Making a ‘Miracle’: freeFall’s 9-year-old new star
The seven singing actors onstage in freeFall Theatre’s Miracle on 34th Street – A Live Musical Radio Play are rarely still. Together, they tell the familiar tale of a man named Kris Kringle, who “plays” Santa Claus in Macy’s Department Store. The show is set in 1947 New York City.
One performer – the one in the middle – is considerably more diminutive than the others. Yet she has one of the tallest roles in Miracle on 34th Street.
She’s 9-year-old Mya Simpkins, a 4th grader at Land O’Lakes Christian School. In this production, the iconic story is told in the form of a “live” radio broadcast, complete with fully-sung commercials. While her character is first introduced as child actress “Gracie Demarco,” the audience comes to know her as Susan Walker, the youngster who’s skeptical – at first – about believing in Santa Claus.
“I just love seeing the audience enjoy the wonderful storyline of the show,” Mya explains. “I like seeing their faces while we’re telling the story.”
The adults in the cast, according to Mya’s mother, Melissa Simpkins, have been great to work with. “They definitely treat her like family,” she says. “She’s the young one in the show, and they definitely help to elevate her performance. Standing next to these professional adult performers, and her being the only kid, she really has to tap into her acting side. They’ve all been extremely complimentary, and welcomed her with open arms. They’ve always encouraged her and supported her onstage.
“The family-like camaraderie between the small cast, that’s a really special thing to be a part of.”
Mya, who performed in her first show at 6, has been in large – very large – casts before, at the Francis Wilson Playhouse, Richey Suncoast and Center Stage Youth Theater.
She had the lead roles in Matilda and Annie, and played Brigitta in The Sound of Music.
Although the Susan Walker character in Miracle has a lot of dialogue, Mya says Matilda was more difficult to memorize because she had numerous monologues.
Still, this was her debut on a professional stage. “For the first couple of shows, I was really nervous,” she admits. “But then I got used to the audience.”
Cast member Julia Rifino praises Mya’s talents. “She came in super-prepared. She’s got such a great voice, and she has really good instincts. That was something that we all noticed right from the bat – she has just a clear and genuine delivery of all of the lines. So we knew that she was just perfect for this role, and a perfect addition to this story.”
Part of Mya’s contribution, adds Rifino, is a “wholesome presence” and sense of childlike wonder. “It’s helped us remember that experiencing Christmas through the eyes of a child is just something like no other. Her youthful energy, her spirit, her faith in Santa Claus and Christmas, it fills us with delight to be able to share that with her, and tell that story with her.”
There are two movie versions of Miracle on 34th Street – the 1947 original, with Edmund Gwenn as Kris and a young Natalie Wood as Susan, and John Hughes’ 1994 remake starring Richard Attenborough and Mara Wilson.
Mya has seen them both, and she prefers the 1947 “classic,” black and white version. “It just seems more old-fashioned.” she says, “And for some reason, it’s great.”
Mya, who’s an only child, explains that her mother helps her rehearse, and drives her to St. Petersburg every show day. Mom’s always in the audience.
“I’m definitely not the stage mom pushing my kid into the spotlight,” Melissa Simpkins laughs. “She asked to do this. Like every parent does, we started by putting her into different things to see what she enjoyed. We tried gymnastics, we tried dance, we tried horseback summer camp.
“She’s always had a love of music, ever since she was a little baby. And because of her ability to memorize words so quickly, we thought theater was a good place to challenge her brain. Every show challenges her in a different way. Every show that she’s done has helped her to grow in some way.
“I tell her all the time that as long as she has a love for it, and as long as she’s putting in the work, I will get her there.”
Mya is ready to go. “My goal,” says the young star, “is Broadway, movies and stuff like that.”
For tickets and additional Miracle on 34th Street information, click here.
