Dormont Elementary Presents 'Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus'

In 1897, 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the New York Sun newspaper asking a simple question: Is there a Santa Claus?

The editor's answer—"Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus"—has been told and retold in storybooks and cartoons, and now Dormont Elementary School will present the live-action play.

"Yes Virginia: The Musical" will run at 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13 at Dormont Elementary School.

Dormont Elementary was one of 100 schools across the nation that received a $1,000 grant from Macy's to help with the production costs of putting on the play. Macy's also made the script and musical score for the play available to the schools for free.

First-year music teacher Rob Naser applied for the grant and is directing the play.

"We are all very grateful for Macy's help in putting on this production and we are very excited to start our own tradition of bringing the stage to life and giving our students an opportunity to share their talents with the community," he said.

"Yes, Virginia: The Musical" is part of Macy's Believe Campaign, which supports the Make-a-Wish Foundation. The campaign encourages children of all ages to drop their stamped letter to Santa at the red Santa Mail letterbox at their local Macy’s. For every letter received, Macy’s will donate $1, up to $1 million, to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The nearest Macy's to Dormont and Brookline is at South Hills Village Mall.

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