'Miracle on 34th Street' Auditions at James McCabe Theater

Editor's Note: An earlier story made mention of a different show, another holiday classic, being cast. Patch regrets the error.

______________

Auditions for Miracle on 34th Street are set for Sept. 17, 18 and 20 at the James McCabe Theater in Valrico.

The show is being staged by the Village Players under the direction of Gail Pierce, who called the show, "probably one of the most endearing shows out there."

"This is mine, this is my show," Pierce said about her attraction to the Christmas classic, which features Kris Kringle, a white-bearded, older man from a retirement home who gets a job working as Santa at Macy's in New York City.

"The show is about believing, that anything is possible as long as you believe," Pierce said. "That against all odds, a simple truth prevails."

Auditions are set to begin at 7:30 p.m. at the James McCabe Theater in Valrico, at 506 Fifth St. Audition dates are Sept. 17, 18 and 20.

Needed are at least 20 cast members from child to senior citizen. The youngest cast member is Susan, "whose age in the show is 7 or 8, but we can go as high as 10," Pierce said.

In the film version of the show, Susan was played by a young Natalie Wood.

Cast members will commit to performing seven shows: Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 8:15 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 3 p.m.

For information, call the Village Players information line at 813-643-8292.