It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas November 11, 2010

In his incomparable style, Meredith Willson, the author of The Music Man and The Unsinkable Molly Brown, tells the classic story of a white-bearded gentleman, claiming to be the real-deal Santa Claus, as he produces a genuine holiday miracle in It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas. The musical adaptation of the popular holiday favorite “Miracle on 34th Street” will bring holiday cheer to Theatre at the Center’s 20th Anniversary, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana, November 11 through December 19, with the press performance on Sunday, November 14 at 7 p.m. The production will be directed by William Pullinsi.

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas opened in October 1963 at the Shubert Theatre in New York and played for 338 performances. The story tells the tale of a skeptical little girl who doubts the existence of Santa Claus. When the real Kris Kringle inadvertently is hired to represent jolly St. Nick in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, he must convince the child and her cynical divorced mother (the department store's special events director) that he's the genuine article. A feel-good musical featuring a memorable holiday score including the title song, this production will leave even the youngest audience members smiling and humming a tune.

The all-star cast of It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas includes Robert Hildreth as “Kris Kringle”, Kelli Morgan as “Doris Walker”, Grace Goble as “Susan Walker”, Jeff Diebold as “Fred Gaily”, David Perkovich as “Marvin Shellhammer”, Peter Kevoian as “R.H. Macy”, Livvie Goble as “Henrika”, Spencer Burse as “Harry Finfer”, Blake Spillers as “Tommy Mara” and ensemble members Amy Brophy, Shelley Crawford, Robert Deason, Tony DiPisa, Jenny Guse, Ron Keaton, Ben Kirberger, Alex McCrary, Nicole Miller, Reid O’Connell, Megan Simmons, Cory Stonebrook and Peter Vamvakas.

Joining Director William Pullinsi and Choreographer Linda Fortunato will be Musical Director Bill Underwood. The design team for It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas is Scenic Designer Jack Magaw, Lighting Designer Denise Karczewski, Costume Designer Brenda Winstead, Wardrobe Supervisor Alice Broughton, Wig Designer Kevin Barthel, Props Designer Libby Fandrei and Sound Designer Barry Funderburg. The Stage Manager is Rebecca Green and the Assistant Stage Manager is Frank Paul.

Founded in 1991, Theatre at the Center is a year-round professional theater at its home, The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Theatre at the Center is conveniently located off I-80/94, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago, and has free parking.

Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m.; and select Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. Individual ticket prices range from $36 - $40. To purchase individual tickets, call the box office at 219.836.3255 or Tickets.com at 800.511.1552. For groups of 20 or more, call 219.836.3258. Gift certificates, perfect for all special occasions, and for Theatre at the Center’s 2010, 20th anniversary Season Subscriptions are available by calling the Theatre at the Center box office at 219.836.3255. For more information on Theatre at the Center, visit www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com. For more information, to purchase gift certificates, and/or individual tickets, call the Box Office at 219.836.3255, Tickets.com at 800.511.1552 or visit www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com.