When staff members of Bayonne High School’s drama program went looking for someone to play Santa Claus in this year’s Christmas production of the musical “Miracle on 34th Street,” they didn’t have to look far.
Brendan Wahlers, who took over as an English and acting teacher at the high school this year, stepped right up, and perhaps knew the role more intimately than most, since he once really worked as a Macy’s department store as its Santa Claus.
Although “Miracle on 34th Street” is best known as a classic Christmas film, the musical adaptation of the film differs slightly and features a story, music, and lyrics written by Meredith Willson, who also wrote “The Music Man.”
The story tells of a skeptical little girl whose mother has convinced her that there is no Santa Claus. When the real Kris Kringle is hired to represent Santa Claus at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, he makes it his mission to convince the child, as well as her cynical mother, that he is the real deal.
The musical was originally entitled “Here’s Love,” which is a song in the first act and the theme of the stage production.
“In the end, it doesn’t matter if you believe in Santa because Santa believes in you.” – Brendan Wahlers
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As an acting teacher working with younger people, the challenge is to bring all of the actors into the play and to take it seriously, which, he says, they ultimately do.
“Santa is all things to everybody,” Wahlers said. “In the end, it doesn’t matter if you believe in Santa because Santa believes in you.”
Students for Santa
Deenie Hutchinson, a junior at Bayonne High School, plays the judge who must decide whether Kris Kringle is the real Santa or just a crazy but nice man. A student geared towards a career in TV production, Hutchinson hadn’t auditioned for the part – it’s her first time on stage, but the director saw something he liked in her.
Juggling studies and her role in the play is perhaps the hardest thing she has to do, although she, too, is confronted by the politics behind her decision.
Because the play runs two weekends, two children play the role of Susan, the young girl in whom the future of imagination rests. In the film and the play, Susan symbolizes the contemporary generation which is struggling to maintain its belief in things that are not practical.
Julia Riolo and Caroline O’Donnell, both students at Bailey Elementary School in Bayonne, have the challenge of changing from a child who does not believe in Santa to one who does.
Riolo said she does plays for her family, and in school, she loves to sing and act.
“I love getting to work with Santa,” she said.
O’Donnell said she also likes to sing and dance.
Brittany Baran is a senior at BHS and has been in a number of high school productions over the years. While her role as someone going from cynicism to faith seems to be a challenge, she said it is all in the script.
“I didn’t watch the movie because I didn’t want that performance to affect mine,” she said.
Tim Craig, who heads the arts department at the high school, said the group decided to move away from the traditional “Christmas Carol” to this play this year.
“It is a beloved film,” he said.
Because this play requires so many changes of location as opposed to other plays, the BHS Drama Society is using modular sets rather than a fixed set, which will allow the audience to focus more on the performance.
The play opens on Nov. 25, the day after Thanksgiving, with a tree lighting on the lawn of the high school at 6 p.m.
“We will have the BHS band, Bayonne Community Choir, free hot chocolate, and Santa,” he said. “Also, BHS Drama for the second year will accept gifts in our lobby for Toys for Tots. Last year we were able to send over a hundred toys to Toys for Tots from the BHS Drama Society”
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students, and can be purchased online at bhsdramasociety.com, or by calling the box office at (201) 858-0071.