Rosebud Theatre & School of the Arts in the Alberta Badlands brings Christmas to life with Miracle on 34th Street. This simple show, with Tim Dixon as Kris Kringle and a tasty buffet, reminds us to believe in hope and community.
The Plot
Valentine Davies’ story inspires this stage adaptation and tells the tale of Kris Kringle, an older man who believes he is the real Santa Claus. The story takes place in New York City at Christmas in 1948. It centers on Doris Walker, a practical single mother, and her daughter, Susan, who has learned to be skeptical about fantasy and imagination.
When Kringle accidentally gets a job as Santa Claus at Macy’s department store, he starts to change the cynical world around him. His true belief in Christmas magic begins to affect the people he meets, especially Susan and her mother. However, when he insists he is the real Santa Claus, it leads to a courtroom fight in which he must prove he is sane and that Christmas magic exists.
The Pre-Performance Buffet
The Christmas dinner buffet before the performance features a festive menu. Options include roasted turkey, tender beef, home-style chicken, hearty lamb stew, and steamed fish for a lighter option.
Side dishes include mashed potatoes, green beans, a variety of salads, fruits, and stuffing. Desserts are Christmas fruit cake, black forest cake, strawberry cream cake, chocolate mousse, and sticky toffee pudding.
What made it special were the student waitstaff. Kate, a third-year student, played the violin and sang in the restaurant. It was like a scene from a Hallmark Christmas movie.
Standout Performances
Tim Dixon as Kris Kringle
I found myself second-guessing everything I thought I knew about Santa. Tim Dixon’s performance was that powerful.
With 30 years of acting experience, Dixon peels back the layers of the traditional Santa character. He’s not the jolly, cartoonish figure we expect. Instead, he reveals a deeply human, passionate, and utterly believable Kris Kringle.
His performance made me realize how much I have stopped believing as an adult. Between childhood and now, I have given up wonder for practicality and magic for logic. Dixon’s portrayal of Kringle reminded me of the pure, unquestioning faith I once had when the impossible really felt possible.
Alice Krogman as Susan Walker
On the night I attended, Alice Krogman was performing, as she and Trinity Reinhardt alternate in the role of Susan Walker.
I was initially skeptical about a child as young as Krogman carrying so many lines in a live performance. But Krogman completely dispelled those doubts.
Her portrayal of Susan Walker is remarkable. She brings a genuine childlike innocence to the role and truly captures the character’s curiosity and gradual awakening to possibility.
Artistic Direction
Craig Hall and Heids MacHawk co-directed the performance, each adding their own artistic vision. Hall became the artistic director of Rosebud Theatre & School of the Arts in January 2025 and has more than 25 years of experience in the performing arts, including time as artistic director at Vertigo Theatre in Calgary.
MacHawk is a multi-disciplinary theatre artist and educator who brings a unique perspective. They hold an FRSA in Acting from Rosebud School of the Arts and have directed productions in Rosebud, Calgary, and Vancouver.
The performance featured students and recent graduates who brought energy and skill to the stage, showcasing the strength of the school’s theatre program. While there were some line mistakes, these minor errors added to the show’s charm.
Information and Tips for Theatre-Goers
Tickets range from $72 for children to $99 for adults, with performances taking place from November 7 to December 23. The theatre is a 70-minute drive from Calgary, and I promise the winter journey through rural Alberta is worth every mile.
Performances come with two dining options. Matinee-goers can enjoy a buffet from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with the show starting at 1:30 p.m. Evening performances feature a buffet from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with the curtain rising at 8 p.m.
I recommend checking the weather, preparing your vehicle for winter, and booking in advance – especially for matinee shows, which tend to sell out quickly.
Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend this show. It rekindled a childlike sense of Christmas that I haven’t felt in years, a feeling I’ll cherish for a long time.
