Undercroft Players enters 5th season with ‘Wonderful Life’
IF YOU GO
The Undercroft Players enters its fifth season with Philip Grecian’s radio play adaptation of Frank Capra’s beloved holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” beginning Thursday, Nov. 16, downtown at First Lutheran Church.
Set in Bedford Falls, N.Y., circa 1945, the familiar tale concerns troubled George Bailey, who, with help from his guardian angel Clarence, ultimately realizes the value of life when all seems bleak.
“Everybody loves this story, but the more we’ve worked on it the more it dawned on me how similar it is to ‘A Christmas Carol,’” said director/founder Teresa Connair. “For example, the Mr. Potter character is very much like Scrooge. Clarence provides spiritual intervention much like the three ghosts. George Bailey is reminiscent of Bob Cratchit as well. Some of the lines are even similar to ‘A Christmas Carol.’
“But above all, the story itself reminds us that each person in our lives is important and how different our lives would be if we didn’t make a contribution. I think this is important to remember as this point in time. We need to keep up the good fight in order to keep the bad at bay.”
Connair particularly recognizes the challenges inherent to the production, one of the largest the troupe has produced. The play contains 63 speaking roles (every actor in the play, with the exception of Shawn Kalis as George Bailey, will play multiple roles) and capturing the technical magic associated with the live Foley sound effects, especially the timing, is not an easy task.
“The challenging part of staging a radio show is the What: “It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play” Where: Basement of First Lutheran Church, 138 W. First St., Dayton
When: Nov. 16-19; 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 3 p.m. Next Sunday
Cost: $10 for adults; $5 for youth (17 and younger); Cash only at the door. More info: Visit https:// undercroftplayers.weebly. com or send an e-mail to theundercroftplayers@ outlook.com.
FYI: Commercials for local businesses will be featured live Foley sound effects,” she said. “This show has a lot of sound effects that, if one is to stay true to the 1940s era, has caused us sleepless nights working through what appropriate objects will make the right sounds for the effect since no suggestions are listed in the script. This is our third radio show at Undercroft, but the sound effects needed are different than the other shows. There are a lot of bells in this show, as one might imagine. Door bells, phone bells, cash register bells, angel bells, but all must have a different ring to them. Those are the easy things to figure out. The Model T car engine, the splashing water and the train pulling into the station are a lot more difficult. But we’re definitely having fun working through all the possibilities.”
In addition to the aforementioned Kalis, the cast includes Allison Clark, Rachael Clark, Abigail Kalis Jonathan Kalis, Abby Lachman, Jennifer Lockwood, Terry Morris, Dave Nickel, Patrick Santucci, Sarah Saunders, Cate Shannon, Mandy Shannon, Sophia Shannon, in the production. Anyone interested in purchasing an ad for the program will receive a commercial performed by the cast in the show. If interested, visit the donation/sponsor tab on the troupe’s website at https:// undercroftplayers.weebly. com.; Also, Undercroft’s season continues with a youth production of Oscar Wilde’s “The Selfish Giant” in April 2018 and concludes with Sandra Fenichel Asher’s “Little Old Ladies in Tennis Shoes”in August 2018. Director/founder
Jim Sipos, Melissa Sokol, J. Gary Thompson, and Cassandra Wigginton-Hayes.
“I’m one of the millions who watch the movie every year so this show certainly resonates with me,” said Nickel, who portrays Henry F. Potter among others. “I (enjoy) the idea that we’ve all touched many more lives than we might realize (as well as) the reminder of the value of friends and the message that there are things more valuable than money. Plus, there’s the reaffirmation of the magic of the Christmas season.”
“If you love the movie, you’re sure to enjoy this presentation,” Connair reminded. By Russell Florence Jr. Contributing writer
Mitch Albom and Jeffrey Hatcher’s stage adaptation of Albom’s 1997 best-seller “Tuesdays with Morrie” will be presented by Young at Heart Players beginning Friday, Nov. 17, at the Dayton Playhouse.
Humorous and sentimental, “Morrie” concerns Albom’s engaging reflections of the treasured time reunited with his 78-yearold former sociology professor, Morrie Schwartz. Over the course of 14 Tuesdays, Albom, a sports columnist with the Detroit Free Press, traveled from Michigan to Massachusetts to visit Schwartz, whom he hadn’t seen in 16 years. As Schwartz battles amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Albom pinpoints the sheer importance of living life to the fullest.
“This show is characterdriven, which I love,” said Fran Pesch, co-director and founder of the Young at Heart Players.
“It’s a real show about real people. I actually see this as a love story between a former student and his teacher. And in Morrie’s case, he’s accepted what’s going to happen to him. All his demons are gone. He simply wants to get Mitch to appreciate life and live life. Morrie’s passing is sad, but that’s not what the show is about. Mitch’s growth and Morrie’s influence in his life is what matters.”
“Mitch is a character that sort of rushes through life and doesn’t take time to enjoy things,” added codirector Annie Pesch. “Morrie opens his eyes.”
The two-hander stars Patrick Hayes as Mitch and Jamie McQuinn as Morrie. Both have appeared in productions with the Dayton Theatre Guild.
In particular, Hayes, founder of Bespoke Theatre, finds the material compelling on a personal level. In 2008, his aunt was diagnosed with ALS. She lost her battle but her legacy lives on.
“I watched this person who was full of love and life have her body stolen from her,” Hayes said.
“It was terrible to see but her outlook was much like Morrie. She was a caring person and that care continued through her illness. Artistically, this show is a real challenge for me. It’s the most vulnerable character I’ve had to play. It’s something I can connect with emotionally and personally.”
Fran Pesch recognizes the production occurring during the 20th anniversary of the book’s publishing, particularly hoping the show attracts a wider audience in turn.
“We’re hoping to get teachers and high school students to see the show,” she said. “The book is still on some high school reading lists.”
“A line that sticks out to me is when Morrie says ‘I wish I had been more aware of death every day of my life,’” Hayes added.
“It’s not to say we should live in fear of death but awareness that all of this is temporary and therefore precious. We only have a finite amount of time to spend together so let’s make the best of it. Let’s appreciate our good relationships and say goodbye to our bad relationships. Life is precious. Time is precious. Love those who love and forget about the rest.”
‘If you love the movie, you’re sure to enjoy this presentation.’