Easy Street stages 'Miracle' comeback

After a full year out of the spotlight, Easy Street Productions is back just in time for Christmas with a brand new holiday CD and completely reimagined show. For more than 20 years, “Miracle on Easy Street” has been an annual family tradition for many theatregoers in the Mahoning Valley. New York may have Radio City and the Rockettes, but Youngstown has Powers Auditorium and the Easy Street Dancers. When co-founder Todd Hancock fell ill this year and needed surgery, there was some speculation that the production might not take place at all. But after a long recovery, Hancock, along with Maureen Collins and company, are back and ready to perform their Christmas spectacular Dec. 17 through the 19 at the DeYor Performing Arts Center.

When originally staged at the Uptown Theatre in 1989, the cast consisted of a mere eight performers. This year’s extravaganza will feature more than 100 singers, dancers, and “Little Rascals.” In addition to the 12 new songs and dance routines added last year, Easy Street promises even more surprises for returning audience members to enjoy in 2010.

Although there have been many changes over the years, some aspects of the show have remained the same. Easy Street co-founders Maureen Collins and Todd Hancock will once again host the event. Musical director Jeff Sanders will also return with an expanded Easy Street Little Big Band blending a mixture of the season’s most popular tunes both old and new. Dancers from studios all across the valley will perform new routines featuring a wide variety of styles including tap, jazz and hip hop by the show’s longtime choreographer Renee Rogers.

Fans and holiday music lovers will be able to bring Easy Street’s “Miracle” home this year. The troupe’s new Christmas CD “Believe in Miracles; The best of Miracle on Easy Street” is now available and features more than 20 seasonal favorites sung by Collins, Hancock and Easy Street alumni James McClellan, Colleen Chance, Illa Willis, Candace Campana, Alyssa DiBernardi, Layla Harrison, Gina Martini and Rosie Jo Neddy. The disc includes past favorites as well as all of the new arrangements added to the show.

A CD launch party was scheduled for Nov. 24 at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in the shops at Boardman Park.

Miracle on Easy Street show times are 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19. Tickets and CDs can be purchased at the Easy Street Box Office, 865 Mahoning Ave. or charged by phone at 330-743-8555. For more information, visit Easy Street’s new website www.easystreetshows.com.