Miracle
aka Miracle on 9th Street

History:

This play was originally written and directed by Dan in 1983. It's a localizes version of "Miracle on 34th Street", set in downtown Allentown in the 1930's-1940's, pitting local department stores Hess's and Leh's against each other.
Many years later it was adopted by another theater for its annual Christmas play. Dan did some serious rewriting and the play was produced to favorable reviews (see below).

When:

1983 at Civic Little Theater
1997 at Pennsylvania Playhouse
1998 at Pennsylvania Playhouse

Scott's Comments:

When first produced in 1983 I was the stage manager and Dan was the director.
In 1997 I acted in the play as Richard Hartzel, the radio announcer. My 5 year old son, Danny (yes, he's named after Dan), appeared as chorus and also one performance as Billy, the boy who asks Santa for a fire engine that "really shoots water". Also, my older sons, Andrew and Jerry, helped with the stage construction.
In 1998 I returned as Richard Hartzel, the radio announcer. My son Danny also returned as a chorus member. My son Jerry had his first acting role as a teen chorus member. A nice thing about this production was that Dan was in town visiting family and friends during the rehearal period and was able to meet the cast.


Related Articles

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PAST
DAN ROEBUCK'S HOLIDAY `VISIT' TO VALLEY IS SIMPLY A `MIRACLE' BACKSTAGE

The Morning Call Newspaper Company
by Myra Yellin Outwater (a free-lance writer)
Friday, December 12, 1997

`MIRACLE' FEATURES FINE PERFORMANCES
PERFORMERS SHINE IN CLASSIC ADAPTATION DESPITE THE AWKWARD TRANSITIONS

The Morning Call Newspaper Company
by Stephen Parrish
Monday, December 8, 1997