Theatre Bristol presents 'Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus'

BRISTOL – "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus... He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist..." Dramatized as a live 1940s radio show, Theatre Bristol brings the classic holiday story, "Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus," to the Cameo Theatre stage, 703 State St., weekends Dec. 12 through 21. Tickets are on sale now at www.theatrebristol.org/tickets. A young girl writes a letter to the editor of the New York Sun. "Dear Editor, I am eight years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says if you see it in the Sun, it's so. Please tell me the truth. Is there a Santa Claus?" Ed Mitchell, the editor played by John Runde, assigns Frank Church—a reporter on the verge of self destruction played by Justin Collea—the task of answering a question posed by Virginia O'Hanlon, played by Abby Cheek. Based on a true story, Church's quest and reply have become one of the world's most quoted and beloved editorials. In this production, the cast portrays 1940s radio actors with The Mummers Little Theatre of the Air where Andy Kristofek II is the announcer and Scott Hill is the sound engineer and foley artist, Jim. Virginia's father, James O'Hanlon, is performed by Johnny Archer, her mother Evie by Lindsey Holderfield, and her brother Sean by Mason Mangrum. Family friends include Dominic Donneli played by Richard Albright and Celeste Donneli by Cristy Robinson. Virginia's friends are Maria Donneli played by Eliza Brown, Julie by Lola Dew, and Susan by Katie Collea. Neighbor Mrs. Goldstein is played by Myssi Feagans, local bar owner Otho and bossman Chambers by Tony DeVault, local store owner O'Hara and laborer Shannon by Ned Zeiler, postman Schuller and laborer Red by Kris Mangrum, laborer Scotty by Adam Robert, and bossman Tom Pryor and dockworker Goss by Freddy Heath. Church's reporter colleagues at The New York Sun include Andrea Borland played by Jeanette Winston, Teddy Murray played by Sylas Lawson, and Art Fritz played by Bentley Forinash. Rival newspaperman Cornelius Barrington is played by Ned Zeiler, with colleagues George played by Freddy Heath and Sam played by Adam Robert. The 1940s radio actors also portray other characters and effects as well throughout the production for a heartwarming presentation for the whole family. The production team includes director Samantha Gray, stage manager Ann Vance, costume designer Rebecca Ryan, costume assistant Adriel Slaughter, lighting designer and sound engineer Albert Tester, set designer and sound effects designer Camille Gray, and sound effects designer and foley artist Scott Hill. Performances are at the Cameo Theatre, weekends, Dec. 12 through 21, Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 5:30 pm and Sundays at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $16 for adults for $18.88 with card fees, and $12 for seniors and students for $14.38 with card fees, and are available at www.theatrebristol.org/tickets. Theatre Bristol's "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus," is produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois. For more information, visit the Theatre Bristol's website or Facebook page, contact Theatre Bristol at 423-212-3625, or email info@theatrebristol.org.