The musical “Miracle on 34th Street,” being staged at the Coaster Theatre, includes six children who play multiple roles. Pictured at back are Elena Schlip, left, and Chelsea Munguia Oros. In front, left to right, are Coltrane Simmons-Rivera, Jasper Dante, Logan Rainey and Lucien Taylor.

The most famous American Christmas miracle is coming to Cannon Beach.

The Coaster Theatre concludes its 2023 season with “Miracle on 34th Street.” The musical will open Friday with 12 performances to follow, including matinees on Nov. 26 and Dec. 3, 10 and 17. The show concludes with two midweek shows the week before Christmas (Dec. 20 and Dec. 21).

“It is such an American nostalgic piece,” said Patrick Lathrop, executive director of the Coaster Theatre. “Many of us grew up watching ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ every Christmas when it would come on TV. The play is fairly true to the movie. We are excited to offer this for the Christmas season.”

The script is by Meredith Wilson, also known for “The Music Man.” It is based on the 1947 movie. As well as winning three Oscars, “Miracle on 34th Street” has been honored for its cultural value by the U.S. Library of Congress.

Wilson’s musical version was first staged on Broadway in 1963, then titled “Here’s Love” — one of the songs from the show.

The Coaster production is directed by Jeffrey Swanson, who moved to Seaside a couple of years ago after a 40-year career teaching music in Seattle. He noted that the show is a change of pace from his professional career in which he directed choirs, jazz groups and a full pit orchestra.

Swanson, previously served as musical director for the Coaster’s 50th anniversary Christmas show “Scrooge: The Musical” in 2022 and has written incidental music for other projects. He spent all summer condensing the orchestral scores for the multiple songs so he could play them on keyboards.

In addition to this, marshaling 18 cast members aged 6 to 77 has been a challenge, but he said it is all worthwhile.

“It has a lot of humor and character to it and it’s bringing us all the spirit of Christmas,” he said. “The music is interesting, and the characters are a little bit odd. The kids are darling.”

The cast features Emily Dante as Doris, a no-nonsense single mom who works for Macy’s department store. Her love interest, played by Mick Taylor, seeks to woo Doris in part by taking her daughter Susan (Chelsea Munguia Oros) to visit the store’s Santa Claus.

There they encounter Kris Kringle, whose claim to be the real Santa sparks the action.

The character is played by Rob Bjornstad, a retired Lutheran minister, who appeared in a Coaster version of “A Christmas Carol” about six years ago. “Five months ago, they said, ‘We need a Santa!’” said Bjornstad, who began letting his white beard grow out in preparation.

He visits South County grade schools helping run a food-for-kids program. “Just having a beard like this, I feel a responsibility for the kids,” he laughed. “If they ask if I am Santa, I say, ‘Sure.’”

As well as Oros, there are five other child actors in the cast, Logan Rainey, Jasper Dante, Lucien Taylor, Elena Schlip and Coltrane Simmons-Rivera.

Their contribution delights Bjornstad. “You get to see younger people and their excitement, and it is fun seeing it all come together,” he said.

The cast includes Coaster stalwart David Sweeney in a comic role as a store worker and Bennett Hunter as Mr. Macy, the store owner. Other adult roles are filled by Rachel Stahly, Brian McMahon, Betsy McMahon, Carolyn Anderson, Harper Raymond, Annie Naranjo-Rivera and Kristin McLaughlin. Costumes are by Sondra Gomez and lighting design by Mick Alderman.

The deeper meaning of the story isn’t lost on Swanson.

“It’s about imagination and things that are difficult for us to understand, like Santa Claus,” he said.

“We are so focused with material things that we don’t stop to see what is important in life, which is love. ‘Here’s Love’ was the first title. Everyone is supposed to love everybody, and that’s the kind of larger message — believe in magical things and have love for everybody.”

‘Miracle on 34th Street’

‘Miracle on 34th Street’

A play by Meredith Wilson

Coaster Theatre Playhouse, 108 Hemlock St., Cannon Beach

7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, additional shows on Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 16; 3 p.m. matinees begin Sunday and run through Dec. 17; additional shows on Dec. 20 and 21

Tickets are $25 to 30, online at www.coastertheatre.com