By Jamie Johnson
Correspondent
The holiday season is about to get more exciting: the 1940s Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” is being resurrected this month at the Performing Arts Center, but with a twist.
The Old Pros theater group will be staging a live radio broadcast based on the holiday movie.
It will be the first full-stage Old Pros production for a live audience in nearly two years.
“We wanted to do something before the end of the year that’s the safest and easiest” for the cast, said director Carol Glenn.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” tells the tale of George Bailey, a well-meaning man who has become too downcast to continue living and considers his fate one Christmas Eve. The angel Clarence is sent from heaven to show George what life would be like if he hadn’t been born. George has a change of heart and comes to understand the true spirit of the holidays.
The inspiration for the show came from Glenn and her love for the holiday season. With the pandemic still looming, she felt the community needed an uplifting, cheerful moment.
“This show has such a beautiful message for all of us right now getting through it day to day,” Glenn said. “We have to keep reminding ourselves what it would be like if we weren’t there. We make a difference.”
Especially in these uncertain times, Glenn said, we need to remember the spirit of the holidays and the joy of being together.
The concept of the Old Pros’ show is like no other. The classic film is transformed into a live radio broadcast, transporting the audience back to the time before television, when radio was the center of entertainment in the home. The production focuses on the sound effects and music, just like old-time radio, and it even has commercials.
The stage will be set up in two sections: one side will have the actors performing the characters’ dialogue, and the other will be designated to the Foley art.
Foley art is the creation of sound effects with everyday objects that are dubbed into movie and TV productions to enhance the audio quality. In the Old Pros’ radio play, those sound effects will be created live on stage by Mark Rabinowitch and Sharone Rosen.
The original radio script consisted of five actors performing a total of 30 characters. The Old Pros’ performance will have three actors play the main characters of George Bailey, Mary Bailey and Clarence the Angel, while the rest of the characters are played by an ensemble of five actors.
George Bailey will be played by Michael Pontecorvo, Mary Bailey will be played by Esther Chun, and Clarence the Angel will be played by Leroy Wood. The ensemble consists of John Edmiston, Wendy Hames, Elissa K. Senter, Bill Reed and Larry Irion.
“I found the easiest way to direct is to have good casting. With the right casting, it’s a joy,” Glenn said. “You guide them along in the right direction and watch them grow into the role, which is the exciting part.”
Many of the actors have performed on the PAC’s stage in previous shows. But because of the pandemic, they’ve had to put their theatrical skills aside. Now that the theater is open again and this production is underway, the actors are thrilled to be back.
“I have always secretly wanted to act and sing but thought it too impractical,” said Chun. “As an older adult, I am ecstatic to pick up this passion again … taking the plunge.”
Glenn wanted to keep the Old Pros’ play as close to the original radio version as possible. The production will have two commercials performed by the actors on stage. The show will also have a 15-minute intermission.
“We have a great family situation here and we’re putting on a family show with a wonderful meaning,” Glenn said. “I’m so happy to see it go up.”
“It’s a Wonderful Life” will be staged at the Performing Arts Center on Friday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 12, at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $12 and $15 and are available at the PAC box office or online at tickets.lagunawoodsvillage.com. Call the box office at 949-597-4289.