Taking a cue from the classic dramas of radio's golden age, this adaption of the classic Frank Capra film will be presented live on stage, as if it were an actual 1940's radio show. The actors will be dressed in 1940's era costumes, reading from scripts in front of period microphones, while a sound man provides all of the appropriate sound effects. This beloved Jimmy Stewart film has been faithfully adapted for the stage (and the radio) by author Joe Landry.
The show features an all-star cast of many popular Central Illinois performers including Ed MacMurdo as George Bailey, Mary Young as Mary Hatch Bailey, Phil Funkenbusch as Clarence Oddbody - Angel 2nd Class, Leigh Steiner as the Head Angel, Don Schneider as Mr. Potter, Tom Shrewsbury as Uncle Billy, Paul Presney, Jr. as Peter Bailey, Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson as Mrs. Bailey, Grace Smith as Violet Bick, Mac Warren and Brett Rutherford as the Sound Effects men and Dennis Rendleman, Gus Gordon, Claire Gordon, Jim Leach, Pat Foster, Cassy Gaddis, Alyssa Gaddis, Geoffrey Leathers and Charlie Germann in supporting roles.
Gordon Productions was founded in 1999 by Gus and Claire Gordon with the goal of producing quality small-scale theatrical productions in Central Illinois. They have staged successful productions of FOREVER PLAID, MY WAY - A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO FRANK SINATRA, GREATER TUNA and many others.
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY will be presented in Theatre 1 at the Hoogland Center For The Arts on December 3 and 4 at 8:00 p.m. and on Sunday, December 5 at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $10. Call 217-523-ARTS (2787) for tickets. The Center For The Arts is located at 420 South Sixth Street in Springfield, Illinois.
WUIS/WIPA is the media sponsor of the show, and will be recording the performance for broadcast over the holidays. So you'll have the chance to come see the show as a member of the "live studio audience," and then hear the results broadcast on WUIS/WIPA. WUIS is located at 91.9 on the FM dial. WUIS will be celebrating its 30th year on the air in January of 2005.
The cast of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE - A LIVE RADIO PLAY
Click here for rehearsal photos:WONDERFUL LIFE
Click here for performance photos:WONDERFUL LIFE