"It's a Wonderful Life" at Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart’s rendition of It’s a Wonderful Life will premiere November 21 and 22 at 7 pm. Courtesy of google.com
This holiday season will begin with the Convent of the Sacred Heart production of the time-honored comedy-drama It’s a Wonderful Life. Upper School students will portray Director Frank Capra’s 1946 film November 21 and 22 at 7 pm in the Lennie and John de Csepel auditorium.
Courtesy of google.com
The play follows the life of George Bailey, a troubled young man contemplating suicide. Bailey’s friends and family pray for his well being. Their prayers are answered when a guardian angel visits George and shows him what life would be like if he never existed. George’s experience results in his realization that he has positively shaped many lives in his community.
This play is unlike most others performed at Sacred Heart because it is a dramatized vocal production broadcast on the radio. The actresses will have to clearly portray their characters through their voices, and have been working hard to perfect them.
“The girls need to focus on their cadence, pitch and add different qualities and characteristics to their voices” Director of Upper School Theatrical Productions Ms. Nancy Maloy said.
In this radio play, the actresses do not have to memorize their lines but will instead read their lines with different voices that correspond to their characters to help the audience visualize the story.
“Because of the nature of this play, the rehearsals have not been as demanding or as intense as they were last year for The Diary of Anne Frank. There has been more time for bonding among cast mates, which is my favorite part about acting in Sacred Heart productions,” senior Zsazsa Morel said.
In true radio play fashion, the girls will create all of the sound effects themselves.
“We will have someone crush corn flakes to create the sound of crunching snow, as well as have bells ringing and doors closing,” Ms. Maloy said.
The ultimate goal of the play is to engage the audience by breaking the fourth wall. In the theatrical world, the fourth wall is an imaginary wall separating the stage from the audience. A radio play abandons this idea and interacts with the audience. The actresses will be carrying signs that say laugh or applaud to help the audience become part of the production.
“I’m definitely looking forward to everyone seeing it; the format is so unique and I don’t think anyone’s seen anything like it. Opening night will be a great time and I can’t wait!” junior Emma Wilfert said.
-Nadia Zuaiter, Staff Writer
