Have you somehow got the idea that Santa Claus is not real?

When the matter goes to court, Santa wins.

How is that possible, you may ask?

That’s where the “Miracle” comes in.

“Miracle on 34th Street the Play” continues through Dec. 17, The Pennsylvania Playhouse, Bethlehem.

The play is adapted from a novel by Valentine Davies and based on the Twentieth Century Fox motion picture of the same title. Carrie Beleno is director of the excellent Playhouse production.

Kris Kringle (Paul Kodiak), though down on his luck and unsheltered, keeps telling people that he is, in fact, Santa Claus. As convincing as Kringle is, it doesn’t seem to make an impression on the people he meets. Clearly, this is nonsense that no one believes.

Macy’s hilariously-drunk Santa (Gary Boyer), waiting for the Thanksgiving Day parade to start, also doubts that fellow street person Kris Kringle is legit. When Macy’s Santa passes out on the street and can’t be moved, he has to be replaced.

Kringle lands the job as Macy’s new department store Santa, but he proves to be a complete failure as the store’s shill for overstocked toys. Instead, he sends customers to competing stores if the toy is less expensive there.

When corrected by his uber bureaucratic superiors Doris Walker (Moriah Wilt) and Shellhammer (Daniel VanArsdale), it’s realized that Kringle thinks, “The important thing is to make the child happy.” So, if Macy’s doesn’t have the toy at a price the parents can afford, it is Santa’s duty to refer them to a store where the same toy is more affordable. This is, of course, is not store policy.

Word gets out that Macy’s has a new, radical policy that reflects the true meaning of Christmas gift-giving and Macy’s getting the credit. Owner Mr. Macy (Gary Boyer) lauds Kringle’s attitude. This meets the full support of Kringle’s charmingly entertaining elves (Kayli Silimperi, Hannah Zarate and Dominick Dinzey).

Gregory J. Wintle (Fred Gayley) is super as the lawyer for Kringle and love interest to divorced Doris, Macy’s human resources manager. Doris’ charming daughter, Susan Walker (Lucy Schneck), approves of Fred. Apparently, little girl’s wishes can be granted by Santa.

Foster Mother (Katie MacMillan) shines as she brings orphaned Dutch Girl (Audrey Seely) to see Santa. “Sinterkalus! The universal appeal of Santa Claus is clear when Kringle converses with the little girl in her native language. Seely shows her versatile skills in this role as well as in the role of Janet.

Megan (Laila Asghar) and Sharon (Riley Marto) help set the festive tone when visiting Santa at Macy’s.

Cara Padilla Jensen (Mara) is wonderfully stern as the attorney for the state in the court scene. She doubles as Johnny’s parent in a visit to Macy’s Santa.

Johnny Bertone (Jim Duncan) provides levity the zoo keeper at the zoo where Santa’s reindeer are temporarily stabled. He also portrays Sharon’s parent on a visit to Santa.

Multidimensional Denise Shelton excels in transforming one-dimensional characters in believable personalities, first as Bag Lady on the street, then as Mrs. Macy.

The medical profession is represented by an imminently-likable friend to Kringle, Doctor Pierce (Stephen Simone) and by equally-unlikable and unstable Albert Sawyer (Matthew Contakes), store guidance counselor and enemy to Kringle.

John Corl (Judge Harper) is delicious as he seeks to reconcile the problem of getting reelected with the public outcry expected if he rules against Santa. It’s a toughie, but he finds a clever legal solution.

Corl does good double duty in the role of a Rich Person as he looks down his nose at the street people grubbing for a living.

Kudos to Costume Designer Todd Burkel. His costuming sets a perfect tone for this Christmas classic.

Brett Oliveira designed the set and lighting for the play. The Macy’s and courtroom scenes are realistic and imaginative.

Sound and projections operator Colin Bartelt’s efforts, casting festive feel and then somber moods, support the action on the set perfectly.

“Miracle on 34th Street,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16; 3 p.m. Dec. 3, 10, 17, Pennsylvania Playhouse, 390 Illick’s Mill Road, Bethlehem. Tickets: 610-865-6665, http://www.paplayhouse.org/