Miracle on 34th Street
December 11 - 20, 2009
Single Ticket Price: $15/$12Show Times:
Friday at 7:30pm
Saturday at 7:30pm
Sunday at 2:30pm
Kris Kringle is the personification of the holiday spirit. As Macy's resident Santa, he enchants children and shoppers so completely that his fellow employees deem him dangerous, question his competency, and plot to ruin him. A small girl's belief in Santa and the magic of Christmas are at stake in a climactic courtroom decision. A tender and charming adaptation of the classic film for the entire family.
Cast & Crew
Cast & Crew
Andrew Brockway
Newspaper Boy / Ensemble
Andrew is twelve years old and is in the sixth grade. His hobbies include soccer, Kempo Karate and sword. Andrew prides himself on the fact that he is an honor roll student.
Carl Brockway
Fred Gailey
Carl, a Youngstown State University graduate, enjoys spending time with his wife Pamela and four children, Andrew (12), Paige (9), Megan (7) and Evan (2). When not working as a Mechanical Engineer, Carl enjoys travel and running. He is also no stranger to The Playhouse stage, as he can be remembered for playing roles in It's a Wonderful Life, Bridge to Teribethia, and A Christmas Carol.
Megan Brockway
Harper Grandchild / Ensemble
Megan, who is seven years old, is a student at South Range School and enjoys dancing and singing. Megan has danced in The Nut Cracker for The Ballet Western Reserve.
Paige Brockway
Harper Grandchild / Ensemble
Paige, who is nine years old, like her sister, also goes to South Range School and enjoys dancing and singing. Paige has also danced in The Nut Cracker for The Ballet Western Reserve.
Dominic Campana
Tommy Mara
Dominic, an eight year old from Canfield with two brothers, is currently in third grade at St. Christine's School. Some of Dominic's hobbies include baseball, flag-football and golf. We welcome Dominic to The Playhouse!!
Lauren Cline
Susan Walker
Lauren is currently ten years old and goes to St. Charles school where she is a straight A student. She loves to eat chocolate and go shopping at the mall. Although this is her first play at The Youngstown Playhouse, she will also grace the Playhouse stage in The Youth Theatre's production of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.
Joey Corradi
Bailiff / Driver
Joey is a fifteen-year-old High Honors Student at Austintown Fitch High School. He aspires to become a great actor on Broadway and in films. He has performed leads roles in Frog and Toad, Jungle Book, Frog Prince, Peter Pan and numerous others. He has soloed and performed in Broadway and Beyond, First Night Columbus and the Pittsburgh Tree Lighting Ceremony.
John Cox
Mr. Sawyer
John is happy to play second fiddle to Lauren in this show. John is a board member for The Youngstown Playhouse and is also a local pediatrician. John is always thrilled to be at The Playhouse!
Austin Dabney
Jake / Harper Grandchild
For fun, Austin likes to bowl and loves to act. He currently goes to school at Lynn-Kirk Elementary School. He has two brothers and two sisters. This is Austin's debut at The Youngstown Playhouse, but this is his second show. We are thrilled to have him on our stage.
Gary Deckant
Judge Harper
Gary, who works in customer service at Infocision, has been acting at The Youngstown Playhouse since 2002. Some of his credits include Amadeus, Chess, Fiorello, Can Can, Mame, Carousel, Titanic, and several shows at Victorian Players. Gary has also been a profession translator of German for over 30 years.
Brooke Fusco
Elf / Reporter
Brooke is 16 years old and enjoys running cross country and track, dancing, and most of all...musical theater. She has appeared in Annie, Big River, Fiddler on the Roof, and most recently played the role of Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun. Once she graduates, she plans to go to college and major in accounting. Brooke wants to thank her wonderful parents, brothers, and boyfriend for supporting her love for theater.
Brad Gamlin
"Charlie" Halloran
Brad, age 21, has been in numerous plays including The Wizard of Oz, The King and I, and Little House Christmas. Brad is currently a student at Kent State University pursuing a degree in American Sign Language with a minor in Education. This is Brad's first appearance at The Playhouse. Brad hopes to get more opportunities to perform in local community theater. Brad wants to thank his family for their continued support.
Tyler Hanes
Lou / Jim (the zookeeper) / Photographer
Tyler is a 16-year-old Junior at Struthers High School. He has done over forty shows across Ohio and Pennsylvania. He was last seen in RENT as the part of Angel. He is so excited to be back at The Playhouse doing another show. He would like to thank his friends and family for all of their support.
Tom Hathhorn
Dr. Pierce
Tom, a retired banker, lives in Boardman, and enjoys his children and grandchildren. He has appeared on many area stages, most recently here at The Youngstown Playhouse as Van Helsing in Dracula. Prior to that, he last graced The Youngstown Playhouse's stage in Neverland. Tom is also a member of Seraphim, a local community chorus.
Nicole Hinchcliffe
Parent 2 / Macy Employee
Nicole, a 23-year-old Pre-Med student at Youngstown State University hails from Austintown and is a lifetime member of St. Christine's Parish. She attended St. Christine's School and graduated from Austintown Fitch High School. Although she is a cantor at St. Christine's Church and has been in their choir for 10 years, she has been singing since she was a little girl. Nicole would like to dedicate her performance to her grandmother, Carole Weir, who passed away on October 28th, 2009. She says, "Happy Birthday Grandma! I love You!"
Andrea Karas-Cicoretti
Doris Walker
Andrea is originally from Struthers, Ohio and now resides in Poland with her husband, Dean and pooch, Tino. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and currently works for MVI Homecare as their Intake Coordinator. Andrea has performed at various church banquet shows in the area but this is her first appearance at The Playhouse and she is so excited to be here! She thanks her husband, parents, in-laws, her crazy family and friends for all their support and encouragement. A special thanks to Marlene goes out for having faith in her and for giving her this wonderful opportunity. A final thanks to the cast for just being so darn awesome! She has had an absolute blast.
Lynn Kirkwood
Dr. Rogers
Lynn worked her first show at The Playhouse in 1968. Since then she has performed in both dramas and musicals and has won three Arthur Awards over the years. Her last show was The Miracle Worker at The Victorian Players. Lynn is thrilled to be working under director Marlene Strollo.
Ed McAtee
Mr. Macy
The Playhouse has always been one of Ed's favorite places to do a show. He has had the pleasure of working with Hugh Fagan on a few occasions, buts Finian's Rainbow holds special memories in his heart. We are thrilled to have you back Ed!
Timothy McGinley
Kris Kringle
Mr. McGinley's first acting "gig" was in third grade, for the class Christmas party... as Santa Claus. In 2003 he again played the Jolly Old Soul, in Trumbull New Theater's production of Out of the Kitchen Mrs. Claus. His last five shows have been at The Playhouse. His most recent, as Victor Velasco in Barefoot in the Park. For this production of Miracle on 34th Street, he wishes to dedicate his performances, first and foremost to his son and daughter, and all his family for their constant love and support. Secondly, to all boys and girls, young and old, who still hold the true meaning of Christmas in their hearts. And last but not least, to a little girl from years gone by, who, at the age of 11, received a magical visit from Santa Claus. May she always believe.
Shane McKinney
Al / Reporter
Shane, a seventeen year old, loves to act and its his passion. He has always wanted to be an actor and see his name in lights. Shane says "It's an awesome thing to do, but I take it very seriously." Shane has starred in Ann Frank and Romeo and Juliet and credits his brother for teaching him everything he knows at Arts Excel. He also enjoys reading, rollerblading and loves animals.
Gillian McMahan
Ensemble
Gillian is in the third grade at Blessed Sacrament in Warren. She has recently performed for Top Hat Productions in their production of Ragtime. Prior to that she performed as a royal child in The King and I at Kent State Trumbull Summer Stock. She is new to The Playhouse and is very excited to part of the Playhouse family.
Edward Phillips
Mr. Shellhamer
Ed is a retired music educator and church music minister that resides in Austintown with his lovely wife Diane. Currently Ed is a free-lance musician serving area churches and community theaters when called upon. Ed just finished a three-week run as music director of the New Castle Playhouse's production of I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. Some of Ed's acting credits include: B-I-N-G-O Spells Murder and The King and I, both at Move Over Broadway Productions, Tom Sawyer, A Christmas Carol, and Titanic at The Youngstown Playhouse, and Suessical The Musical at The New Castle Playhouse.
Teresa Pitts
Parent 1 / Ensemble
Teresa, who is from Canfield, takes pride in the fact that she has four children and seven grandchildren. She has worked for James & Sons Insurance for the past 23 years. When asked what her hobbies are, she said that she enjoys crafts, spending time with her friends, and traveling.
Anna Pugh
Harper Grandchild / Ensemble
Anna is currently in the fourth grade at Hilltop Elementary School in Canfield. She plays violin and enjoys singing. We are thrilled to welcome Anna to The Playhouse stage as this is her first production here!!
Julie Pugh
Cleo
Julie is making her first appearance on The Youngstown Playhouse stage. Previous credits include Anything Goes, Biloxi Blues, Bus Stop, Annie Warbucks, and Into the Woods. We are excited to welcome Julie to The Playhouse family.
Regina Reynolds
Miss Adams
Regina simply loves to be on the stage...couple that with her love for Christmas and Miracle on 34th Street becomes a perfect match. Regina is blessed with three wonderful sons, one new daughter-in-law and her sweet Glenn. She says, "What more could anyone want? Merry Christmas!!"
Maddie Rhoads
Judy
Maddie, a student at Howland Middle School, enjoys acting and playing Math 24. Although she does not play any sports, she is very excited to be in this production of Miracle on 34th Street. Welcome to The Youngstown Playhouse Maddie!
JoAnne Santagata
Mrs. Harper / Parent 3
JoAnne may have waited too long to get started, but now she is singing, acting and loving it! She sings in Holy Family's Choir, Seraphin, and has been involved in Mover Over Broadway's last four Christmas productions. She was also in Sandbag Stage Left and B-I-N-G-O Spells Murder both at Mover Over Broadway. She has a very supportive husband and family and says that she'll keep performing and enjoying it.
Glenn Stevens
Mr. Mara
Glenn has been in many productions in many arenas throughout the area, but has always loved The Playhouse. He says that he's really not a mean guy and he DOES believe in Santa Claus. He enjoys cooking with Regina and dancing. He has been with Channel 21 News too long to mention. He wants to thank you for this opportunity to entertain you.
Abbie Vangorder
Maryke's Mother / Ensemble
Abbie is currently an eighth grader at Austintown Middle School. When asked what she likes to do for "fun," she listed playing soccer and hanging out with her friends. Abbie has five brothers and one sister.
Cassandra Vega
Maryke, The Dutch Girl
Cassandra is a fourth grade student at William Homes McGuffey Elementary School. This is Cassandra's first theater experience. In her free time Cassandra enjoys puzzles and books, as well as competitive swimming with the Penguin Swimming team.
Michael Vince
Newspaper Boy / Ensemble
Michael is in the sixth grade at Liberty's W.S. Guy Middle School. He has performed at Kent State Trumbull in 2009 Summer Stock productions of Alice in Wonderland as Tweedle Dum and a Royal Child in The King and I. Michael enjoys entertaining as a clown for charity, at church in 24 Minutes to Salvation and keeping it real. He is thankful for God and his mom for his opportunities.
Vanessa Vince
Mrs. Mara
Vanessa is currently working on her doctorate of Education in Counseling Psychology and is a social worker at St. Elizabeth Health Center. She enjoys doing clowning for charity with her son Michael as well as praise and worship with kids at Believer's Christian Fellowship. She is thankful for the opportunity to perform at The Youngstown Playhouse with her son. God has graced her life.
Delia Walkowiec
Sally
Delia is a third grader at West Boulevard in Boardman. She has appeared as a Little Rascal for 3 years on Miracle on Easy Street. Her other credits include Titanic, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and five local T.V. commercials.
Michael Walkowiec
Mr. Gimble / Drunken Santa
Michael, who owns Michael's Cabinet Shop, is proud to be in this production with his daughter Delia. He resides in Boardman with wife Crystal and two children Delia and Zenin. Michael's theater credits include "Annas" in Jesus Christ Superstar, John B. Thayer in Titanic, and Mr. TeaVee in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.
Marlene Menaldi Strollo
Director
Marlene is a free-lance director (Miracle... marks her 72nd production as director) and the founder and managing director of Move Over Broadway Productions, Inc (MOBP), Canfield's community theatre. She is also a Patient Recruiter/Trainer at NEOUCOM and Drama Director for South Range High School Drama Team. In her 28 years of involvement in theatre, Ms. Strollo has served as Theatre Manager for the Youngstown Symphony/Powers Auditorium, General Manager for The Youngstown Playhouse (YPH) and Director of Dramatics at South Range, Canfield, Liberty and Salem High Schools. She holds degrees in biology and theatre. Her most recent directing credits include B-I-N-G-O Spells Murder for MOBP, Annie Get Your Gun for South Range Drama Team and HONK! for Boardman Community Theatre. Ms. Strollo thanks her family for their constant support and her theatre family for giving her the opportunity to fulfill her passion, working in live theater.