Do you want to start your vacation with a little nostalgia, fun and good humor? LeGacy Presents’ current production of “It’s a Wonderful Life—A Live Radio Play,” based on the Jimmy Stewart film that airs on television every Christmas, is moving, uplifting, original and a very good play adapted for the scenario by Joe Landry. . Instead of a fully performed stage version of that old film, the novelty in this production is created by presenting the actors as if they were famous 1940s radio personalities voicing a radio drama of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” , and you, the live audience, are watching them present the radio broadcast. To enhance this illusion, actors hold scripts, wave and play to the audience, sit at the back of the stage when not speaking, and move around the stage and between the various microphones placed at the front of the stage. . In addition to the look of a live radio broadcast, the set designed by Les Solomon and Michele Nesbit has microphones on stands used by the actors, an array of sound effects implements, and large electric “Applause” signs on either side of the set. backdrops that are illuminated when the audience goes to applaud. One of the funniest aspects of broadcasting’s conceit is its use, visibly and from the front of the stage, of old-fashioned methods of creating sound effects, such as turning the handle of a wheel to make it sound like the wind or rustling snowflakes. corn to ring. like walking through snow or hitting a leather strap on a table to make it sound like a slap. I’m not old enough to have heard plays performed on the radio, but LeGacy’s reenactment made that past experience very real for me. And Michele Nesbit’s wonderful costumes aptly authenticate the ’40s era portrayed on stage, enhanced by Les Solomon’s creative lighting design and Hunter Reed’s effective sound design. The icing on the proverbial cake is the original ambiance and transitional music composed and played live on piano by the talented Sky Seals. The production benefited greatly from Sands Hall’s effective and imaginative direction (he often moved his actors as if they were dancing a waltz across the stage) and from the fluid, fluid ensemble acting. The seven performers were well cast and contributed wonderfully to the dialogue and action, sometimes sweet, sometimes sad and often funny. The very natural interaction between the actors and the audience created the believable effect that you were actually in a live radio audience, watching those on stage broadcasting to the world. With the exception of John Ficarra, who plays a very convincing George Bailey, the other six actors play at least two roles. Andie Schaffer (mainly as a warm and caring Mary Hatch Bailey), Paige Cartzdafner and Del Dozier (mainly the “Foley” artists who create the sound effects), and Judy Merrick (who humorously portrays dozens of people), juggle with their roles, usually using simple accessories such as a hat or shawl to represent various characters. The other two actors, Philip Jacques with his wonderful portrayal of the villainous Mr. Potter, and Bruce Barnard as the sweet, worried angel Clarence, excellently changed voices and postures to play a dizzying number of roles without confusing the audience. Even if you’ve seen the movie several times, you’ll find a lot to enjoy in this adaptation of the radio show. Just like a comfort food, “It’s a Wonderful Life — The Live Radio Play” will warm your insides and hit the spot. And the holiday season is the perfect time for this kind, charming, and charming show. It will run at the Nevada Theater through December 24. Hindi Greenberg has only seen the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” once, and that was enough. Too cloying for your taste. But I would watch LeGacy’s radio play again. It is much more creative and entertaining.
Meet and go THAT: “It’s a wonderful life… A live radio play” WHEN: Friday and Saturday from December 21 at 7:30 pm Sunday Matinees December 8, 15 and 22 at 2 pm, UNO Thursday Night Show, December 19 at 7 pm SPECIAL Closing Matinee Christmas Eve, 24 December at 2 pm WHERE: Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad Street, Nevada City TICKETS: $25 in advance, $30 at the door, with special reserved seating available for $35. GENERAL admission tickets available at The Book Seller in Grass Valley, Harmony Books in Nevada City and ALL tickets available online at www.legacypresents.com or by calling (530) 268 5419. { related_content_uuid}2f15561b-e128-4e7f-b452-13991e7a86fe{/related_content_uuid}
On the cover Paige Cartzdafner, Del Dozier, Andie Schaffer and Judy Merrick in LeGacy’s “It’s a Wonderful Life—A Live Radio Play,” photo by Sharla Cartzdafner. { related_content_uuid}22bf238b-a342-48c9-abd8-1728b2dbfd14{/related_content_uuid}
Do you want to start your vacation with a little nostalgia, fun and good humor? LeGacy Presents’ current production of “It’s a Wonderful Life—A Live Radio Play,” based on the Jimmy Stewart film that airs on television every Christmas, is moving, uplifting, original and a very good play adapted for the scenario by Joe Landry. .
Instead of a fully performed stage version of that old film, the novelty in this production is created by presenting the actors as if they were famous 1940s radio personalities voicing a radio drama of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” , and you, the live audience, are watching them present the radio broadcast. To enhance this illusion, actors hold scripts, wave and play to the audience, sit at the back of the stage when not speaking, and move around the stage and between the various microphones placed at the front of the stage. .
In addition to the look of a live radio broadcast, the set designed by Les Solomon and Michele Nesbit has microphones on stands used by the actors, an array of sound effects implements, and large electric “Applause” signs on either side of the set. backdrops that are illuminated when the audience goes to applaud.
One of the funniest aspects of broadcasting’s conceit is its use, visibly and from the front of the stage, of old-fashioned methods of creating sound effects, such as turning the handle of a wheel to make it sound like the wind or rustling snowflakes. corn to ring. like walking through snow or hitting a leather strap on a table to make it sound like a slap. I’m not old enough to have heard plays performed on the radio, but LeGacy’s recreation made that past experience very real for me. And Michele Nesbit’s wonderful costumes aptly authenticate the ’40s era portrayed on stage, enhanced by Les Solomon’s creative lighting design and Hunter Reed’s effective sound design. The icing on the proverbial cake is the original ambiance and transitional music composed and played live on piano by the talented Sky Seals.
The production benefited greatly from Sands Hall’s effective and imaginative direction (he often moved his actors as if they were dancing a waltz across the stage) and from the fluid, fluid ensemble acting. The seven performers were well cast and contributed wonderfully to the dialogue and action, sometimes sweet, sometimes sad and often funny. The very natural interaction between the actors and the audience created the believable effect that you were actually in a live radio audience, watching those on stage broadcasting to the world.
With the exception of John Ficarra, who plays a very convincing George Bailey, the other six actors play at least two roles. Andie Schaffer (mainly as a warm and caring Mary Hatch Bailey), Paige Cartzdafner and Del Dozier (mainly the “Foley” artists who create the sound effects), and Judy Merrick (who humorously portrays dozens of people), juggle with their roles, usually using simple accessories such as a hat or shawl to represent various characters. The other two actors, Philip Jacques with his wonderful portrayal of the villainous Mr. Potter, and Bruce Barnard as the sweet, worried angel Clarence, excellently changed voices and postures to play a dizzying number of roles without confusing the audience.
Even if you’ve seen the movie several times, you’ll find a lot to enjoy in this adaptation of the radio show. Just like a comfort food, “It’s a Wonderful Life — The Live Radio Play” will warm your insides and hit the spot. And the holiday season is the perfect time for this kind, charming, and charming show. It will run at the Nevada Theater through December 24.
Hindi Greenberg has only seen the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” once, and that was enough. Too cloying for your taste. But I would watch LeGacy’s radio play again. It is much more creative and entertaining.
THAT: “It’s a wonderful life… A live radio play”
WHEN: Friday and Saturday from December 21 at 7:30 pm Sunday Matinees December 8, 15 and 22 at 2 pm, UNO Thursday Night Show, December 19 at 7 pm SPECIAL Closing Matinee Christmas Eve, 24 December at 2 pm
WHERE: Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad Street, Nevada City
TICKETS: $25 in advance, $30 at the door, with special reserved seating available for $35. GENERAL admission tickets available at The Book Seller in Grass Valley, Harmony Books in Nevada City and ALL tickets available online at www.legacypresents.com or by calling (530) 268 5419.
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