Do you believe in Santa? Blanketed in the warmth and nostalgia of Christmas, Flathead High School Theatre will explore the magical faith of childhood and the truth behind Santa Claus’ existence in “Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus.”

The show is at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14 in the David M. Hashley Theatre at Flathead High.

Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children, students and senior citizens. Tickets are available at the school’s main office and Photo Video Plus. Seating is limited for this holiday production, so patrons are encouraged to pick up tickets early.

Based on a late 1800s true story, “Yes, Virginia” is a heartwarming story that follows the inquisitive 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon on a journey to discover if Santa Claus is real. After hearing her father say, “If it’s in the New York Sun, it must be true,” she decides to write a letter to the editor of the Sun to answer the question once and for all.

Frances Church, a down-on-his-luck reporter whose faith in life is floundering, receives the letter on Christmas Eve and publishes a timeless, front-page editorial response that inspires hope and wonder.

“‘Yes, Virginia’ is a sweet and heartfelt play about hope, the magic of the holiday spirit and realizing in the end that believing is proof enough,” said the show’s director and Acting 2 instructor, Liz Sykora.

“This account is a fantastic true story. Virginia O’Hanlon really existed! There have been many songs, television specials and plays written about her story and Church’s editorial response. This story is often an overlooked part of the Christmas tradition.”

Written for the stage by Jamie Gorski, “Yes, Virginia” is a fast-paced show that pays homage to the classic holiday films of the 1940s. With a mixture of tear-jerking moments and light-hearted scenes, this production is one the entire family will enjoy.

“This play will help us all get into the holiday mood, but not in the typical Black Friday sense. This play will fill you with Christmas magic,” Sykora said. “There are lots of magical Christmas surprises in this production.”

The David M. Hashley Theatre has been transformed into a giant Macy’s store front window decorated in Christmas’ finest. Christmas carolers will setting the festive mood, and concessions of cookies and hot chocolate provided by Flathead High’s Family and Consumer Sciences Department will be available before the production.

This production of “Yes, Virginia” is presented by the Flathead High Acting 2 Class. Acting 2 is one of nine classes offered as part of the school’s theater program curriculum.

Acting 2 students learn about various theories of acting in the classroom setting and then participate in a theater production that allows them to experiment with acting techniques and creating characters.

The students also are responsible for set, lighting, costume design and publicity for the show.

“The Acting 2 class is the first production-based class for students at FHS and is a building block for further theater classes. Most of these students have enjoyed being in plays before in middle school, but few of them have ever been on the FHS stage,” Sykora said.

“This group of students is truly extraordinary with so many great ideas. While I act as director, the students have had genius ideas that I have incorporated into the vision and the show itself.” 

“Yes, Virginia” features Justin Auterson, Marshall Bessette, Courtney Hammer, Tristin Hennessey, Monica Holmes, Seonna Lamoreaux, Thomas Mazziotti, Nicole Mehring, Alaina Mothershead, Bailey Pike and Incarnadine Vernon.

The technical crew is led by student director and stage manager Jahlen Salazar, and includes Brittany Kretske, James Early, Anna Milheim, Kaitlyn Williams, Caitlyn Ackroyd, Gabe Shea, Josh Dimond, Jenna McGuire and Jaben Wood.