Playhouse on the Air Presents: Miracle on 34th Street On-demand

Enter a 1940s radio studio where a radio host, sound effects artists, and a star-studded acting company bring the holiday classic, Miracle on 34th Street, to life. Young Susan Walker has been raised by her well-meaning mother, Doris, not to believe in Santa Claus. Then she meets Kris Kringle, the man hired to play Santa at Macy’s department store. When a jealous Macy’s employee frames Kris for an assault, attorney Fred Gailey must prove to Doris, Susan, and a court of law that Kris IS the real Santa. Perfect for the whole family!

For those not yet ready to come into the theatre, The Playhouse also provided a Livestream on opening night, Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. That opening night livestream is available on-demand.

Livestream and Video On-Demand (VOD) guidance:

  • When you order one of these streaming options, you will receive a link in Your Confirmation email that comes from djacobson@dmplayhouse.com. (Check your junk/spam folder as it sometimes ends up there.)
  • The stream can be cast to your smart TV if your TV can accept casting. (The newer models do.) Or if you have ROKU or Chromecast, they too can accept your casting.
  • If you purchase VOD, you can watch the video as many times as you want in a 24 hour period from the first time you start the video. Your link can only be used on one device.
  • For both Livestream and VOD, the camera is seated in the front row of the ramp – our most popular seat with patrons – and captures the entire stage. There are no Hamilton/Disney+ multiple cameras and close-ups; it is as if you are in the theatre, sitting in the front row of the ramp. If there is a preshow talk, that is included.

Looking for an authentic radio play experience? Two of our partners are airing the audio, complete with sound effects, on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2020. Both offer streaming opportunities on their website for those out of the area.

Performance Times:
Available on-demand Dec. 9-27, 2020
Theatre:
Livestream & On-Demand
Run Time:
100 minutes; performed without intermission
Content Advisory:
Playhouse holiday productions are intended for ages 5 and up. The Playhouse does not rate subject matter as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have questions about content, age-appropriateness, or other aspects of the show (ie strobe lights and other theatrical effects), please contact the ticket office at 515.277.6261.

In the News

Fridays on 42nd Street: Director Katy Merriman and costume designer Angela Lampe talk about masks

Fridays on 42nd Street: Foley artists Jerry and Susan Eisenhour show off sound effects

Interview with Katy Merriman on Iowa Live, KCWI, Dec. 3, 2020

The Culture Buzz review, Dec. 4, 2020

Broadway World review, Dec. 5, 2020

Company

  • Adam Beilgard

    Fred Gailey/Peter Carey

    Adam Beilgard
  • Dan Chase

    Kris Kringle/Trevor Ashe

    Dan Chase
  • Vivian Rosalie Coleman

    Susan Walker/Annie Caroll

    Vivian Rosalie Coleman
  • Jerry Eisenhour

    Tommy Pinna

    Jerry Eisenhour
  • Susan Eisenhour

    Ethyl Malleus

    Susan Eisenhour
  • Adam Fast

    Rod Rhymer/Voice Artist

    Adam Fast
  • Melanie Hall

    Narrator/Diane Merriwether

    Melanie Hall
  • Preshia Paulding

    Samantha Terrance/Voice Artist

    Preshia Paulding
  • Maggie Schmitt

    Doris Walker/Mary Lindsey

    Maggie Schmitt
  • Katy Merriman

    Director

    Katy Merriman
  • Angela Lampe

    Costume Designer/Properties Designer

    Angela Lampe
  • Virgil Kleinhesselink

    Lighting Designer

    Virgil Kleinhesselink
  • Hannah Hawbaker

    Stage Manager

    Hannah Hawbaker
  • AD Logsdon

    Costume Designer

    AD Logsdon
  • David R. Kilpatrick

    Playwright

    David R. Kilpatrick

Press Release

Des Moines Playhouse Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kill Date: Dec. 20, 2020 Subject: Playhouse on the Air Presents: Miracle on 34th Street| Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing Associate, 515.974.5358 The Des Moines Playhouse follows its successful fall season with a family holiday show, Playhouse on the Air Presents: Miracle on 34th Street, Dec. 4-20, 2020. For those not ready to return inside the theatre building, The Playhouse is offering a livestream of opening night, Dec. 4, and on-demand viewing through Dec. 20. Tickets, livestream, and on-demand may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com or by phone at 515.277.6261. Playhouse on the Air Presents: Miracle on 34th Street is performed without intermission and is 100 minutes in length. This December, audiences will enter a 1940s radio studio where a radio host, sound effects artists, and a star-studded acting company perform the holiday classic, Miracle on 34th Street. Young Susan Walker has been raised by her well-meaning mother, Doris, not to believe in Santa Claus. Then she meets Kris Kringle, the man hired to play Santa at Macy's department store. When a jealous Macy's employee frames Kris for an assault, attorney Fred Gailey must prove to Doris, Susan, and a court of law that Kris IS the real Santa. Perfect for the whole family! In this radio retelling, seven actors (Dan Chase, Vivian Coleman, Adam Fast, Hannah Friesen, Melanie Hall, Preshia Paulding, Josh Sampson) embody more than 50 characters. Two foley artists ­(Jerry Eisenhour, Susan Eisenhour) amaze and entertain with sound effects performed live from the stage. Playhouse on the Air Presents: Miracle on 34th Street is adapted from the book  by Playhouse executive director David R. Kilpatrick and directed by Playhouse artistic director Katy Merriman. Throughout November and December, The Playhouse is collecting items for Impact, a community action partnership with a food pantry and anytime shelves in the Drake neighborhood and other Polk County locations. Audiences are encouraged to bring canned goods, peanut butter, dry pasta, cereal, fruit juice, paper products, or personal care items and help combat hunger in Greater Des Moines. The theatre is also collecting funds toward the purchase of meals. To promote safety, The Playhouse has drawn upon the guidelines suggested by local, state, and federal agencies, experts, and associations to create the theatre's procedures. Full safety guidelines are posted on the theatre's website, dmplayhouse.com. Protocols for audiences, volunteers, and staff include:
  • A longstanding policy that asks guests, volunteers, and staff to stay home if feeling unwell. The theatre further requests individuals stay home that have been recently diagnosed with COVID-19 or are awaiting a COVID-19 test result. The Playhouse will refund ticket orders.
  • Masks are required at all times for all guests, volunteers, and staff.
  • Seating capacity is 35%.
  • Hand sanitizer is readily available.
  • Seating is assigned, based upon when tickets were purchased and the size of groups, with at least 6 feet distance between parties.
  • Playbills are entirely digital.
  • A limited array of prepackaged concessions will be offered with credit/debit cards preferred for contactless payments.
  • Restrooms and elevator are single use so staff can sanitize the restrooms after each use.
The Playhouse is Iowa's oldest and largest producing theatre. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows every year since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage. For more information about The Playhouse and Playhouse on the Air Presents: Miracle on 34th Street, visit The Playhouse website at www.dmplayhouse.com or contact The Playhouse at 515.277.6261. Ticket office hours are Noon-3:00 PM, Tuesdays-Fridays. Playhouse on the Air Presents: Miracle on 34th Street Performances: Dec. 4-20, 2020 7:00 PM Thursdays-Fridays 2:00 PM Saturdays-Sundays Tickets $29 Adults, $14 Students available at dmplayhouse.com, 515.277.6261 Playhouse on the Air Presents: Miracle on 34th Street Livestream & On-Demand Livestream: 6:30 PM, Friday, Dec. 4, 2020 On-Demand: Dec. 7-20, 2020, one viewing $25 Purchase at dmplayhouse.com ###

Show Credits

Adapted by David R. Kilpatrick from the book by Valentine Davies