Lake Park brings magic with 'Miracle on 34th Street'

Lake Park High School's latest production aims to have audiences cheering, "I believe!"

Theater students are staging "Miracle on 34th Street," about a man who convinces those around him - including a little girl who's been taught not to buy into "fairy tales" - that he truly is Santa Claus.

Kris Kringle is hired to step in for the man who is supposed to play Santa in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, but shows up drunk. Kringle goes on to upend the marketing world, as well as the life of the Macy's personnel manager and her cynical daughter, winning the hearts of New York City and, in the process, proving that perhaps there really is a Santa Claus.

"I love a great holiday show, and this is one that appeals to the whole family," Director Kathy Carmona said. "We all need to believe in a little magic sometimes."

The cast features freshman Danny Steetz as Kris Kringle, senior Grace Biernacki as personnel manager Doris Walker, senior Matt Dums as attorney Fred Grayley; and junior Ashley Borgman as Doris' daughter, Susan.

"This show has a large cast with over 30 speaking roles, giving a large number of students their moment in the lights, which is another reason I chose this show," Carmona said.

Performances begin at 7 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, Dec. 14 and 16; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, in the Dice Auditorium at Lake Park's East Campus, 600 S. Medinah Road, Roselle.

Tickets, available at the door, are $5 for adults, $3 for non-Lake Park students and free for seniors and children younger than 13.

For information, visit drama.lphs.org, call (630) 295-5313 or email lptheatreboxoffice@lphs.org.

Before the Friday performance, the Lake Park Education Foundation will present A Night of Fine Dining and Theatre, a fundraiser featuring a menu prepared by Lake Park culinary students and a silent auction.

The evening begins at 5 p.m. at the school. Tickets, which include admission to the dinner and the performance, are $35 and available at lphs.org.