Dreamin’ of a White Christmas

Can you hear the sleigh bells in the distance? The soft padding of reindeer feet on freshly fallen snow? The sound of Santa ho ho hoing as he slips down your chimney? The holiday season is approaching, and with it comes amazing annual theatre productions, the foremost of which are produced by the acclaimed San Diego Musical Theatre. Founded in 2006, SDMT has quickly risen to become a go-to company for standout musical productions—and part of what got them noticed was their annual performance of White Christmas.

For the last five years, SDMT has performed Irving Berlin’s musical White Christmas, a Christmas tale in which veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander. Funny and sweet, this is San Diego’s final chance to see White Christmas performed with SDMT at Spreckels Theatre, running from November 25th–December 4th. While White Christmas is coming to a close, SDMT has a burgeoning tradition in their midst: from December 1st–December 24th, the production company will be performing the heartwarming classic Miracle on 34th Street at the Horton Grand Theatre. Though both the venue and the production are new to SDMT’s repertoire, the famed local company is guaranteed to bring the iconic radio play to life in an unforgettable way. The company is newly adapting their version of Miracle on 34th Street from the radio play based on the 1947 film.

We spoke with Colleen Kollar Smith—the Executive Director of SDMT and the director of Miracle on 34th Street—as well as writer Lance Arthur Smith—the man adapting the radio play into a stage production—about their two fresh and fun upcoming holiday shows.

This is your fifth and final year producing White Christmas. What’s it been like for SDMT to produce this show for the last five years?

Colleen Kollar Smith: White Christmas has delighted audiences during the holiday season over the past five years, but it has also been [a] great source of joy and pride for our staff, performers and musicians as well. Many of the cast members have been with the show since the first year, and each year it becomes a homecoming and reunion for our artists. 

This is your first year producing Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Broadcast. How did you choose to produce this radio play?

Colleen Kollar Smith: At the Horton Grand, we wanted to create a new holiday tradition for our audiences by taking something familiar and putting a little twist on it. With Miracle on 34th Street, we are adapting the radio broadcast of the classic Academy Award-winning film, adding original music and fresh arrangements of favorite holiday tunes and creating an experience where our audience will feel like they are a key-player as the live-studio audience. We are also working with the Horton Grand Hotel to be able to offer special events for families in conjunction with the show, so finding a piece that would appeal to every generation was a priority in deciding what show to produce. 

Lance Arthur Smith is adapting the piece from the original broadcast; what’s it like adapting and working from the source material?

Lance Arthur Smith: This is a unique process in that I'm adapting a radio play—itself adapted from the motion picture screenplay—into a live theatrical musical. Using the original as a template, I'm able to utilize our talented actors and live foley artist to create something truly magical. Having Jon Lorenz (music and arrangements) as a collaborator invigorates and challenges me, as I'm a big fan of his music. The central theme of Miracle on 34th Street is belief—[belief] in yourself, in your community and in the magic of the imagination. This was present in the original 1947 broadcast, and Colleen, Jon and I have made it the focus of this new version. 

What makes Miracle on 34th Street stand out as a holiday production?

Colleen Kollar Smith: Our creative team is working together to make this a total experience for the audience. From the moment you walk in the door, we want you to feel as though you’re walking into a 1947 Hollywood recording studio. We have an incredible cast of seven multi-talented performers—four of whom will voice dozens of characters. The entire soundscape— footsteps, door slams, the bustle of the NYC streets and rustle of Macy’s bags—will all be created by our foley artist live every night (applause and laughter courtesy of our audience). 

This is your first time performing at the Horton Grand Theatre; what’s it like transitioning into this new space?

Colleen Kollar Smith: Moving into the Horton Grand allows SDMT to produce musicals downtown all year round. We’ll continue to produce our Broadway Series at the Spreckels Theatre, and the new venue allows us to produce more intimate productions with longer runs. While this will be SDMT’s first production in the new space, the artistic team of Miracle on 34th Street has a strong history there, as Jon and I co-created the musical revue Mixtape which ran for over three years at the Horton Grand with Lance in the original cast. 

Finally, why are the SDMT holiday shows important to your yearly lineup?

Colleen Kollar Smith: Many of our subscribers were first introduced to SDMT through our holiday productions. Since our shows are a great way to get into the holiday spirit and celebrate with a group, we see a lot of families, reunions and office parties. People who might not have heard of us get a taste and want to order the whole meal with a subscription. 

San Diego Musical Theatre’s recently announced 10th season includes their Broadway Series at Spreckels with classic shows such as 9 to 5, Damn Yankees and Billy Elliot, which will be co-produced with California Ballet. While Miracle on 34th Street will be SDMT’s inaugural production at Horton Grand Theatre, the company will perform two other shows at the venue this season: First Date and Pump Up the Volume: A 90s Palooza.

Subscriptions for the entire season are available now, as are tickets for the two holiday shows. Step into a winter wonderland and draw out the holiday spirit with the final production of White Christmas and the premiere production of Miracle on 34th Street. 

For Related Articles Try:

White Christmas at San Diego Musical Theatre

SDMT's 2017 Season

How the Grinch Stole Christmas