The Lifestyles section would like to extend a heartfelt apology to the Cabrini College theater for its previous publication of the production “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”.
Every fall semester Cabrini College theater puts on a fall play. This year’s play was inspired by a movie originally directed and produced by Frank Capra in 1946. Joe Landry then took that movie and turned it into a play; And now Cabrini’s theater will bring this show to life.
Director of Cabrini College Theater, Dr. Thomas Stretton, is very enthusiastic on putting on this play. “It’s something that both the older and younger audiences will enjoy,” Stretton said. “The older audience will be reminded of what radio was like. The youth will have an appreciation for what entertainment was like 65 plus years ago.”
The play is very straightforward in Stretton’s opinion. Not giving away too much of the play he shares the types of things to expect from the play. “The play will show audience how illusions on radio were created,” Stretton said. “The sounds that people would usually hear over the radio years ago will be created right on the stage.”
The play has many outstanding effects such as a wind machine, washers in a vase and an old-fashioned cash register. The play also features a piano and drum set to add to effects. Stretton is pulling a lot of strings in putting this production together that he knows with hard work from everyone will be outstanding.
Stretton’s wife, Mrs. Kay Stretton (the boss), is lending a helping hand as the music coordinator. The boss is helping teach music since all commercials are music. “Young people don’t know how fun commercials were,” Stretton said.
Stretton allowed a walk-through of the theater to give a little taste of how the black box theater was transformed into a live radio studio. The set was designed by Joseph Urbanik who Stretton says is the “scenic designer” of the play. Urbanik has been responsible for many of the sets seen on Cabrini’s stage.
The stage for “It’s a Wonderful Life” is set up with a wall that is creamed-color and red with a silver lining. Still in the beginning stages, Stretton mapped out what more needed to be added to the already outstanding set. There will be call letters, on air and applause sign.
The theater will feature 12 Cabrini students and include two children players. Many will see many familiar faces to the theater including new players as well. The two guest players are also familiar faces of the theater: Julian Greenawalt and Mary Ellen Hallion, daughter of Dr. Hallion.
There will be eight shows put on by the Cabrini theater. The play opens on Nov. 7, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. Stretton encourages all students, faculty, staff and families to come out and enjoy this play. He says it’s not just showing how entertainment was years ago it has more depth to it.
“There are lessons that can be learned in the play,” Stretton said. “This play was shown at the San Quentin Prison and it had a lot of impact.” So much impact that the prisoners wrote letters to producer Frank Capra. Stretton tries not to spoil to much of the play but says according to the reactions of the prisoners this play gives a new perspective on self and life.
Info Box:
Cabrini College Theater
Show nights:
Thursday, Nov. 7- 8pm
Friday, Nov. 8- 8pm
Saturday, Nov. 9- 8pm
Sunday, Nov. 10- 2pm
Thursday, Nov. 14- 8pm
Friday, Nov. 15- 8pm
Saturday, Nov. 16- 8pm
Sunday, Nov. 17- 2pm
Tickets are available in the SEAL office free of charge.
