Broadway Pitches In to Help Operation Santa Claus

Most children’s letters to Santa Claus never get opened, let alone answered. That’s why, for the third consecutive year, the League of American Theaters and Producers is participating in Operation Santa Claus, a U.S. post office program that helps bring holiday gifts to children and families in need.

In 2001, Broadway director Scott Ellis envisioned a system in which members of the theater community would bring “Dear Santa” letters to Broadway houses and encourage company members and audiences to fulfill the gift requests of needy New York City children. This year, from December 10 through 13, members of the casts of 42nd Street, Beauty and the Beast, Brooklyn The Musical, Chicago, Hairspray, Mamma Mia!, Reckless, Rent, The Lion King, Twelve Angry Men, Wicked, and Wonderful Town will be making post-curtain speeches and handing out letters to the audience.

Mary-Louise Parker, currently starring in Reckless on Broadway, is appearing in special public service announcements airing on WABC-TV. “I am happy to represent the Broadway community’s participation in Operation Santa Claus,” stated Parker. “I have been personally involved for many years in this important program. It is so crucial for theatergoers to know that, by answering letters from these children, you can share the joy of the holidays with a family in need.”

“The Broadway community is very caring and giving of their time and resources, and so are its patrons,” said Jed Bernstein, president of the League of American Theatres and Producers. “We are delighted to be participating once again in this worthy and important cause, which is so close to our hearts.”