From Reading Community Players
Pictured above: The Martinis purchase their first home in It’s a Wonderful Life. Pictured: Emily Hershey (Mary), Alexandria Yeager (Mrs. Martini), Jeremy Herchelroth (Mr. Martini), and Tim Weiss (George). Photo courtesy of Reading Community Players
Reading Community Players lights up the season with a dazzling, live retelling of the holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life, opening Friday, Dec. 5, and running through Sunday, Dec. 7, at the WCR Center for the Arts.
This spirited production reimagines Bedford Falls with bold theatricality and creative designs that invite every viewer to become citizens of the small town. Audiences will leave seeing their own lives through George Bailey’s wrenching choices and joyful discoveries.
Expect brisk storytelling that moves from warm nostalgia to gutting honesty and back to triumphant hope. Vivid costumes and interactive staging create an immersive holiday experience that’s both intimate and cinematic.
Under the inventive direction of Randy Miller, the show mines fresh emotional depth and laugh-out-loud comedy from familiar moments. George’s struggles feel immediate, the supporting ensemble bursts with lovable color, and the angelic presence is as surprising as it is tender.
Miller has greatly appreciated putting this heart-warming show together. “I enjoy bringing dramas to the stage, developing the storyline into a believable experience for the audience.” He also likes “to help actors of all experience levels to bring their characters to life, make them believable, and deliver the meaning of the story.”
Appearing as Mary, local actress Emily Hershey treasures the director’s guidance along with her own efforts. “I’m thinking about my character on and off as I go throughout my daily life. So when it finally clicks on stage, it’s magical. Being in the moment on stage and embodying who the person is alongside your cast mates, forgetting your real self entirely — there’s nothing like it.”
Actor Tim Weiss, who plays George Bailey, encourages audiences to get tickets. “So many people consider this one of their favorite movies.” He explained, “They can enjoy a familiar, uplifting story while seeing it done a bit differently. They will leave feeling warm and fuzzy.”
Miller will also relish the audience reaction. “All the despair and hard times we each experience in our lives tend to bring us down.” He continued, “It’s a Wonderful Life lets us all know that there is good, that we need to open our hearts, eyes, and ears to feel the meaning of the season.”
Jeremy Herchelroth, appearing as Mr. Martini, looks forward to sharing a holiday message with the audience. “By being a part of this show, it gives me an opportunity to step back in time to show what a small town is like at Christmas. Also, the hope and togetherness that this time of year often brings is so important.”
Herchelroth concluded, “Seeing this show will be a great reminder of the impact we have on other people’s lives.”
Contact the Reading Community Players box office at rcptheatre@gmail.com for more information. Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $15.00 for students and seniors and can be purchased online at readingcommplayers.com.
Come celebrate what matters most this season — community, courage, and the surprising ways a single life can light up the world.
Reading Community Players is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing quality theatre and arts education to communities. To learn more about the organization and its offerings, visit readingcommplayers.com. For questions, contact the RCP President at 610-507-3436 or RCPtheatre@gmail.com.
The post Reading Community Players Presents ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Live on Stage appeared first on BCTV.
Source: bctv
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