Terrace Little Theatre's unique presentation of "It's a Wonderful Life: On the Air" begins its run this week. Peter Church's radio show rendition of the beloved movie classic is coming to the McColl Playhouse.
It is in the style of an old-time radio play where actors are portrayed in a radio studio, as when the original came out in 1946, only a few thousand wealthy U.S. Americans could afford televisions. A trio of singers adds to the studio atmosphere by singing commercial jingles from the 1940s. The vintage recreated commercials will include advertisements for cigarettes, beer, shampoo and hair products.
It is directed by Mariane Brorup Weston, an award-winning actor, designer, director with 30 years of community theatre experience. The music direction is by Robin Hollett, who is well-known for her actor-singer role in the wildly successful Nunsense musicals, and has previously worked as a producer and director in plays.
"A really exciting part is that we're doing live sound effects," said Weston. "They are being done by what's known as a Foley artist, a profession in performance arts. We have everything from horse hooves, gunshots, wind blowing, doors opening and closing, getting slapped, people running up and down stairs, chimes from heaven. All that stuff is being done by an artist who has this big workstation with all his various contraptions on it."
The first show is on Nov. 28. Its November dates are the 28, 29 and 30. In December, the show will run on the 1, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 15. Performances running on Thursday, Friday and Saturday begin at 7:00 p.m., while Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets are available at Misty River Books, Eventbrite and at the door.
