The audience rang little bells when Clarence got his wings at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday (December 13) during the opening night of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, presented by New Stages Peterborough.
It was one of the many audience interactions throughout the play, which saw the Market Hall stage transformed into a radio station in Bedford Falls on Christmas Eve in 1946, set to air a radio version of the classic Christmas film to millions of people before a live “studio” audience.
The opening night “studio” audience included a who’s who of the regional theatre community, including Kim Blackwell of 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook, Sarah Quick and James Barrett of Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon, and Rob Kempson and Emily Martin of Capitol Theatre in Port Hope.
Following an introduction and sponsor acknowledgement by the play’s director, New Stages artistic director Mark Wallace (singing was involved), five real-life actors took to the set to portray the five fictional actors performing the radio play — Kerry Griffin as Freddie Filmore (also the radio station’s announcer), M. John Kennedy as Jake Laurents, Brad Brackenridge as Harry Jazzbo Heywood, Ordena Stephens-Thompson as Sally Applewhite, and Megan Murphy as Lana Sherwood.
The radio station set, designed by Sean Harris (owner of The Little Building Company in Lakefield) with set consultant Patricia Levert Thorne on lighting design, includes “On Air” and “Applause” signs, with the latter used effectively to prompt the “studio” audience during the radio play, lending to the feeling of actually being in a studio audience.
The set also features a piano, played with nuance throughout the show by the production’s real-life musical director Gabriel Vaillant, with real-life stage manager Esther Vincent also appearing as the radio station’s director doing the on-air countdowns.
Each of the five actors perform one or more of the characters in the original film, including the main roles of George Bailey (M. John Kennedy), Mary Hatch/Bailey (Ordena Stephens-Thompson), Henry F. Potter and Uncle Billy (Kerry Griffin), guardian angel Clarence Odbody and George’s brother Harry (Brad Brackenridge), and Mary’s romantic rival Voilet (Megan Murphy). The actors wear costumes designed by Korin Cormier.
While actors are at the microphones, their colleagues creatively contribute live sound effects — crickets, crunching snow, a train, a car horn, and more — using all manner of objects on the set. You may even be tempted to close your eyes to imagine hearing the performance over the radio, but only momentarily as you won’t want to miss the sometimes moving and sometimes funny physical interactions between the actors.
During the two-hour show, which includes an intermission after George Bailey’s backstory is revealed, the actors also perform hilarious “live on-air” commercials for the radio station’s fictional sponsors.
All five actors have their time in the spotlight during the show, with each bringing their unique takes to the many characters, including Kerry Griffin’s performance when he switches between the roles of both Uncle Billy and Henry F. Potter in a single scene.
It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play will especially resonate with audience members familiar with the original film, and you may find yourself tearing up during the final scene when a transformed George Bailey is reunited with his family and friends, saved from financial ruin, and discovers that he is indeed the richest man in Bedford Falls.
Produced by Laurie Westaway, the play also includes Andy Malcolm as foley and sound effects consultant, Alan Stanley on sound design, and Dayle Finlay on festive decor design. It should be noted that photos and videos are strictly prohibited during the performance (as Kerry Griffin notes, smart phones weren’t around in 1946).
Recommended for audience members over eight years of age, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play continues until Sunday, December 17th, with 7 p.m. evening performances nightly until Saturday and 2 p.m. matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday.
General admission tickets are $40 ($20 for students, arts workers, and those who are underemployed) and are available in person at the Market Hall box office (140 Charlotte St, Peterborough), by phone at 705-775-1503, or online at markethall.org. A 25 per cent discount is available for group sales of 10 or more tickets.
For more information about New Stages’ 2023-24 season, visit www.newstages.ca.
kawarthaNOW is proud to be media sponsor of New Stages Theatre Company’s 2023-24 season.
The original version of this story has been updated with photos by Dahlia Katz from a dress rehearsal.
