By Crystal McGough, Editor
TRUSSVILLE – Two local theaters in The Tribune coverage area kicked off the holidays with opening performances of Christmas classics last weekend, Dec. 1-3, 2023.
ACTA Theatre in Trussville premiered “A Miracle on 34th Street,” a story that inspires faith, hope and love amongst even the most cynical during the holiday season.
The show was directed by Suellen Wilkins, and featured a lead cast including Summer Martin as Doris Walker, Hallie Burnell as Susan Walker, Josh McDaniel as Fred Gayley and Scott Frazier as Kris Kringle.
Former HTHS theater teacher Paula Brown even returned to the stage for this performance, after over 25 years as a theater director and choreographer. Brown played the part of Judge Harper.
“‘Miracle on 34th Street’ is one of my favorite Christmas stories,” Wilkins wrote in her director’s notes. “It is a family-friendly play that includes love, romance and the belief in a Christmas the way we want it to be.”
“Now, this isn’t the movie,” she said to audiences opening night. “This is taken from the movie and from the book, and they’ve put together a really nice play that I think you’ll enjoy.”
During scene changes, audience members are invited to participate in sing-along Christmas carols, and during intermission they have the chance to purchase concessions for $1 per item.
Tickets can still be purchased for the final four performances of “Miracle on 34th Street,” which will take place Dec. 7-9 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for senior citizens and $12 for students, and can be purchased at actatheater.com.
Wilkins also encouraged the audience to return to ACTA Theatre Dec. 14-17 for ACTA Junior’s performance of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” written by Barbara Robinson and directed by Jennifer Day.
“We’ve got a wonderful new season for this next year,” Wilkins said.
While ACTA was inspiring love with “A Miracle on 34th Street,” the Leeds Art Council inspired laughter with its presentation of “A Christmas Story,” a holiday classic that tells the story of a young boy and his high hopes to receive the BB gun of his dreams for Christmas.
“(‘A Christmas Story’) runs for 24 hours on Christmas … I’ve enjoyed the movie since before they even started doing that,” said director Curtis Frost. “One of the things about the show that I think really connects to the people is, at one point, we’ve probably all had that one Christmas gift that we were super, super hungry for. We didn’t always get it; I never got a GI Joe aircraft carrier, but I did get Voltron one year … and that’s really something that’s just magical about Christmas, especially when you’re a kid. So, this show really sells it. I think we can all relate to that. And then as adults, Christmas isn’t always that magical, and we can all relate to that, too. The show has that, as well.”
All audience members attending “A Christmas Story” have the opportunity to buy $5 raffle tickets for a chance to win a “major award,” the iconic leg lamp used in the play.
“It has been a hot commodity so far,” Frost said. “So if you want to display a major award in your front room window this Christmas, you can do it!”
Additionally, Frost has another giveaway in store, at no extra cost to the ticketholders.
“After intermission, you’ll want to get back in here because, every single show, we’re going to have a special surprise Christmas present for somebody in the audience,” he said. “We’re going to pull a seat number at random and somebody’s going to get an early Christmas present.”
Concessions are available in the Leeds Arts Council lobby for a donation of any amount, and those in attendance also have an opportunity to take pictures in the “A Christmas Story” photo booth, complete with a “FRAGILE” box and leg lamp.
Theater-goers have three more chances to see “A Christmas Story,” with the final performances taking place at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7 and 9, and 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 10.
Frost encouraged the opening weekend audiences to also return for LAC’s next play, “Noises Off,” directed by Angela Forehand. Auditions will be held on Dec. 11 and 12, from 7-9 p.m.
Other local opportunities for live holiday entertainment include “Christmas Shorts,” performed by the Greater Birmingham Area Kids Acting Classes, formerly known as the Leeds-Moody Area Kids Acting Class, and “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” performed by ACTA Junior in Trussville.
There will be three performances of “Christmas Shorts” at the Merch Event Center in Leeds, with two taking place on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and one on Sunday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling director Victoria Boyce at (205) 285-7635.
ACTA Junior will be offering five chances to see “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” with performances held on Dec. 14, 15 and 16 at 7 p.m., and Dec. 16 and 17 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at actatheater.com