Hubcity Theatre presents:
Miracle on 34th Street
The Radio Play
By John Cook
Produced by special arrangement with Playwright’s Guild of Canada
Message from the director
Welcome to our staged reading of Miracle on 34th Street - The Radio Play by John Cook!
This is my first foray into directing after many years of acting in a variety of productions with Hubcity Theatre, Roundhouse Productions and Marshlight Theatre.
I chose this show because it’s always been a Christmas favourite with my family, My mother told me the movie version, starring Natalie Wood as Susan Walker, was the first film she remembers seeing as a child. It was always one we made sure to watch over the holiday season.
This version is written as a radio show from the Golden Age of Radio - when families gathered around the radio to listen to variety shows, drama, and mysteries. As we developed our concept, we decided to play with the idea that those listening at home weren’t seeing people talking into microphones, they were imagining the story - taking place in New York, at Macy’s, Doris and Fred’s apartment building, in the courthouse.
Although we didn’t create full sets, different parts of our stage represent different areas for our story - so you can see our characters playing out their scenes while perhaps using your imagination to fill in the backdrop. We think Kris Kringle would approve.
We hope our production, complete with our Singing Sisters, puts you in the holiday spirit.
And we hope you leave here believing in something, even when common sense tells you not to.
Happy holidays,
Kelly
Singing Sisters
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Jill Quiring - Musical Director
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Patricia Henrichs
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Olivia Hodnett
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Erin O'Connell
Cast
(In order of appearance)
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Marc Doucet (he/him) - Poppa, Mr. Gimbel, Mr. Mara
This is Marc's second show with Hubcity after playing Flute/Thisbe this past summer for Shakespeare at the Park's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. He will be playing Poppa, Mr Gimbel and Mr Mara. His favourite holiday tradition is a covert family neighborhood operation to spread a little joy to a different family each year.
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Olivier Émond - Jake, Little Boy, Tommy Mara
From Carnegie Hall in New York with Les Jeunes chanteurs d’Acadie to Moncton’s Capitol Theatre musical theatre productions, at the young age of 13, Olivier Émond has a definite passion for the stage and is grateful to have so many opportunities to learn and grow as a performer. He is so happy for this first experience with Hubcity Theatre! Best part of Christmas for Olivier? Food!! … and Family!
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Lisa De Luca (she/her) - Radio Hubcity Announcer
This is Lisa’s first venture into the acting world. Her favourite thing about the holidays is curling up by the Christmas tree with a good book.
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William Hunter - Mr. Shellhammer
This is William’s first role with Hubcity Theatre and his first Christmas in Moncton. He’s looking forward to stepping on stage with the cast and spending the holiday season with family.
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Kerri Gaskin (she/her) - Doris Walker
Making her Hubcity debut, Kerri is an ardent fan of all things Christmas - especially singing carols (loudly) in the car. Thrilled to be returning to the stage in Miracle on 34th Street after 20-yr hiatus from performance, Kerri looks forward to sharing the magic of theatre with her own children.
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Patricia Henrichs - Cloe, Lou, Nana
One of my most favorite Christmas traditions was going for my annual visit to church, simply for the candlelit singing of silent night at the end. During Covid, this was not allowed. The family that was in my bubble, surprised me with a candlelight singing of silent night in our backyard in the crisp fresh air, under the Stars. It was absolutely magical, just as Christmas should be! In my second show with Hub City, I wish to share the Magic with you.
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Greg Durand - Fred Gayley
Greg is excited and grateful this holiday season to have discovered the magic of Midtown Manhattan. His roots in improv, Greg has been expanding his range since 2023 through Hubcity's Laramie Project, Vagina Monologues and now in a new-to-him charming story he has grown to cherish. When he's not onstage he is holding a camera and putting on his winter hat to enjoy the most wonderful season of the year.
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Sophie Quiring - Susan Walker
After making her acting debut as Scar in The Lion King Junior, Sophie is excited to be acting in her first Hubcity Theatre show. Christmas is her very favourite and the thing she loves most about it is everything!
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Ian Chilly Morrison - Kris Kringle
Chily is a husky, bearded grump who is excited to play a husky, bearded non-grump, Kris Kringle! Chilly is returning to Hubcity Theatre after previous roles in Jesus Christ Superstar, Our Town, 4.48 Psychosis and many more. He also bears a stunning resemblance to Icelandic pro wrestler, Ólafur Hanson.
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Hillary Bushell (she/her) - Mother, Mr. Sawyer, Mrs. Henderson and Al
Hillary is delighted to be a part of this show and hopes you enjoy it. Her favourite thing about Christmas is crying over NewSong’s Christmas Shoes and perfecting her interpretive “dance”.
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Laura Grove - Ms. Parker, Dr. Pierce
After a long hiatus of 7 years, Laura is thrilled to be back on the stage! Her favourite thing about Christmas is decorating the Christmas tree as a family with her husband and two children (3.5 & 1.5).
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Jill Quiring (she/her) - Mr. Macy, Charlie Halloran
Jill has had the absolute pleasure of acting in many of Hubcity's productions including Jesus Christ Superstar (Pilate) and Romeo and Juliet (Nurse). One of her favourite Christmas pastimes is singing along to Kenny and Dolly's iconic Christmas album.
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Anver Mahmud - Judge Harper
"Anver is a Local Actor involved with Theater in Moncton and Sackville as well as productions in Fredericton and Saint John. He works regularly with CHMA Radio in Sackville and the NB Film Co-Operative and is always looking to be more involved in creative works throughout the Maritimes."
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Brian Chan (he/him) - Finley, Baliff
Brian has done many short films with friends. Submitted some to local festivals to positive reviews. This year he wants to go out of his comfort zone and done background acting in a couple of series filmed locally. This production would be his first with Hubcity. One of his favourite holiday memories was back in the day, Brian used to work at Blockbuster Video and loved working the Christmas Day shift. He enjoyed when customers come in looking to rent/buying Christmas movies to renting/buying movies and video games for their newly opened electronic devices
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Olivia Hodnett (she/her) - Commentator, Susan understudy
This is Olivia’s second Hubcity show, after A Midsummer Night’s Dream last summer. She has also acted in the Moncton High productions of Annie and Mamma Mia. Her favourite thing about the holidays is listening to all the great Christmas carols.
Crew
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Kelly MacDonald-Mason (she/her) - Director
After acting in several shows, this is Kelly's first time directing. Her favourite thing about the holidays is being able to watch as many Hallmark Christmas movies as possible.
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Jessica Whalen - Assistant Director and Stage Manager
Miracle on 34th Street is Jessica's 10th Hubcity Production, and her first stage managing gig since roughly 2003. 2024 has included mediocre uke playing while appearing onstage as Mash in "Stupid F*cking Bird", and painting increasingly dramatic clown faces during "A Midsummer Night's Dream". May everyone's holidays be filled with warm cocoa, cookies and Christmas cheer.
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Keith O'Connell - Sound Effects
Making his Hubcity debut in Miracle on 34th Street, Keith is taking time from deep-diving into crime on his podcast "Motive and Opportunity" in order to contribute his immense musical, and general noise-making, talents as the SFX/Foley guy.