Is there really a Santa Claus?  Kids from one to ninety-two love the book by Valentine Davies and the films.  This heartwarming Christmas comedy comes alive onstage with magic and glad tidings for believers and non-believers alike!

Make Miracles happen for Homeless Children Initiative

Special project by the Teen Advisory Board and a discount for you!

Our Teen Advisory Board is working with the Homeless Children Initiative of The Allegheny Intermediate Unit to make Miracles happen for homeless children during MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET.

Bring an item of clothing to a performance of  MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET and receive a $1.00 off discount ticket to THE OUTSIDERS.  Look for information on the TEEN ADVISORY BOARD page.

Meet the Director

James Critchfield  is a Pittsburgh native and has lived, studied and worked as a professional Theater educator, director, and performer in Western Pennsylvania for most of his life. Mr. Critchfield holds degrees in Theater Arts/Acting and Children’s Theater in Elementary Education from Point Park College, and is a member of Actor’s Equity Association (AEA), the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

James is a full-time faculty member at The University of Pittsburgh's Falk Laboratory School, where he teaches Theater Arts (K-8th grade). He has also taught for the Pittsburgh Playhouse School at Point Park College, and for the Pittsburgh Musical Theater (PMT) (formerly Gargaro Productions), where he has directed the Preteen Summer Musical Theater programs for 5 of the past 6 years for both organizations. He was also the founding director of Gargaro’s "Stars of Tomorrow," directing the youth song-and-dance troupe for 4 years.

Mr. Critchfield has directed productions for The Pittsburgh Savoyards ("Amahl and the Night Visitors," "Gianni Schicci," "H.M.S. Pinafore," "The Telephone," "The Sorcerer," "Trial By Jury"), Gargaro Productions/PMT ("You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown," "The Wizard of Oz," "Peter Pan," "Guys and Dolls," "Once Upon A Mattress."), and Luisi Productions ("The Seven Last Words"), to name a few.

James is best recognized, however, as a professional performer. He has performed for all the major Pittsburgh-based arts organizations -- Civil Light Opera, Playhouse, Pittsburgh Opera, Symphony, City Theater at Hartwood Acres, Children’s Museum, Saltworks, Savoyards, John Holt Productions at the Shiloh Inn, and Gargaro Productions. His favorite roles include Sir John Falstaff in "The Merry Wives of Windsor," Caiaphas in "Jesus Christ Superstar," Jacob/Potiphar in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," Mr. Mushnik in "Little Shop of Horrors," Lazar Wolf in "Fiddler on the Roof," Richard Henry Lee in "1776," Lank Hawkins in "Crazy for You," The Creature in "Frankenstein," Jonathan Brewster in "Arsenic and Old Lace," Owen Musser in "The Foreigner," Prospero in "Return to the Forbidden Planet," and his annually acclaimed portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge (the 10th season upcoming) in "A Lyrical Christmas Carol."

Mr. Critchfield is married and the father of one son, Matthew. He is very proud of his local heritage and plans to continue his multifaceted career in the city he loves, Pittsburgh.

Website to visit and enjoy

http://www.christmas-stories.com

The Cast

Starring

Kristen Pfiefer as Doris Walker

Alexandra Rizzi as Susan Walker

Matthew Vickless as Fred Gayley

and

Jerry Wienand as Kris Kringle

Featuring

Don Anderson as Judge Harper & Mr. Bloomingdale

Jack Blackburn in the Ensemble

Kathy Blackburn in the Ensemble

Seth Carpenter as Mr. Sawyer

Theresa Hune as Mara, the Prosecutor

Sam Nicotero as Macy's first Santa

Ellen R. Rodwick as Ms. Schellhammer

Len Rolly as Dr. Pierce

John Yost as Charlie Halloran

Special Appearances as Elves and Postal Workers

Scott Andrews

Stephen Arthur

Ross Blumen

Erick Flores

Julia Freser

Daisy Gade

Jessica Gould

Clarise Hune

Elena LaQuatra

Isabella LaQuatra

John O'Neil

Cheyenne West

Kristen Volz