By Jennifer Mustoe
If you love the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, the Frank Capra iconic Christmas show, you’ll love the Covey’s newest production It’s a Wonderful Life as a radio show. The Brinton Black Box Theater (on the second floor of the Covey Center for the Arts building) is the perfect space to present this fun-filled, quick-paced familiar story.
Set design by Daniel Barton, Boh Loveland, Jessica Moody, Tony Wright, and Katrina Young greets us as we enter the theater. It is cheery in holiday colors, warm and inviting, and made me feel merry as I sat down. The table filled with radio props is especially fun with the vintage-looking shoes they use to make walking sounds. Prop design by Elise Lacanienta, Robert Seely (also Technical Director and Sound Design) gives this set some real punch. I couldn’t wait to see how one of my favorite movies was going to be performed right in front of me.
The cast of the play is tight and works as a cohesive team. Ryan Ward (Jake Laurents) plays the Jimmy Stewart character George Bailey. Ward shows such finesse in his role. It’d be easy to just mimic Stewart’s performance in the movie, but Ward has given this role so much of himself. He says the words we’ve heard in the film but he is his own George Bailey and a very delightful character. He has wonder, strength, compassion, and humor. We root for George Bailey and we root for Ryan Ward.
Cast of, ‘It’s A Wonderful Life.’ Photograph by Robert Seely
Ben Hyde does the heavy lifting in this production of It’s a Wonderful Life. He is Freddie Fillmore, the MC for the radio show. But Hyde pops in and out of many characters, including cantankerous Mr. Potter, the scatter-brained Uncle Billy, and several others. Sometimes those characters have a conversation with one another back and forth and Hyde nails it. His voice, his mannerisms, and his facial expressions all ring true. At one point in the performance, the crowd was booing at Mr. Potter and as Hyde walked back to his seat, he broke the fourth wall, turned around, and sneered at the audience. It was really effective and lots of fun.
Orion Howard (Harry Heywood) plays Clarence Odbody, an AS2 (Angel Second Class) with a wide-eyed innocence that is charming, Mr. Martini (using a great accent) with flair, as well as other roles. Howard is a bright star in this production and looks like he’s enjoying every minute he’s onstage.
Amber Ethington (Lana Sherwood) does a great gum-smacking, tough and sexy Violet, a darling Zuzu, and other roles as well. Ethington has grace onstage, a beautiful singing voice, and can jump into each role effortlessly. A joy to watch.
Heather Schraedel (Sally Applewhite) glows as Mary Hatch Bailey. I admit, her scenes with Ward made me tear up a bit a few times. Schraedel fits comfortably into her role, with sweetness and fragility that works beautifully onstage.
In all the years I’ve written reviews, I’ve never added the audience as part of a show. But I have to say, tonight’s audience is everything a cast of actors would love. They clapped even when the radio sign didn’t say we were supposed to. They booed. They sang. They laughed. As an actress, I know how important a good audience is and the whole synergy in that black box theater literally thrummed with energy. The actors brought it and the audience jumped in. It was a thrilling experience.
Because It’s a Wonderful Life is a radio show, sound, and lighting are key pieces and they are done with perfection in this production. Spencer Powell on lights and Seely on sound pull this show together very nicely, not a tweak is needed. Costumes and Hair/Makeup by Elizabeth Crandall are spot on. Everyone looked true to the period, clean, pert, and vibrant.
My friend who accompanied me to It’s a Wonderful Life hadn’t seen the movie in a long time, and wanted to watch it again–she was so delighted with this production. I’ve watched the Capra favorite many times but caught bits and pieces in this show I’d never seen before. Director Andrew Jefferies gives his actors lovely stage business but limits them as they move around the stage so we don’t get distracted. It all feels very organic and realistic, and that’s saying something since it’s about a fictional radio show based on a fictional movie.
While I don’t think it’s essential that you be familiar with the movie to enjoy this play, I do think those who’ll get the most out of it, the fun, the sweetness, and the lovely holiday feeling will be those who’ve seen the movie at least once. However, if you haven’t seen the movie, go see It’s a Wonderful Life at the Covey. It’s fun, it’s sweet, and its old-time radio show feel will make anyone want to sing “Auld Lang Syne” as the show closes.
The Covey Center for the Arts presents It’s a Wonderful Life, written by Joe Landry.
The Covey Center for the Arts, 425 W Center St, Provo, UT 84601
December 8-23, 2022, M,/Th/F/S 7:30 PM
Tickets: $14–16
Contact: 801-852-7007
Covey Center Website
Covey Center Facebook Page
0 Comments