Every year Todd Hancock tweaks Easy Street Productions' holiday show "Miracle on Easy Street," adding new songs or bringing back numbers that haven't been performed for awhile.
But he also knows that what's most important are the things that don't change.
"I really think what keeps people coming back is the consistency of the show rather than the new stuff," Hancock said. "As long as we have the toy soldiers and Santy Elvis, I don't know that most people remember we had 'Silver Bells' one year and 'My Favorite Things' the next."
Many of the traditions the theater company has established will return for the 24th edition of "Miracle," which will be staged for two school and four public performances this weekend at Powers Auditorium.
Those paying attention will notice some changes from last year.
Jeff Sanders, leaders of the Easy Street Little Big Band, will be playing "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," which hasn't been in the show for about eight years, Hancock said. The Elvis Presley-style arrangement of "Here Comes Santa Claus" is back in the show after a 10-year absence.
Fact Box
WHAT: Easy Street Productions - "Miracle on Easy Street"
WHERE: Powers Auditorium, 260 W. Federal St., Youngstown
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday
HOW MUCH: $28 adults, $23 students and senior citizens and $15 for children ages 12 and younger. For tickets or more information, call 330-743-8555.
For the second year, James McClellan will be joined by his siblings, Eric McClellan and Janeen Williams, in the production, which will include a new tribute to Andy Williams, who died earlier this year.
Hancock and Easy Street co-founder Maureen Collins will serve as hosts for the show, and Sanders is musical director. They will be joined by regulars Colleen Chance, Katy Collins, Candace Campana, Layla Harrison, Gina Martini and Rosie Jo Neddy as part of a cast featuring more than 140 singers, dancers and "Little Rascals."
The "Little Rascals" are split into two troupes with 40 members, with each group getting to do one school show, one matinee and one evening performance.
"The workshops started taking off and got so big, we needed a way to get more kids in the show," Hancock said.