Paul Glodfelter, production director, motions to cast members with the Far Off Broadway Players on the set of “A Miracle on 34th Street.” Members were present at a rehearsal at the Historic Plaza Theatre on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021.
(BRENNAN CRAIN/WCLU NEWS)
GLASGOW, Ky. — Energetic cast members with the Far Off Broadway Players were placing the final touches Tuesday evening on this year’s Christmas production — “A Miracle on 34th Street.”
Paul Glodfelter, the production director, said the cast has worked over the last eight to nine weeks on the show. Casting calls began in September, and rehearsals began soon thereafter.
“It’s been hard, you know, with protocols and everything that’s going on in the world — not knowing if people are going to show up,” Glodfelter said. “It’s been a little crazy.”
But the community has stepped up to the plate. A show rehearsal was underway Tuesday evening, and a slew of cast was present.
Charlie Goodman, a local attorney, has participated in local theatre for many years. Goodman and his wife, Peggy, led the resurgence of the Far Off Broadway Players in 2005 when the Plaza Theatre reopened.
Goodman will portray Kris Kringle in this year’s production.
“The actors of worked really hard on this, and we think it’s a wonderful way to kick off the Christmas season,” Goodman said.
The production company presented “It’s a Wonderful Life” in 2019. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a virtual play was presented in 2020.
“We decided that – especially now, our first holiday show back – that we really wanted to do something that just is joyful and spreads Christmas cheer,” Glodfelter said. “I think we all need a lot of that, and this show does that.”
The Far Off Broadway players are long rooted in Glasgow and Barren County’s history. The group officially began in the 1980s, Glodfelter said. The group has connections to the Glasgow Little Theatre, which operated in the 1950s.
But the productions are not casted with professional actors and actresses. They are all community members. The group calls itself “community powered professional theatre.”
“If you’ve ever been involved in community aspects and community shows, this is something that is magical,” Glodfelter said. “We start strangers and end up as family.”
The production is slated to open Friday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m., which is the day after Thanksgiving. Goodman said the play opens during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
“It’s a logical continuation, and we’ve worked really hard,” Goodman said. “We think that’s bound to put anybody who attends in the Christmas spirit that will last through the end of the year.”
Glodfelter and Goodman said advanced tickets sells have been impressive, and plenty of seats continue to be available. To purchase tickets, click here.
Additional showings will be at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday. A final show will be Sunday at 2 p.m.
