It’s A Wonderful Life – The Show Must Go On!

It’s A Wonderful Life – The Show Must Go On!

While many theatre companies have shut their doors during the pandemic, the SimonFest Theatre Company believes that live-theatre is an essential part of a healthy community. So, follow all COVID19 guidelines, the theatre is moving forward with its Christmas show this year; – It’s a Wonderful Life!

“It’s a Wonderful Life is the perfect show to help us remember our humanity and our worth,” says Founder and Artistic Director Richard Bugg. “It’s easy to lose focus on those things when quarantined from one another. This story is one of my personal favorites, and Jimmy Stewart is my favorite actor. I’ll have to share the story with you sometime, of how I almost had a private luncheon with Mr. Stewart!” Just ask him after the show.

It’s a Wonderful Life is the story of idealistic George Bailey, who feels trapped one Christmas Eve, doubting his worth, and thinks of ending his life.  We share his journey of rescue, redemption, and purpose.  The script being used is by Joe Landry. It honors both the original short story by Philip Van Doren Stern entitled “The Greatest Gift,” and the screenplay of It’s a Wonderful Life by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Jo Swerling, and Frank Capra.  The stage presentation is set on Christmas Eve of 1947 in a radio studio, where James Stewart and Donna Reed have been invited to recreate their roles from the film released the previous year.  Four other actors take positions behind four microphones to create all the remaining characters from the fictional Bedford Falls.

But since it is staged as a radio show, why not just broadcast it and forego having a live audience? “Because watching these actors create the voices and sound effects is more than half the fun,” proclaims Bugg. “Have you ever wished you could have been in the audience for some of the old-time radio broadcasts, and seen Orson Welles, Jack Benny, Gracie Allen, George Burns, Lucille Ball, Hattie McDaniel, or Edger Bergen work their magic in front of the mic?”

“Storytelling is what makes us human,” Bugg continues. “We must continue to share our stories as gifts, not battering rams.  As a company, we have a healthy respect for the pandemic dangers, but we believe that we must not live by fear but by the desire—the need—the drive to remain a united society.  Storytelling may also be the greatest catalyst for the peace that we have.  When we share our stories honestly (with the goal of mutual understanding, not rabble-rousing), then we share a cathartic journey with our audience.  That catharsis causes empathy; empathy leads to peace.  And there is nothing as powerful as sharing that experience in a darkened theater.”

It’s a Wonderful Life plays December 18th, 19th, and 21st at 7 PM at the Heritage Center Theater at 105 N 100 E in Cedar City.  Tickets are available online at www.simonfest.org or by phone at 435-267-0194.  The ticketing system automatically distances audience groupings.  We are asking audience members to wear masks. Ticket prices are $20 for adults; $15 for veterans; $12 for youth 6-17

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