Second Street Players are inviting audiences to celebrate the holidays with warmth, laughter, and a touch of nostalgia as they present Coney Island Christmas at the Riverfront Theater, 2 South Walnut Street in Milford. The production runs November 28–30 and December 5–7, 2025, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7:00 PM and Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM
Directed by Rachel Loper of Milford and John H. Hulse of Rehoboth Beach, Coney Island Christmas is a heartfelt story by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Donald Margulies. This holiday tale blends humor, music, and reflection in a story that speaks to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Tickets are $27, with a $2 discount available for seniors, students, and Second Street Players members.
Set in 1930s Brooklyn, the play introduces audiences to Shirley Abramowitz, a spirited young Jewish girl who surprises her family and community when she’s cast as Jesus in her school’s Christmas pageant. The story unfolds through the eyes of an older Shirley, who recalls the event for her great-granddaughter, weaving together themes of family, identity, and understanding across cultures.
Margulies, best known for his plays Dinner with Friends and Collected Stories, wrote Coney Island Christmas in 2012 as a commission for the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. Inspired by Grace Paley’s short story “The Loudest Voice,” Margulies crafted a play that captures the immigrant experience and the universal meaning of belonging during the holidays. The show quickly became a favorite among community and regional theaters for its warmth, humor, and message of inclusion.
“Coney Island Christmas reminds us that the holidays are about more than tradition—they’re about connection,” said co-director Rachel Loper. “It’s a story that embraces diversity and celebrates the joy of community.”
Second Street Players’ production continues the theater’s commitment to inclusive storytelling. The organization emphasizes diversity in casting and production and is supported in part by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.
Tickets and additional information are available at the Second Street Players website. Patrons may also email them or call (302) 422-0220 for assistance.
Coney Island Christmas is presented through special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.
