The 麻豆传媒映画 Theatre Department will take the stage for their production of 鈥淚t鈥檚 A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play鈥� directed by Max G. Merchen. Performances will be held in the Black Box Theatre on the third floor of Woodburn Hall Nov. 21 and 22 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 23 and 24 at 2 p.m.
鈥淚t鈥檚 A Wonderful Life鈥� is based on the story 鈥淭he Greatest Gift鈥� by Philip Van Doren Stern and is adapted by Joe Landry. This beloved American holiday classic comes to life as a live radio broadcast. The show is set in a New York City radio station and performed in the style of a 1940s radio program. Six performers will bring over 40 characters to life as the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds on Christmas Eve.
The show is directed by Merchen, a guest director at BHSU. He has directed and contributed to several community theatre shows in the 麻豆传媒映画. 鈥淚 am delighted to be working with this talented group of BHSU actors,鈥� said Merchen. 鈥淲hen I was presented with the opportunity to direct 鈥業t鈥檚 A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Show,鈥� I jumped at the chance. The story is a classic, and its message is timeless.鈥�
The performances will feature Mia Fernandez as Sally Applewhite, Dylan Greywater as Freddie Filmore/Announcer, Justin Hausman as Jake Laurents, Rehgan Larson as Stage Manager, Cyrus Lyons as Harry 鈥淛azzbo鈥� Heywood, and Halle Uphoff as Lanna Sherwood.
鈥淚 have worked with Max for many years. He directed me in my very first musical back in 2006,鈥� said Casey Hibbert, instructor of theatre at BHSU. 鈥淚 love the freedom of being able to give the students an opportunity to work with other directors. This gives them a sense of the difference between directors鈥� styles, plus they benefit because they see how other people work and approach a story. It sets them up for success in the future.鈥�
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and veterans, $10 for children, and $15 for non-BHSU students. BHSU students, faculty, and staff may attend for free. This is a family-friendly show, and all ages are welcome. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at .
鈥淓veryone should come to see this show because it is a classic story done in such a fun way. Our sound effects are done live and give you the sense of what it must have been like back in a 1940s radio studio. You don鈥檛 want to miss this holiday classic,鈥� added Hibbert.
For more information, contact Casey Hibbert at Casey.Hibbert@BHSU.edu.