of art & design
Wed-Sun, Nov 18-22
Wed-Sun, Dec 2-6
(8pm Wed-Sat, 3pm Sun)
Titmus Theatre, Thompson Hall
Tickets available at Ticket Central, online (click for link)
or telephone 919.515.1100
It’s a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play
Adapted by Joe Landry, with original music and musical arrangements
by Kevin Connors
Directed by Allison Bergman
You may have seen the movie a hundred times, but chances are you’ve never seen this beloved holiday classic come to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast, complete with surprise audience musical interaction and a visit from Santa! The quirky ensemble of characters brings the town of Bedford Falls and the beloved George Bailey to the stage, framed by hair tonic and toilet cake commercials by the Jingle Singers and live sound effects by the curmudgeonly sound technician (played by William Harris). The play is the first at NC State for the new assistant director, Allison Bergman, an award-winning stage director from Los Angeles, by way of New York, and co-author of the recently published theatre training book, Acting the Song.
Bergman says, "Retelling the story of It’s a Wonderful Life through
a 1940’s radio broadcast invites the audience to recall the film and its
important message about man's worth, while joining in on the story as the
live studio audience of the radio show. Applause signs, commercials breaks,
and sound effects created on stage are all part of the fun... and of course,
it's all in the spirit of Christmas."
The cast features newcomers Matthew Lemmons as Jake Laurents, who plays George; Rhonda Lemon as Anita Meyers who plays Schultz and Robert Dockery as Barry Barrowman playing Mr. Potter. Returning to the stage are Stuart Heinrich (Amadeus) as Harry “Jazzbo” Heywood, who plays Clarence; Zac Schnell (Dearly Departed, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Christmas Belles) as Edgar Cedars playing Uncle Billy and George Kaiser (Amadeus, Never the Sinner, A Few Good Men) as Gary Gordon who plays brother Harry; Liz Cervantes as Sally Applewhite who plays Mary and Laure-Nelle Parnell (The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Dearly Departed) as Lana Sherwood who plays Violet.
"Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life is a classic that'll
never to be surpassed by any remake. But what this play has to sacrifice,
it makes up for with its original twist, its clever use of props, entertaining
voices and a love story that you want to witness over and over again." --Teresa
Errico, Fairfield County Weekly (Connecticut)
"A well-loved tale told with style, charm and a heart so big it could
burst the ribcage of the harshest Grinch." --Kerry Reid, The
Chicago Tribune
"A fresh theatrical context that creates just the right kind of retro
warmth. If you cry every time you see the movie, you'll be blubbering away
right on cue...Guaranteed." --Chris Jones, The Chicago Tribune
"One of the best holiday shows around. This is a fresh and inventive way
of reconnecting with a classic story of love and redemption." --Mary
Houlihan, Chicago Sun-Times
Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. New York City
TICKET INFORMATION: Visit our website at http://www.ncsu.edu/arts, 919.515.1100.
For more information: 919.515.1100 or www.ncsu.edu/theatre or email universitytheatre@ncsu.edu
Individual tickets: Adults $17 ($15); seniors, NCSU faculty and staff, students,
alumni association members, parent association members and Encore, $15 ($13);
NCSU students $5 (Discounted prices in parentheses are for weeknight productions)
Tickets available at Ticket Central, online (click for link) or telephone 919.515.1100
COMING SOON
Cast List with bios
Poster (right click and save, large file)
For more information: 919.515.1100 or www.ncsu.edu/theatre or email universitytheatre@ncsu.edu