By Charlene Baldridge | Theater Review

In anticipation of yet another Christmas musical in radio-show format, the spirit flagged. Nonetheless, the critic dutifully attended San Diego Musical Theatre’s (SDMT) first outing at the Horton Grand Theatre in the Gaslamp District, to see “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Radio Play.” What a splendid surprise!

Delight begins preshow while contemplating Michael McKeon’s meticulously detailed scenic design, a kinder, gentler, homier atmosphere than any radio studio recreated thus far. We are at KSDMT circa 1947 to witness the Lux Radio Hour broadcast of “Miracle on 34th Street.”

The well-appointed studio has a multilevel playing area with oriental rugs, easy chairs, five microphones, and a keyboard/Foley mini-studio for the announcer, portrayed by Foley artist and pianist Cris O’Bryon.

The New York City skyline is visible beyond, the adapter is Lance Arthur Smith, and the piece, directed by SDMT Executive Director Colleen Kollar Smith, has original music and dynamite arrangements of traditional holiday songs written by Music Director Jon Lorenz

Musically the show is in excellent hands, blessed with excellent original songs/lyrics and snappy arrangements of traditional music. It is filled with a company of fine singer/actors plus the redoubtable Jim Chovick as Kris Kringle, the elderly gentleman who appears from nowhere at Macy’s and after being hired insists he is really Santa Claus. Kris is billeted with an attorney named Fred (Matthew Malecki) who lives in the same building as Macy’s employee Doris (dynamite vocalist Janaya Jones) and is sweet on her. Doris considers herself a realist and thus has raised her prepubescent daughter, Susan (six-grader Julia Van Skike), not to believe in fairy tales like the existence of Santa Claus. Kris proceeds to set the record straight,

Others in the company, who play multiple roles, are Eric Hellmers and San Diego newcomer Lise Hafso. Both are excellent comedians with Hellmers at one point turning in a fabulous duet with himself. The miracle of “Miracle” is that it touches and inspires and uplifts without turning into so much treacle. Kudos to director Smith.

Beth Connelly’s costumes are subtle, with Chovick attired in a period suit with red accessories. (His whispered “It’s Christmas Eve” sent chills up my spine.) Connelly’s double-collared white jacket with perky peplum for Jones sent this woman of the times into orbit. Nate Parde is lighting designer, and Kevin Anthenill, the all-important sound designer.

With 250 seats, the Horton Grand seems a perfect venue for SDMT’s presentation of more intimate musicals. SDMT and Intrepid Theatre share the space, each company devising separate programming.

During the coming season, SDMT will present two musicals at the Horton Grand and three at the Spreckels: the regional premiere of the Broadway musical “First Date,” and the world premiere of “Pump Up the Volume: a ‘90s Palooza,” by Lorenz and Colleen Kollar Smith, at the Horton; and “9 to 5,” “Damn Yankees” and “Billy Elliot the Musical” at the Spreckels.

—Charlene Baldridge has been writing about the arts since 1979. Follow her blog at charlenecriticism.blogspot.com or reach her at [email protected].