A year after taking a break from community theatre, Coquitlam resident Lisa Pope was looking to get back to the stage.
She saw her chance with the fledging POMO Players.
A rebrand of the IOCO Players Theatre following the departure this summer of founder and artistic director Mike Arseneault, the theatrical troupe in Port Moody was calling for directors for its inaugural production — Miracle on 34th Street.
Pope reached out to Arseneault to see if she would be a good fit, given her performance and directorial experience with the Stage 43 Theatrical Society in Coquitlam.
Luckily, Pope won the gig and, next month, she’ll mount the play four times at the Inlet United Church at The Springs with a cast of eight adult actors (including her husband, Kyle MacDonald) and six children (including her 11-year-old daughter, Lucy MacDonald).
Co-produced by Jenny Norris and Paul Wiebe, the holiday show is suitable for viewers of all ages, said Pope, an educational assistant at Pinetree Secondary in Coquitlam who has also brought two Pinetree students into the cast: Audrey Kim and Sophia Salahi.
“It’s a feel-good show that’s great for families," Pope told the Tri-City News Friday, Oct. 18.
"Grandparents can see it with their grandchildren and get into the Christmas spirit.”
Described as a stage reading, the play is an updated version of the classic Hollywood movie about a department store Santa who claims to be the real Kris Kringle.
Pope said she watched two Miracle on 34th Street films — the original 1947 flick starring Maureen O’Hara, John Payne and Natalie Wood — and the 1994 iteration featuring Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins and Dylan McDermott — for research.
And she and her cast added some modern twists to the 2000s script for their Port Moody audiences: Telephones are cell phones and the Shopping Channel reference is now described as online shopping.
As well, Pope is introducing children in the Elf Chorus to sing during the scene changes.
“It’s not a musical, but there is a lot of music woven throughout it,” Pope said.
“It’s such a great community event for Port Moody, the City of the Arts. It’s very important that we keep live theatre alive in Port Moody.”
Advance tickets at $25 are now for sale for Miracle on 34th Street via TicketOwl.io. Tickets are $30 at the door on show nights: Nov. 21, 22 and 23 at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Nov. 23.
The POMO Players cast:
- Brian Larson = Kris Kringle
- Alina Quarin = Doris
- Paul Wiebe = Fred
- Kate du Cros = Shellhammer, Mara
- Deanna Kayne = Dr. Pierce, Foster Mother, Newscaster
- Judy Flaten = Sawyer, Rich Person, Duncan
- Nancy Ebert = Bag Lady, Sharon’s Parent, Macy, Halloran
- Kyle MacDonald = Drunk Santa, Johnny’s Parent, Bloomingdale, Judge Harper
- Molly Chuang = Susan
- Grace Arnott = Elf, Sharon, Child 1
- Lucy MacDonald = Elf, Dutch Girl, Janet, Pedestrian 3
- Francisco Cabrera Ponce = Elf, Child 2, Johnny, Pedestrian 1
- Audrey Kim = Elf, Megan, Pedestrian 2, Al
- Sophia Salahi = Elf, Bailiff Finley, Lou
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