GECA to present ‘radio’ drama Friday night
Published 10:39 am Wednesday, December 8, 2010
A Friday night performance of the Greater Escambia Council of the Arts group will be one to bring back memories for many area residents who lived through the radio drama era.
“It’s A Wonderful Life” will be presented by a cast as a radio drama, reminiscent of the era in which the drama was written.
Although no tickets will be printed for the presentation, guests at the show will have an opportunity to witness the production at a reduced price compared to other productions.
Seating will be available at $5 per person for the performance. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the performance set to begin at 7 p.m.
The one-night-only production includes a cast of characters that will read their parts gathered around a series of microphones set up for the event. Each character will portray their part in costume for the special presentation.
A team of stage hands known as the Foley team, will provide sound effects offstage to add to the authenticity of the production. GECA’s production will be broadcast on radio stations throughout the area during the upcoming holiday season with audience attendance and participation vital to the outcome of the show.
The Foley team, made up of one or more people off stage, will create sound effects for the production.
With 63 voices in the cast some actors will be reading more than one part during the show. The cast includes, as leads, George Bailey – Jerry Janes; Mary Hatch / Bailey – Katelyn Chastang; Clarence – Tom McGinty; Joseph – Bob Jones; Uncle Billy / Billy – Tommy Sandefer; Young George – Caymond Hodges; Potter – Norm Boyd; Peter Bailey / Pop – Dusty Mason.
Principle characters include Ma Bailey / Mother / Mrs. Bailey – Sharon Poulsen; Annie – Charity Moore; Young Mary – Dana Hursh; Marty – Brandon Beachy; Sam Wainwright – Norm Boyd; Burt – Tom Jeter; Ernie – Timothy Huber; Gower – Dusty Mason; Zuzu – Anna Grace Janes; Pete – Gilda Stubben; Janie – Courtney Hursh; Tommy – Mary Beachy; Narrator – Sherrie Hursh; God – Jerry Gehman; Martini – Dusty Mason; Young Sam – Charity Moore; Young Harry – Mary Beachy; Harry – Timothy Huber; Young; Violet – Charity Moore; Eustace – Brandon Beachy; Tilley – Dana Hursh; Ruth – Mary Beachy; Nick – Tommy Sandefer.
Periodic characters include June – Mary Beachy ; Principal – Linda Mills; Othello – Dan Johnson; Mickey – Tony Benauer; Man 1 / Poster Man – Dan Johnson; Dr. Campbell – Bob Jones; Lawyer – Sharon Poulsen; Mrs. Hatch – Wanetta McGinty; Woman 1 / Maria – Caymond Hodge; Woman 2 – Wanetta McGinty; Tom – Tom McGinty; Randall – Dan Johnson; Mrs. Thompson – Mary Beachy; Mrs. Davis – Gilda Stubben; Ed – Tom Jeter; Schultz – Caymond Hodge; Reineman – Sherrie Hursh; Secretary – Gretchen McPherson; Jane – Delorise Milam; Carter – Sharon Poulsen; Teller – Gilda Stubben; Mr. Welch – Tony Benauer; Owner – Linda Mills; Toll keeper – Tony Benauer; Bouncer – Tom Jeter; Cop – Dan Johnson; Sheriff – Tom Jeter; Charlie / Man 2 – Dusty Mason.
Foley team (sound effects) includes Ellis Beachy, Gretchen McPherson, AJ Beachy, and Malory Dunsford.
Seats for the show are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Greater Escambia Council of the Arts studio is located at the corner of Trammell and Louisville Avenues in downtown Atmore.