Local cast shines in BLT’s ‘Dad’s Christmas Miracle’

Published 1:23 pm Thursday, December 11, 2014

“What to do? What to do?”

Several aspects of “Dad’s Christmas Miracle” revolve around that question in Brookhaven Little Theatre’s first production of its 2014-15 season. The play opened last weekend at The Haven and continues this weekend with performances Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

In the play, young Connor Murphy wonders what to do about school grades that he thinks aren’t good enough to land him the go-cart he wants for Christmas. His father struggles with what to do about meeting the demands of the holiday season, namely how to pay for the children’s Christmas presents while also tending to an elderly relative’s needs. And everyone ponders what to do about Connor’s sister who won’t tell anyone what she wants for Christmas, preferring instead to simply pray for it.

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All the answers are revealed in humorous and touching ways.

Director Matt Coleman has assembled a great cast of BLT veterans and newcomers to the stage for his directorial debut.

“Dad’s Christmas Miracle” is told from the perspective of a now-grownup Connor Murphy, played by James Minter. A veteran of countless BLT productions, Minter delivers another great performance as the play’s narrator.

Helping to move the narrator along is his old sixth-grade teacher Miss McLaughlin, who prods him to “stick to the facts” in telling his tale and comforts him when some of those facts are a little hard to recall. Sherry Barry is outstanding in her first role for BLT.

Jack Lowery plays the role of the young Connor Murphy with ease. Though young, Lowery has been in several theater productions and his on-stage experience shines through in this role.

Central to much the action is Dad, played by Larry Baker. Baker conveys well the stern but caring parent who wants to provide for his children but doesn’t know exactly how to so in the face of the family dilemma.

Dorothea Holley makes a welcome addition to the BLT stage as Mother. Holley is perfect in the June Cleaver-esque role while standing my her husband and looking out for her children.

Other Murphy family members include Jenna Segura as Connor’s sister Jessica and Jonah Clark as older brother Frank. Segura adds another high-quality performance to her resume while Clark does well in his first experience with the theater.

Gracie Gray and Stone Spann play young Connor’s buddies, A.J. Garner and Tater Taggart, respectively.

Gray is terrific as the smartest member of the trio and the audience will love Spann as he makes the most of his character’s limit number of lines, particularly as they relate to the play’s Christmas pageant.

Rounding out the cast are Marley Myers as Harriet and Savannah Taylor Holley, who plays Jessica’s friend Madelyn. Myers is hilarious as the slightly annoying neighbor who drops by at some interesting times and Holley offers a quality performance as the friend is who looked to for help in finding out what Jessica wants for Christmas.

While not seen on stage, several members of the Lincoln County Choral Society help out as the play’s choir. They provide several funny takes on some classic Christmas songs.

With the play going back and forth between the present and the past, lighting is important. Greg Russell, along with Jana Russell, Johanna Russell and Pat Lowery, makes the transitions seamlessly.

The set is an integral part of any stage production and BLT has another good one for “Dad’s Christmas Miracle.” Handling set design and construction were Minter, Coleman, Baker, Greg Russell, Dorothea and Taylor Holley, Terry and Lisa Britt and Gray.

While many of the characters on stage wonder what to do about their various situations, what you need to do is plan a visit to The Haven Theater for “Dad’s Christmas Miracle.”

You are sure to love the production as a welcome way to kick off the holiday season and get into the Christmas spirit. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime. Don’t miss it.