Review: Miracle on 34th Street - The Musical is everything a family could wish for

There’s everything you could possibly wish for in Miracle on 34th Street - The Musical including highly talented dancers displaying their fancy moves in a colourful Thanksgiving Day parade to toys which come alive in a scene reminiscent of The Nutcracker ballet.

A little girl’s plea for a new dad and her feisty mum’s happy-ever-after love affair sees the aah factor laid on as thick as a blanket of snow in a show which is unashamedly cheesy.

Heart-strings are tugged to breaking point as a store’s Santa goes on trial for assualt where the burning question in court is: Do you believe in Santa Claus?

Miracle of miracles Santa gets off because the judge believes him, wishes are granted and snow begins to fall on both cast and audience to cap a feelgood, family musical at Chesterfield’s Winding Wheel this week.

Fans of old movies will love this adaptation of the Forties classic which remains true to the period and contains traditional carols.

Signature song It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas is beautifully sung by Claire Hawkins who carries the show in the role of Doris, the woman responsible for hiring a new Santa for Macy’s store.

Nicola Barney enchants as Doris’s daughter who forms friendships with Kris Kringle, alias Santa, and Fred, the ex-Marine turned attorney who helps clear his name.

Events leading up to Santa’s appearance in court are glossed over and the character is rather under-used but Danny Lane who is cast in the role makes the most of his time in the spotlight.

Playing the part of Fred, Carl Lindquist resembles the archetypal American hero, clean-cut and confident with a megawatt smile and golden voice which light up the stage.

Miracle On 34th Street - The Musical jingles all the way through to Saturday, November 28, in the Winding Wheel.

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