'Yes, Virginia' brings immortal editorial to life at Majestic Theater
Nov. 28—POTTSVILLE — A heartwarming Christmas tale was depicted Sunday in the production of "Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus" at the Majestic Theater.
Sunday's performance was the end of a three-day run of the play, which was partially sponsored by the Republican Herald. The play, written by Jamie Gorski, was inspired by real events transpiring from a simple question: "Is there a Santa Claus?"
That inquiry was submitted to The New York Sun by 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon in 1897. In response, Sun editor Francis P. Church wrote what is believed to be the most reprinted editorial in the English language.
"Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus," Church wrote. "He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy."
About 125 years after the editorial's publication, the Majestic Theater presented its adaptation of the classic tale in a riveting production directed by Samantha Simatos.
A taut, understated play, "Virginia" focuses on serving its story, along with its themes of celebrating Christmas and keeping its magic alive.
The story revolves around Virginia (Genevieve Smith), who questions the existence of Santa Claus after her friends have told her he isn't real. She ultimately crosses paths with Church (Peter Schachte), who is depicted as a struggling reporter on the brink of losing his job.
As Church faces his own set of challenges, Virginia sets about to write to the newspaper, emboldened by her father's advice that "if you see it in the Sun, it's so."
On Christmas Eve, a hopeless, stressed-out Church is tasked with writing a response to the inquiry from Virginia, whose name he does not recognize at the time.
He reluctantly takes on the assignment, struggling at first, but later throws himself into the task wholeheartedly. What follows is a tale of wonder, redemption and joy as the O'Hanlon family sees the editorial printed in the paper the next day and Virginia's belief is validated.
Featuring a mixed-age cast and simple, but effective, set design and direction, "Virginia" served as a rousing introduction to the holiday season from the Majestic Theater.
Other characters in the play included Mother O'Hanlon (Melissa Rozetar), Father O'Hanlon (Nate Heater), Samantha O'Hanlon (Madison McBreen) and Walter Gibson (Marcus Smith), the Sun's editor-in-chief.
After the performance, Genevieve Smith thanked the theater and the Republican Herald for their involvement in the production. She also extended her thanks to tech director AJ Avezzano; tech assistants Ryleigh Marr and Kamryn Felty; and Simatos, whom she called "the best director in the world."
The final scene in the play featured all 16 cast members, who shared the stage to read Church's immortal editorial.
As evidenced by the continuing popularity of the play and the story on which it was based, Church's words ring true to this day and inspire countless numbers of people each holiday season.
"(Santa Claus) lives forever," Church wrote. "A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood."
Contact the writer: hlee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6085
