Spotlight On: Julian Schranz
Connecticut Theatre Company’s “Spotlight On…” series continues with a look into the cast of Miracle on 34th Street. Get to know Julian Schranz who is in the Ensemble of our production!
Introduce yourself to our audience.
I’m Julian Schranz, and this is my first production at Connecticut Theatre Company (but hopefully not my last!). When not doing theatre-related things, you can find me painting, dancing, or building toys in Santa’s workshop…
What makes the stage version of Miracle on 34th Street different from the classic film, and what does the live theater format bring to the story?
A big part of what makes Christmas so special is togetherness. Many of us scarcely find other times of year to bring our families and friends together to celebrate the magic of giving. Watching a wonderful story like this one unfold, rather than on a screen, produced live by people in your community, among other joyful patrons… now that’s truly a great way to feel the charm and glee of Christmas!
What was a surprising or unexpected challenge that arose during the rehearsal or performance process?
Working with young children in a production has been something new for me, but it has been so much fun!
What’s your process for memorizing lines?
I like to record myself speaking the other characters’ lines so that I can use the audio to practice my own lines.
What’s the most challenging role you’ve ever played and how did you prepare for it?
In a college production of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime”, I played a police officer who treats a child in a reprehensible way. As an actor, part of your job is to find empathy and connection with your character, even if that character is “bad.” It can be a difficult task when your character behaves in ways you would condemn, but it is important to find that empathy and connection in order to fully bring the character to life.
What’s the last thing you do before you step out on stage / the curtain goes up?
I gather up all my Christmas whimsy and remember that it’s all about “peace, good will and helping others”!
What is your favorite Christmas memory, and why?
Because my grandmother lives on the other side of the Atlantic, she used to visit only once a year, and it was always during Christmastime. That made this time of year all the more special to us. We would bake almond crescent cookies together, and I liked to sneak in a few bites of delicious but forbidden raw dough…
What do you hope audiences, particularly those who already love the film, will take away from this live production?
There’s good reason “Miracle on 34th Street” has had so many adaptations… every telling is new, different, and brings new ways of spreading the Christmas spirit. Plus, in live theatre, every night is inherently different – but all are equally fantastic!
“Miracle on 34th Street” opens on December 5th and runs through December 14th at Connecticut Theatre Company. Tickets on sale now!
“Miracle on 34th Street remains one of the most popular classic Christmas films in the history of cinema, and is so in large part because of its themes of family, new beginnings, and trusting in what we believe.” — GREG HEILMAN of The Sound On Stage
“At its heart, Miracle on 34th Street champions the triumph of faith—not just in the extraordinary but in the goodness of others.” — SABRINA WALLACE of BroadwayWorld.com
