"Miracle" Matinee Added

Due to a strong demand for tickets, Altoona Community Theatre is adding a Saturday matinee to its performance schedule for "Miracle on 34th Street," a stage adaptation of the popular holiday film classic. ACT will present "Miracle on 34th Street" in the Historic Mishler Theatre the weekend before Thanksgiving, with performances beginning at 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, November 19 and 20; at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, November 21.

"Miracle on 34th Street" is based on the 1947 film about a kind, old gentleman hired as a Macy's Department Store Santa whose sanity is questioned in a courtroom hearing because he insists he's the one and true Santa Claus. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children/students, plus a $2.50-per-ticket box office fee. Visit or call the Mishler box office between 12 Noon and 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 814-944-9434. Tickets also are available online 24 hours, 7 days a week, by visiting ACT's website at www.altoonacommunitytheatre.com.

Playing the role of Kris Kringle in "Miracle on 34th Street" is Tim Wherry, making his ACT debut. Tara Enedy, seen last year as a neighbor in "All My Sons," plays Doris Walker, the Macy's Personnel Director, who has raised her daughter Susan (played by 11-year-old Morgan Hinish in her first ACT mainstage show) not to believe in Santa. Shawn Foster, whom ACT audiences will remember as The Narrator in "Blood Brothers," plays Fred Gayley, a young attorney who decides to defend Kris Kringle.

Tom Liszka, a frequent actor, director and technician with ACT, plays Dr. Pierce from the Maplewood Home for the Aged. Michael Kelleher and Tim Matteson, in their ACT debuts, play Mr. Shellhammer, head of Macy's toy department, and Mr. Sawyer, Macy's Vocational Counselor, respectively. Gigi Campbell, last seen as Frau Schmidt in "The Sound of Music," is Miss Adams, Mrs. Walker's secretary.

John Illar, who appeared as Reverend Wooley in last year's "Leading Ladies," is Judge Henry Harpster. Don Balasco, also seen in "Leading Ladies" as the head of the Moose Lodge, is Charlie Halloran, Judge Harpster's campaign manager. Newcomer Robert Igoe plays District Attorney Thomas Mara, and his son Wayne Igoe, plays the DA's son Tommy. Herman Nagle is Mr. Macy and Paul Lockard is Mr. Gimbel.

Also in the cast are Carly Ingold, Andrew Eisel, Elly Eisel, Lynn Eisel, Sylvia Lombardo, Marjorie Long, Bob Matteo, Anne Maucieri, Dawn McCrea, Suzanne McGaffin, Christine Minnigh, Erin Ruggles and Alyson Stevens.

ACT holding auditions for "Miracle on 34th Street"

Altoona Community Theatre will hold auditions for its November production of "Miracle on 34th Street" at 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday, October 4 - 5, in the Barbara Titelman Spessard Rehearsal Hall of the ACT Workshop, located downtown at 1213 12th Street next to Tom & Joe's diner. The show, based on the 1947 book and classic film about a Macy's Department Store Santa who believes he's the real Santa Claus, will be presented November 19 - 22 in the Historic Mishler Theatre, under the direction of ACT Operations Manager Steven C. Helsel.

Total cast size will be approximately 25. There are leading roles for 2 adult males, 1 adult female and 1 young girl, plus a variety of supporting roles in varying sizes for all ages which could be played by males or females. Some roles may be doubled. All roles are available and previous experience or participation in ACT is not required:

• KRIS KRINGLE - Santa Claus
• DORIS WALKER - Personnel Manager at Macy's
• SUSAN WALKER - Doris' 7-year-old daughter
• FRED GAYLEY - Doris' neighbor, a young, enthusiastic lawyer
• DR. PIERCE - Physician at Maplewood Home for the Aged
• MR. SHELLHAMMER - Head of Macy's Toy Department
• MISS ADAMS - Doris' assistant
• MR. SAWYER - Macy's Vocational Guidance and Psychology Counselor
• MR. MACY AND MR. GIMBLE - Owners and Managers of competing department stores
• DR. ROGERS - Chief Psychiatrist at Bellevue
• JUDGE HARPER - New York State Judiciary
• CHARLIE HALLORAN - Judge Harper's political campaign manager
• THOMAS MARA - Prosecuting attorney
• THOMAR MARA JR. - Attorney Mara's young son
• VARIOUS PARENTS, CHILDREN, SHOPPERS, SANTA HELPERS, REPORTERS, COURTROOM STAFF, ONLOOKERS, etc.

Auditions will consist of readings from the script. No advance preparation is required. Rehearsals for the show will begin Sunday, October 11. Performances are November 19 to 22, the weekend before Thanksgiving. For more information, call the ACT Administrative Office at 814-943-4357.