Kirk Players to present radio play
Telling the warmhearted and charming story of George Bailey and his fateful wish that he had never been born, "It's a Wonderful Life - The Radio Play" will be presented by Kirk Players at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at Mundelein High School Theatre.
Additional performances are at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, at Mundelein High School, 1350 W. Hawley St., Mundelein.
Written by Philip Grecian, based on the film by Frank Capra, this version invites the audience to imagine the story as it is broadcast live from a 1940s radio station. All the features of a vintage radio station from the golden era of broadcast will be on display and in use throughout the production.
"We are enjoying bringing to life the nostalgia of this story through sound," said Patrick Blake, veteran Kirk Player and director of the show. "The audience will get a huge kick out of seeing a genuine wind machine create the blustery winter conditions on that bridge in Bedford Falls the night George Bailey almost took his life.
"It's fun because, along with a very talented cast with several ensemble members playing multiple characters, the technical elements of the show are right there, front and center, helping to tell this holiday classic story," Blake said.
"The technical genius of the company is really evident in this undertaking. I can't say enough about the work put into delivering good, old-fashioned, genuine radio."
Supporting Blake with the major technical elements of the show are technical director Gary Gunther, sound design/head foley James Torbeck, costumer Susie Hill, props mistress Beverly Johnson and set designer Sara Gunther. Amy Sharer is stage manager, assisted by Lisa Willems, and Brenda Sparks serves as house manager.
Leaving no nostalgia stone unturned, the troupe, led by composer Fred Vipond on keyboard and jingle lyricist Gretchen Grassl, has created original local merchant commercials and will broadcast them throughout the performance along with the live musical talents of The Mundelaires.
With a cast of 28, ranging in age from 7 to 80 years old, the show features the talents of Jon L. Lynn as George Bailey, Marilee C.C. Wald as Mary Hatch-Bailey, Randy Rice as Clarence Oddbody A.S.C., Meghan Lane as The Boss, Amanda Villarreal as Dina, Nick Ahlstrand as Young George Bailey, Mike Lieberman as Mr. Potter, Jon Matousek as Uncle Billy, Bev Karns as Tilly, Bobbie LaBelle as Mrs. Bailey, and McKenna Wald as Zuzu Bailey.
For more information and tickets, visit www.kirkplayers.org or call (847) 521-6192.
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