Literally hundreds if not thousands of 10 and 11-year-olds in Canada are in drama classes and plays. Only a handful will ever appear in a professional theatre mainstage.
Two lucky kids are being featured in Caleb Marshall’s adaptation of Miracle on 34th Street at the Sudbury Theatre Centre from November 21 to December 14: Sofie Mais from Fredericton and Samuel Leach Jarrett from Sudbury. The play promises to be an STC spectacular event for the entire family.
Miracle on 34th Street, a Christmas movie favourite, tells the story of a Macy’s Department Store Kris Kringle and his impact on many including the cynical 11-year-old, Susan Walker. This particular Kris Kringle seems to think he’s the real Santa Claus. Caleb Marshall, who premiered this production at Theatre New Brunswick last season, invited Sofie Mais to Sudbury to play Susan once again. She’s truly perfect for the part.
What’s it like to leave school for five weeks and move to Sudbury?
“My whole family traveled by car from Fredericton with me; both my parents and my siblings but my Mom is the only one who will stay for the full five weeks in Sudbury. I’m pretty lucky to have that kind of family support. And besides doing the play, I have to try to keep up with my school work all the time I’m here. My school is really supportive, too.”
Samuel Leach Jarrett, a 10-year-old Grade 5 student at Sudbury’s RL Beattie Public School, has the support of his family and school as well. The two youths work eight, occasionally twelve-hour days, the same as the adults in the cast and are determined to pull their own weight. But that doesn’t seem to be a problem. Both clearly love it.
As Sofie says, “We get the same breaks as everyone with no special exceptions but no one is really hard on us. Everyone is thoughtful and makes sure we are taken care all the time.”
Sam adds, “And in rehearsal, Caleb is very patient with us and takes all the time we need to get it right. I guess you can say ‘It’s a job’ but it’s much funner than I expected.”
What’s the attraction for an 11-year-old?
“I really like impersonating someone else on stage. Susan Walker is not like me at all. She’s grown up not believing in happy endings and knowing that you have to be careful of being hurt. Then, during the play, I have to take her to a place of happiness and trust. All this comes from her meeting Kris Kringle and the new neighbour Mr. Gailey.”
Samuel is delighted that Mortimer, one of the two characters he plays, is “mean and stuck up”, qualities clearly absent in Sam. Playing spoiled or bratty on stage is pure delight.
Both Sofie and Sam agree that it’s fun to be in the show, but the there is one thing they are both not fond of.
“Memorizing lines is difficult. We have to learn our blocking [the movement] for every scene too, but that’s easier than learning all the lines.” Both students are bright, articulate French Immersion students.
Do Sofie and Sam have stars in their eyes for a life in theatre?
“I’m not quite sure but it’s definitely one of my options,” says Sofie. “It’s a really good experience and even if I end up not doing it, this’ll help me when I’m older.”
For Sam?
“I wouldn’t want to be an actor. I now have a good idea how hard it is to be one and that they mostly get turned down over and over before they get a part.”
“A role is like a dress,” chimes in Sofie. “Sometimes it fits and sometimes it doesn’t.”
Wise words.
Sudbury audiences are in for a magical theatre experience with Caleb Marshall’s STC directing debut. It’s a classic storybook, happily-ever-after experience made all the more powerful by a perfect Kris Kringle, legendary 76-year old theatre veteran Walter Learning.
Sofie’s heart seems to melt a little as she explains, “ I’ve always believed in Santa Claus and I’m still a believer. Christmas is so magical and I love the idea of a jolly old man caring about kids and delivering presents to them.”
Are you a believer? I believe.
Miracle on 34th Street plays four weekends from November 21-Dec 14: Thursdays through Saturdays at 7 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Call Sudbury Theatre Centre at 705-674-8381 or book on line at sudburytheatre.ca. Special family packages and pricing as well as host nights for staff business parties are available.
