By: Michelle Kinsey—
MUNCIE – Indiana Public Radio will present the classic holiday tale, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” as an authentic live radio drama on Friday, Dec. 16, at Sursa Performance Hall.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” tells the story of George Bailey, a man who has given up his dreams in order to help others, and whose imminent suicide on Christmas Eve brings about the intervention of his guardian angel, Clarence. Clarence shows George all the lives he has touched and how different life in his community of Bedford Falls would be had he never been born.
The Radio Drama is directed by Matthew Reeder, assistant professor of directing and Shakespeare at Ball State, and features a cast of community members and a live orchestra, led by Johnna Tavianini, assistant professor of musical theater at Ball State. Professional foley artist and BSU professor Vanessa Ament will be on stage providing all of the sound effects, including bell ringing, which as we all know signals an angel getting his or her wings.
Attendees should arrive and be seated by 7:30 p.m. for the 8 p.m. live performance, and will be treated to a pre-program, which will include a sound presentation by Vanessa Ament.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” will be simulcast on Indiana Public Radio’s five stations; online at indianapublicradio.org and on the IPR Smartphone App.
The Radio Drama is made possible with support from LifeStream Services and Ball State Federal Credit Union, as well as IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital and Yorktown Public Library. Additional support from Carpets Plus Colortile and Nicholson Family Dental.
Tickets are $10 ($5 for students K-12, available at Sursa Box Office, 285-1539.
Cast List
George – Paul Tavianini
Mary – Bryce Saxon
Sam, Cousin Tilly, Bert The Cop – Angelus Kocoshis
Narrator – Stan Sollars
Clarence – Nick Fatout
Joseph – Larry Beck
Pop, Mr. Potter – Sean Heline
Pete – Duncan Kinsey-Sherrill
Mrs. Hatch, Mrs. Bailey – Michelle Kinsey
Janie – Alexandria M. Romano
Gower, Old Crotchety man, Bridgekeeper, Angry Man – Gary C. Kern
Young George, Nick the Bartender, Horace The Teller – Matthew Rhinehart
Harry, Tom, Martini – Dan Murakowski
Uncle Billy, Welch, Ernie The Cabbie – Anthony J. Romano
Dr. Campbell, Randall, Pinky The Bouncer – Kyle Gregory Reninger
Zuzu – Charlotte Reeder
Matthew Reeder – Director
Johnna Tavianini – Music Director
Vanessa Theme Ament – Foley
Zoe Taylor – Assistant Director
Taylor Poer – Stage Manager
Sean Ashcraft – Broadcast Sound Engineer
Carter Rice – House Sound Engineer
