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by Michael Meigs
Frank Capra's film It's A Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart captured the yearning, optimism and nostalgia for small-town U.S.A. in 1946, a time when millions of American men were returning from the war. The film made an unpromising start and was considered something of a failure in its first release, but yearly television showings of this black-and-white tale of redemption and grace set it deeply into our collective consciousness.
Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed as his sweetheart, Lionel Barrymore as the wicked, grasping Old Man Potter -- in effect, reprising his role as Scrooge -- well, you've almost certainly seen the film, and if you haven't, then you should.
Stewart had debuted as a naive and gangling youngster in 1930's films but during the War he'd enlisted and eventually flown B-24 missions over Germany; and here he was, in his unassuming way, pretending to be an earnest small town savings-and-loan manager, 4-F because of a deaf ear.
Republic Pictures failed to renew the copyright on the film in the 1970's and had to struggle to re-establish control over the piece. It's not clear to me whether Joe Landry had to pay royalties when he put together this piece in 1996. If not, that clerical error cost Capra's estate and others dear, for this simple staging of the story has become an adored staple of the holiday season.
Penfold Theatre did it last year at Friar Tuck's cafe in downtown Round Rock, and this year they've secured the charming but faux Rice's Crossing Country Store at the Old Settler's Association, a perfectly appropriate setting for this time trip. The Gaslight Baker Theatre also did it for the 2011 holidays, the Bastrop Opera House performed it in 2009 and Austin Playhouse did it in their Larry L. King Theatre in 2008. San Antonio's Classic Theatre performed the show four times last month, and KSTX Texas Public Radio in San Antonio will play a recording of the Classic Theatre version at 8 p.m. this coming Christmas eve.
I brought a friend from Arizona to Penfold's November 29 opening night, and upon his return he discovered that the show was also playing in Tucson.
Joe Landry's website lists 151 productions playing this year, ten of them -- including this one -- in Texas. He must be a very happy man.
Read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com
It's a Wonderful Life
a live radio show
by Joe Landry
directed by Nathan Jerkins
featuring Ryan Crowder, Jenni Finley, Chris Gibson, David R. Jarrott, Claire Ludwig
November 29 – December 23
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm. Sundays at 6:00pm.
Opening night party following the show on Thursday, November 29
$25 Opening night, $20 Regular, $18 Student/senior
Rice’s Crossing Store (3300 Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665) (click for map)
More information available at www.penfoldtheatre.org
Penfold Theatre Company presents It's a Wonderful Life: a live radio show at Rice’s Crossing Store in Round Rock from November 29 to December 23.
It's Christmas Eve 1946, and members of the KPNF radio station are coming together for a live radio performance of It’s a Wonderful Life. As the live studio audience, guests step back in time while five actors bring the entire story to life with dozens of characterizations and live foley sound effects. In this imaginative re-incarnation of a cherished holiday tradition, audiences of all ages will fall in love with George Bailey and his timeless tale of despair, redemption and hope all over again.
The show takes place at Rice’s Crossing Store, named for Texas war hero James O. Rice and one of the oldest structures in Williamson County. Fully restored and relocated to the historic village at the Old Settlers’ Association, the store is the perfect yesteryear backdrop for a story that spans the first half of the twentieth century.
Guests can enjoy holiday treats as they watch the show, which features mock radio commercials of local businesses and a nightly cameo role for a selected member of the audience. The show returns after a completely sold out run last holiday season, so guests are encouraged to make their reservations early.
ABOUT PENFOLD THEATRE COMPANY Penfold Theatre Company cultivates a love for live theatre in northern Travis and Williamson Counties by offering first-class theatre performances and education programs. 2012-13 is the company’s fifth anniversary season and features a variety of work, from old favorites to regional premieres: Moonlight and Magnolias (October 2012), It’s a Wonderful Life: a live radio show (December 2012), A Minister’s Wife (March 2013) and Shipwrecked! (June 2013).
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