News

“Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.”

The Martin Methodist College Dramatic Arts Department will present a new twist on the heartwarming classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life” on Nov. 29-Dec. 1 with its performance of “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.”

Performances are at 7 p.m. in the Martin Hall Auditorium. Admission is free to anyone with a MMC ID and $5 each for the general public. The house opens promptly at 6:30 p.m.

“It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” is a stage play adaptation by Joe Landry of Frank Capra's film classic. The story follows the life of George Bailey as he sees his childhood dreams slip away into a ho-hum routine, until one catastrophic Christmas Eve leaves him considering taking his life. Only the intervention of Clarence the Angel shows him the value of his life, and how big an impact one man can make on the world.

The adaptation of the story into a 1940s radio play opens the doors to an artistic masterpiece.  

“This show will be interesting on every level,” says director Greg Wilson, visiting artist at Martin Methodist College. “Even if someone came and just listened to the show, they would be completely entertained. Don’t miss it!” 

Only five actors portray the dozens of characters from the original film, from the cantankerous Old Man Potter, set on taking over the town, to Bert the Cop, Ernie the Cab Driver, and even the Bailey’s four children. In addition to the challenges of continually switching from one character to another, the actors use a wide variety of props to provide live sound effects, bringing a visual as well as an audible spark to the performance.

“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” opened in Stamford, Conn., in December of 1996, and has been performed hundreds of times across the country. The original screenplay by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra, and Jo Swerling has been masterfully adapted by Landry, founder Second Guess Theatre Company in Connecticut and a member of the Dramatists Guild of America. The adaptation features a musical score composed by Kevin Connors, an off-Broadway composer and director and co-founder of Music Theatre of Connecticut.

The cast of “It’s a Wonderful Life” consists of Margaret Horne, Jaye Phelps, Wesley Sanders, Kelby Starchman, and Laura Watson, with piano accompaniment by Dakota Bone.  ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is presented by special arrangement with Playwrights, Inc.