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Sweet play just right for holiday season
By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN HUDSON -- Say the name "Meredith Willson," and people think The Music Man, Willson's greatest creation and one of Broadway's all-time classics. But Willson did other shows, including the spunky The Unsinkable Molly Brown and the sweet Here's Love, the definitely upbeat, Willson-flavored take on the holiday favorite Miracle on 34th Street. Here's Love comes to the Show Palace Dinner Theatre beginning today for a six-week run. In it, the sophisticated city kid Susan Walker (Amber Toye) takes after her mom, Doris (Laura Anne Hodos): practical, self-sufficient and definitely not a believer in anyone as hokey as Santa Claus. Into their lives comes a kindly bearded gentleman (Joseph Parra) who has recently taken the job as Santa at Macy's Department Store, where Doris works. Only thing is, the man insists he is indeed Kris Kringle. Young Susan is very skeptical about his claim. But as time goes on, his warmth, sincerity and affection begin to win her over, and she begins to convince the entire state of New York that Santa Claus has arrived on their doorstep. Even Mr. Macy (Tom Bengston) starts making friends with Mr. Gimbel (Steven Flaa). Just as all seems to be working out for everyone, a cynical psychologist declares that Kris Kringle is crazy and threatens to throw him in jail. The show is suitable for all ages and seems especially timely, not only because of the holiday season, but because of the Manhattan locale and references to enduring New York icons: Macy's, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Gimbel's. The most recognizable song in the show is It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, though there are also sentimental and hummable tunes such as You Don't Know and Look, Little Girl, and toe-tappers like the parade song, Arm in Arm ("tune up your paper comb . . ."). As for the cast, Ms. Hodos is returning in the lead role of Doris Walker just as she winds up a stint as Sister Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls, which ended its run at the Show Palace on Sunday. Playing her love interest, Jon Frazier makes his Show Palace debut as Fred Gaily. Frazier has played in several regional theater productions and was featured in the films What Women Want, Stolen Summer and the just-completed independent film, Cast of Thousands. Equity actor Joseph Parra says he "is pleased to be making his Show Palace debut as everyone's favorite person in the whole wide world," namely Santa Claus. Parra has performed in theater, films and television and appeared in many print ads. He has performed at the Asolo Theatre, Florida Repertory Theatre, Gorilla Theatre, Alhambra Dinner Theatre (Jacksonville) and Golden Apple Dinner Theater. He appeared in the movies The Godfather, Broadcast News, Suspect, Gardens of Stone and Zelig, among others. He played John Thorn on Ryan's Hope. The cast also includes child actors Teddy Toye, Katherine Sokolowski, Joseph Sokolowski and Katie Russo. Other Show Palace veterans in the cast are Joe Carlucci, Scott Wright, Sara Del Beato, Susan Haldeman, Eric Scalise, Steve Rossi, Adrienne Phillips, Andi Sperduti and Aaron Wooten. At a glanceWHAT: Here's Love WHERE: Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson WHEN: Today-Dec. 26. Shows are at 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays and 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Doors open two hours before the show for buffet and cash bar. TICKETS: $35.95 for dinner and show, $24.95 for show only. Ages 12 and younger, $19.95 and $14.95. Call (727) 863-7949 or toll-free 1-888-655-7469.
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