BCP presents radio rendition of Christmas classic
The mics are on and the actors are ready at the radio station for a special performance. The studio audience (which is also the audience in real time) sit in full attention as the show kicks off.
Beaumont Community Players presents “It’s A Wonderful Life: A 1940’s Radio Play,” which continues through Dec. 11. Directed by Andy Coughlan, this show uses the same story as the original film, now known as a Christmas classic, and turns it on its head.
Instead of retelling the story with visuals, it’s all through a radio station in New York City. It’s a play about a radio play, which is quite meta. The “real” actors play actors at the radio station who use different voices to play different characters.
Even though we can’t see the story happening in front of our eyes, the audience pictures everything in their heads, which is only enhanced with the wonderful range of the actors.
While the show is mainly auditory based, there are also some visual gags for the in-person audience as well with an “applause” sign, sponsored commercial posters, and moments where the actors break off from the mics and do their own thing. While the main point of the story is to listen, there’s lots to see, too.
The five actors, James “JJ” Jackson, Alexandria Lewis, Trini Gonzalez, Brandon Greer and Katrina Morris voice 25 different characters between them. The live sound effects are supplied by Lamar University freshman Shelby Eason, who also plays the stage manager
“It’s A Wonderful Life: 1940’s Radio Play” takes a story we know and creates a different way to view it that only makes us want to watch the movie again.
Lamar’s KVLU radio station which broadcast the Dec. 9 show live beginning at 7:30 p.m. at kvlu.org.
There are two evening showtimes on Dec. 1 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. with matinees on Dec. 3, 4, and 11 at 2 p.m.
BCP is located at 4155 Laurel Ave in Beaumont. For more information, visit beaumontstages.com.
