Don’t miss your chance to see a Miracle on the South Arkansas Arts Center stage! The play is perfect for the entire family and tickets are $5 for students/children, $10 for SAAC members, and $15 for the general public. Make reservations by calling 862-5474.

The Simmons Bank sponsored play opens in the Callaway Theater on November 27 at 7:30pm. Evening performances will continue at 7:30pm on November 28 and December 4, and 5. Matinee performances will be at 2:30pm on November 29, December 5 and December 6.

Lynn Gunter, the director of “Miracle” has selected 37 talented adults, teens, and children from across our region to bring this Christmas favorite to the SAAC stage for the very first time. Over the course of the next few weeks, Gunter will lead her cast of new and familiar faces through the many hours of rehearsal required to mount this modernized retelling of the 1947 Christmas classic.

Filling the roles made famous by Maureen O’Hara and a young Natalie Wood are Donna Coker as Doris and Margaret Meyer as Susan, her daughter who dares us to believe. Joining them on stage are Phil Pinckard as Kris Kringle; Renea Lyles as Shellhamer; Jessica Raines as Sawyer; Darrell Luce as Fred; Jamie Ogle as Dr. Pierce; Cary Reams as Macy; Jim Roomsburg as Bloomingdale and Finley; Monique Aaron as the Judge; Deondre Jackson as Mara; Avrey Davison as Mara, Jr.; and Bob Stephenson as Halloran.

Helping Santa control the crowds are his legion of elves portrayed by Josie Denson as the Head Elf and Andrell Brown; Carmelo Brown; Bekah Gunter; Elise Lyles; Kennedy Langston; and Emily Williams. Recreating the colorful characters of NYC during the holidays are Nicholas Colvin as Duncan; McCoy Davison as Johnny; Alec Gatewood as Al; Kari Gatewood as Sharon’s mom; Marta Jinks as Johnny’s mom; Nancy Rae Kinard as the Rich Lady and a Macy’s clerk; Kelly Mathews-Reams as the Bag Lady and Mrs. Mara; Mikki Patterson as Foster mom; Nyla Moore as Megan; Abbey Williams as Sharon; Camden Sanford as Lou; and David Guida as Drunken Santa.

The show would not be complete with a crew of Santa “believers” played by Ellis Lyles; Ava Ogle; Bailey Ogle; Chloe Patterson; and Sydney Patterson.