Even though several members of the KHS Drama Club just finished a successful run of Frozen Jr., they are not done performing this semester. The group is busy rehearsing for their Christmas play “It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.”
This show is adapted from the classic 1946 film directed by Frank Capra, The story centers around George Bailey, a man who has dreams to help others in his small town of Bedford falls. His story worsens as he heads into a financial crisis and starts to feel like a failure to his community.
This production is a little different than the classic movie though, as the cast members play actors who are performing a radio version of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Each cast member plays their main character, who are all portraying multiple roles within the radio show.
“The fun thing about this show is that essentially each person plays an actor, who throughout the show voices multiple characters,” said sophomore Franklyn Hole, who plays Jake Laurents and voices George Bailey.
Playing an actor who is portraying multiple characters within a show can be a little tricky, but the student actors are working through the challenges.
“Well, it’s kind of weird. We all have our own personalities and everything, but we have to act as characters while already acting as our characters,” said Izaiah Jackson. “For example, I’m playing Harry Haywood, a comedian, but when I come to speak for Clarence the angel, I still have to be Harry Haywood acting as Clarence.”
Working on this show has helped the cast get into the holiday spirit a little early this year. The play captures themes of self-worth, community and the importance of kindness and generosity, making it a heartwarming and enduring holiday story that is known to this day. It represents real-life struggles that even the cast can relate to, while also mixing in some Christmas cheer.
“The story is about seeing value in each of our lives and that our lives, no matter how simple, have an impact on those with whom we interact,” said Randi Weeks, the show’s director. “The story shows what would happen to the central character, George Bailey, if he had never been born; it reminds him that no man is a failure who has friends and that even with all of the challenges, he really does have a wonderful life.”
The KHS Drama Club will present “It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 5 and 6 at 7pm in the KHS auditorium. Tickets are $7 and children 4 and under are free. Senior Madelyn Hole hopes the show helps the get community enjoy the holiday season.
“People should come to see our show because it has a very good message of hope. It relates to each person in the audience, regardless of their struggles in life. It is also a feel-good show that has captured the hearts of many people and become a tradition around the holidays.”
