San Diego Musical Theatre's "Miracle on 34th Street"

Bryan Banville and Katie Banville in "Miracle on 34th Street."  Photo courtesy of San Diego Musical Theatre

            At the Horton Grand Theatre downtown, San Diego Musical Theatre is staging Miracle on 34th Street, a “Live Musical Radio Play” that has become a yuletide tradition for the company. This year boasts an almost entirely new cast – the versatile Steven Freitas, who sometimes plays two characters at the same time, is the one returnee from 2017. Among the fresh faces to the show are Bryan and Katie Banville, as well as young Isabella Pruter, who dazzled earlier this year in the San Diego Rep’s musical Fun Home. Ralph Johnson takes over the role of Kris Kringle. Miracle is a sentimental, Santa-centric affair that doubles as free advertising for Macy’s. Given the declining state of brick-and-mortar department stores, the pub can’t hurt, especially at this time of year.
            Miracle on 34th Street runs through Dec. 23.