MOOSE JAW — Millions of people consider “It’s A Wonderful Life” as their favourite Christmas film, so the Moose Jaw Community Players hope residents will show similar enthusiasm for their upcoming holiday play.
The theatre troupe is performing “It’s A Wonderful Life” on Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mae Wilson Theatre. Tickets are $65 for residents who want dinner and the show, while tickets are $30 for people who want just the show.
Tickets can be purchased at the box office or at www.moosejawculture.ca.
“This play … (is) a Christmas classic, and it’s such a beautiful story that we wanted the opportunity to tell it,” said director Debbie Burgher. “It’s really a sweet, get-you-in-spirit-of-Christmas (show that’s) all about the right thing. (It’s) about family and community and giving — all the things you want in a Christmas story.”
The Community Players are presenting this show as a radio play, similar to how actors performed shows in the early days of that technological medium, which means audiences will be encouraged to participate when instructed.
Burgher noted that the sets have been constructed to look like a radio station. Moreover, there will be a live foley table present that will provide sound effects to, for example, imitate someone walking on the snow or in a restaurant.
“There’s all of these sounds that happen, but you get to watch them be made right there on the foley table, so it’s cool (because) it’s like another character in the show,” she said.
“So it’s an experience, and although it sounds like it’s a radio play, you’re not just sitting there listening to it — you’re watching it happen at the same time, so it’s very cool,” the director added.
Every year, the theatre troupe reviews scripts it could perform and develops a list of shows for the future, Burgher said. Members had the foresight to discuss the kind of Christmas show they wanted to perform that had a message that resonated with people.
“It’s A Wonderful Life” came to the surface during those discussions because it’s popular with many people and other groups have performed it before, she continued. So, the Community Players took a chance and pursued it during the past year.
Burgher’s favourite part of the play is when everything resolves in a positive ending. Specifically, when the bell rings on the Christmas tree, little Zuzu Bailey says, “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings,” while George Bailey says, “That’s right, that’s right,” before looking up and whispering, “Attaboy, Clarence.”
“He’s moved beyond himself and sees the effect that other people have on one another and community — beautiful, such a nice message,” she said.
Burgher commended the team for this year’s play, including the production crews who have constructed sets that look like old-style radio stations.
“It really is going to be an experience,” she said, adding that Christmas carollers will greet people when they walk into the theatre.
The Community Players are also preparing for three one-act plays in February and a mystery musical in June. The troupe will reveal which musical they are performing during the Christmas show.
Theatre fans should watch the group’s Facebook page for more information, while tickets can be purchased online.
