Frank Capra's post-World War II film It's a Wonderful Life opened to mixed reviews in 1946, but became one of the most inspirational and beloved stories of all time when the copyright expired in the mid-1970s and entered the public domain.
Townsite Actors Guild members are preparing a live stage reading of the play, with lights, live sound and props, that will be performed over two nights, Sunday, December 15, and Monday, December 16, at the Forest Bistro and Lounge. The guild's live stage reading of A Christmas Carol last year was a sold-out hit for audiences, who came away from the performance moved by the simple yet effective storytelling by the cast and crew.
"We have 14 amazing actors and we're going to try some live sound effects this time," said producer Stephen Miller. "It will be a lot of fun for the audience; it's really a beautiful, classic story and, I think, relevant to today's times."
The story of It's a Wonderful Life is about a man who has given up his personal dreams in order to help others in his community and whose thoughts of suicide on Christmas Eve bring about the intervention of his guardian angel.
Stephanie Miller is once again in the director's seat for the actors guild production.
"One of the reasons why I feel it is a beautiful story is because it treasures life," said Stephanie.
The protagonist, George Bailey, faces financial disaster and arrest and heads to a bridge to kill himself. At this point his guardian angel, Clarence Oddbody, shows up and shows Bailey what life would be like for his loved ones and neighbours had he never lived.
"It [the story] seems to point out that although an individual may not be aware of how much they affect others, the community actually really reaps the benefits of every single individual who lives within it," said Stephanie.
Although the holiday season is about giving to others, and spending time with family and friends over a feast, for many, the winter season can be lonely.
"This story seems to highlight that [everyone matters in a community] over and over again, especially during the holidays, some people, for whatever reason, might feel lonely or detached," added Stephanie. "The beauty of this particular story is that everybody's life is valued, everybody contributes to the community, to their families, and it really is a wonderful life, if you open yourself up to it; it's not a perfect life, but it's definitely a wonderful one."
Stephen emphasized that even though the script is close to 80 years old, the message is still relevant to modern times.
"These times now are unprecedented times for a generation and definitely very turbulent," said Stephen. "Whether you live in a town, or whether you live in a big city, or whether you live in the countryside, there is turbulence happening, both on an economic scale as well as a political scale."
When It's a Wonderful Life was released into movie theatres in 1946, the world was recovering from the nightmare of two world wars, the deepest economic downturn in global history and social instability.
"What's important for everyone to come to terms with is that no matter how turbulent times are, there's always hope, and there's always ways to look at the glass as being half-full, rather than the glass being half-empty," said Stephen.
Stephen and Stephanie said the audience should expect something similar to last year's production; minimal set-deck, costumes and props, but maximal art of old-fashioned storytelling.
"When people read plays done successfully, usually it seems like the script actually disappears," said Stephanie. "The audience plays a very important part in a play-reading because everybody will interpret, or see, or hear the play differently, based on their own experiences."
Stephanie said it will be a beautiful opportunity for families and friends to sit together and just listen to a wonderful story in a communal setting.
"So the audience is actually participating in the storytelling as they do in all forms of theatre and film, using their imaginations," said Stephanie. "We will create the set through sound, through other senses and lighting."
Forest Bistro and Lounge is offering a dessert bar this time around to make things simple, as opposed to a full dinner menu.
"They will be opening at six o'clock and the play will start at seven o'clock," said Stephen.
Tickets are available at Rocky Mountain Pizza and Bakery, located at 4471 Marine Avenue.
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