Sophomore Zac Cary and freshman Delaney Echelmeyer will be starring in the 1940s musical,  “Miracle on 34th Street” that will take place from Dec. 19-21 at St. Charles Community College (SCCC). The musical is about a man who claims to be Santa Claus, but is then labeled as insane.

“I like the overall feel-good story line,” director Brisby Andrews said. “Just the fact that the bitter mom learns to give fantasy a second chance, and finds goodness, kindness, and a sense of fun that she can share with her daughter simply through meeting an elderly man.”

Cary plays Mr. Sawyer, a cynical psychologist seeking only personal gain, while Echelmeyer plays his kind-hearted and caring secretary, Miss Crookshank.

“I play the secretary to the psychologist, and I think my character is a really kind person despite the fact that the psychologist is rather mean to Miss Crookshank,” Echelmeyer said.

Cary started acting when he was at kindergarten day camp. At first, he had no interest in acting at all, and was “thrown into it.” However, as soon as he tried it, he enjoyed acting. This musical will mark his 24th production, one of many at Young People’s Theatre (YPT), a musical theater group that gives the experience of a professional theater to students ages 8-18.

“I’ve been doing plays with YPT since I was younger, and it’s like a home to me,” Cary said.

As for Echelmeyer, this musical will mark her ninth production. She got her start in acting when she was in sixth grade, where she saw an audition form and thought that a play would be a fun thing to be part of.

“My favorite part is having the ability to put myself in another person’s shoes,” Echelmeyer said. “And when you put yourself in someone else’s shoes, you understand yourself more.”

As the show approaches, Andrews is excited for this production because she loves the story line and enjoys working with the talented group of kids participating in the play. Andrews hopes to see the transformation of her actors as they portray their roles on stage.

“It’s incredible to see the transformation of a child who really does want to do the job from the beginning to the end, and to see all the elements come together,” Andrews said. “As a director, you get to see every element come together, and it’s just so cool.”