Spotlight On: Rachel Harrington
Connecticut Theatre Company’s “Spotlight On…” series continues with a look into the cast of Miracle on 34th Street. Get to know Rachel Harrington who in the Ensemble of our production!
Introduce yourself to our audience.
Hello!! My name is Rachel and I am in the ensemble for this wonderful play.
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?
With this play being based upon an amazing Christmas movie, something that makes the stage play different than thet movie is that it gives a variety of characters a chance to shine in the spotlight.
What was a surprising or unexpected challenge that arose during the rehearsal or performance process?
What’s your process for memorizing lines?
What’s the most challenging role you’ve ever played and how did you prepare for it?
I haven’t had many roles, this being my third play overall that I’ve done. That being said, the most challenging role that I’ve played was Princess Petunia in a musical called “Twinderella”. I had a difficult time finding the character within myself so I prepared for Petunia by reading/watching things with princesses in them to get a general idea of how a princess would be.
What’s the last thing you do before you step out on stage / the curtain goes up?
The very last thing I do before going on stage is I jump up and down and shake my arms to disperse the nerves within.
What is your favorite Christmas memory, and why?
My favorite Christmas memory is coming home from either school (when I was younger) or work and seeing the Christmas tree up and only lit with warm white incandescent lights, no ornaments on it yet. The warm Christmas feeling it gives every time is something that sticks with you.
What do you hope audiences, particularly those who already love the film, will take away from this live production?
I hope the audience will leave the theater with the spirit of Christmas, something both the classic movie and the play heavily express. Christmas is a time for family and caring for one another, no matter who they are.
“Miracle on 34th Street” opened 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
