for an intoxicated Santa at the Macy's annual Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City.
Kringle, who claims to be the real Santa Claus, eventually ends up in court having to prove his mental health and his authenticity.
“It is a very, very personal and heartwarming story of people finding hope and I think that means a lot to us all right now,” says Russell. “It’s the fact that you can hope for something better and that is what is in us all always.”
The stage reading of Miracle on 34th Street is being sponsored by Selen Alpay and Canadian Tire.
“We have all had our struggles, but for most of us - businesses, schools, offices - we are mostly back to what you may call the-new-normal, but that is not the case when it comes to the arts and entertainment industry. They are the very last ones to make a resurgence,” says Alpay.
“This particular show is going to be amazing and I think it’s a stride back for the arts and entertainment industry, to come back albeit with lots of different protocols they need to follow.”
Russell says Alpay’s support is crucial in order to bring the stage reading to life because as a private business, she is not able to access public funding.
“We can’t possibly make enough money to pay all of the people who should be paid for something like this but with his help, we can at least make it happen,” adds Russell.
Tickets for the stage-reading of Miracle on 34th Street go on sale today (Nov.5) and are available at on Theatre NorthWest’s website.
Theatre NorthWest is also producing a stage-reading of Pygmalion, the inspiration for My Fair Lady, which takes place this Saturday (Nov. 7).
