In a year that has seen Broadway go dark and most live community theatrical productions shuttered, Starkville Community Theatre is rising from the pandemic to deliver some holiday entertainment — 2020 style. “It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play” will stream online during the week of Christmas, from 12:15 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22 through Sunday, Dec. 27 at 11:45 p.m. The play by Philip Grecian is based on the classic Christmas film by Frank Capra.
“For only $5, you can support SCT and the fabulous performers in this show by watching the show from the comfort of your living room,” said SCT Chief Administrative Officer Gabe Smith. Access may be pre-purchased to the stream at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/44118.
“Your rental of the stream gives you access on-demand for up to 48 hours of time, meaning, if you want to, you can watch Act 1, take a personal intermission, and settle back in for Act 2 at your leisure, either first thing in the morning with a cup of hot coffee or late in the evening with a mug of nightcap eggnog.”
Smith directed the show, calling it a unique experience. The retelling of the story of George Bailey, the unsung, big-hearted hero of small-town Bedford Falls and his lovable, bumbling guardian angel, involved more than 60 speaking roles, performed by 16 actors, recorded on multiple days in multiple locations. With safety in mind, the entire process, from auditions to final production stream, took place online.
“It’s been both challenging and rewarding to put together a show like this in a new format, for volunteers accustomed to performing live onstage,” the director remarked.
The ensemble cast includes Miles Baker, Nick Bell, MJ Etua, Madeline Golden, Katherine Hardin, Shepherd Hardin, Brian Hawkins, Rick Jordan, Trisha Jordan, Bradley Long, Hayden Manning, Jordan Prather, Alice Raffel, Annie Redwood, Derrell Staten and Ross Williams.
“It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play” is produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Co. of Woodstock, Illinois. Like all programming in this unusual 2020-2021 year for SCT, this show was funded in part by a grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. This SCT production is sponsored by Barbara Coats of Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial
“We’ll see you soon in Bedford Falls,” said Smith. “It’s your holiday, and we’re so grateful to be part of it.”
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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