ETC to present 'It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play'
The 2023-24 season of the Elgin Theatre Company continues with "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play."
Every year for the last eight years, Elgin Theatre Company has taken it upon themselves to provide a program that will kick off the holiday season.
Various scripts have been used, mostly period Thanksgiving and Christmas radio shows with characters like Jack Benny, Bing Crosby, Dennis Day and similar period actors performed by ETC in a radio show format with the audience situated in a radio station with all the performers in front of them.
This year, they are performing that great American classic, adapted from the original script by Joe Landry. It is directed by Rigina Belt-Daniels.
This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 10-19, at the Elgin Art Showcase on the eighth floor of the Elgin Professional Building, 164 Division St. in downtown Elgin.
Sunday performances will be sign-acted for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Tickets are $20 or $18 for seniors and students. Group rates for this production are available by calling (847) 741-0532. Get your tickets early to make sure you will have a seat.
The cast includes: Gordy Whiting as George Bailey; Audrey Gniech as Mary; Paul Lockwood as Clarence; Brian Rabinowitz as Potter; Pete-Sebastian Rus as Tommy; Teagan Nauman as Zuzu; John Mayhall as Stage Manager (recorded); Jim Pierce as Foley Artist; Dwight Brown as Joseph/Bridge Keeper, Horace, Cop; Jami Carter Johnson as Violet, Matilda, Sadie, Ruth; Devon Ortiz as Harry, Sam, Binky, Man; Shirley May Byrnes as Mrs. Hatch, Rose Bailey, Mrs. Thompson; William Athow as Freddie Filmore/announcer, Ernie, Old Man, Collins, Nick; and Rhys Read as Billy, Gower, Martini, Peter Bailey, Dr. Campbell, Schultz, Charlie, Bert, Horace, Sheriff, Mr. Welch.
The creative team is led by director Regina Belt-Daniels and producer Richard Grieger, with Pat Henderson (stage manager/lighting design); Barry Norton (set design); Dee Korby (costumes); Andrew Ross (ASL signer); Jon Kramp (tickets/PR); and Madeline Franklin (Facebook PR).
Bring the whole family and watch as the angel Clarence manages to save George Bailey from making the worst decision of his life.
For reservations or more information, call (847) 741-0532, email tickets@inil.com, or visit www.elgin-theatre.org to purchase tickets online.
Some parking is located on Division Street, as well as plentiful parking in the city parking lot on the corner of Division Street and Douglas Avenue and in the city parking deck located at the corner of Spring Street and Highland Avenue.
"It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" is presented by special arrangement with Playscripts Inc.
For more information, email producer Richard Grieger at dgremax@gmail.com.
Funded in part by a grant funded by the Illinois Arts Council Agency.