It's A Wonderful Life, a Live Radio Play
by Fredericksburg Theater Company (FTC)
Oct. 08 - Oct. 09 (2016)
"It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" is a stage play adaptation of Frank Capra's film classic. At the time of the film's initial release, it was popular for films to be adapted and performed live on the radio in front of a studio audience. This adaptation is set at a live radio broadcast in the late 1940s, with five actors playing all of the characters. Live sound effects and period commercials will be used to enhance the production and follow traditions of the period. This play challenges 5 actors and 2 sound effect artists to perform this beautiful story. In addition, three "Jingle singers" will enhance our play with providing the Commercial Jingles in the show as well as pre-show Christmas music.
Scene Time: Christmas Eve, 1946
Place: The stage and auditorium of Studio A at WBFR in Manhattan, New York.
Auditions for FTC’s production, "It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play", are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, October 8th and 9th at 2 pm at the Steve W. Shepherd Theater. The theater is located at 1668 South U.S Highway 87 in Fredericksburg.
All roles are available for auditions.
Scripts and cold reading material for may be checked out at the FTC office at same location starting Tuesday, September 13th. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Rehearsals will begin on October 17. Attendance during technical rehearsals, December 5-8, is mandatory, as well as attendance for all performances. Performance dates are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays: December 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18.
Character Breakdown The following five actors play all the characters in the play.
ACTORS: 25 years of age and older.
JAKE LAURENTS: plays George Bailey / Young George (*see note - below)
FREDDIE FILMORE: plays Announcer, Joseph, Mr. Gower, Uncle Billy Bailey, Ernie, Pete Bailey (Child) Peter Bailey, Mr. Bailey, Old Man Collins, Ed, Man, Nick, Bridge Keeper, Binky, Schultz, Mr. Welch
HARRY "JAZZBO" HEYWOOD: plays Harry Bailey / Young Harry, Bert The Cop, Clarence Oddbody, Mr. Potter, Sam Wainwright, Lawyer, Sheriff, Dr. Campbell, Randall, Tom, Man 2, Martini, Charlie, Carter, Horace the Bank Teller, Tommy Bailey (Child)
SALLY APPLEWHITE: plays Mary Hatch Bailey / Young Mary (*see note - below)
LANA SHERWOOD: plays Violet Bick / Young Violet, Matilda, Ruth Dakin Bailey, Rose Bailey, Mrs. Hatch, Passerby at Run on Bank, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Davis, Schultz, Janie Bailey (Child), Zuzu Bailey (Child)
JINGLE SINGERS: Radio commercial jingle singers and pre-show Christmas performance.
*Note: The roles of Jake and Sally play the iconic roles of George and Mary. Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed brought these roles to life in the original movie using their own voices. There are actors who are capable of performing Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed “vocal impressions”. However, since the rest of the characters will not be vocal impressions of the original performance, the actors who are auditioning for Jake and Sally should not strive for the impressions of Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. The acting challenges for these two roles will be to embrace the spirits and characters of George Bailey and Mary Hatch in a new and refreshing style.
