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It’s a Wonderful Life: The Live Radio Drama is coming back to a Red Deer stage

The Ignition Theatre fundraiser runs Dec. 20, 21
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Ignition Theatre’s It’s a Wonderful Life: The Live Radio Drama is on Dec. 20 and 21 at Red Deer’s Memorial Centre. (Contributed photo).

George Bailey and the Bedford Falls gang will be back on stage in Red Deer as Ignition Theatre stages It’s A Wonderful Life: The Live Radio Drama.

The play, which runs Dec. 20 and 21 at the Memorial Centre, has become something of a local Christmastime tradition. It’s Ignition Theatre’s most popular production, returning to the stage for the fifth time as a fundraiser for the company.

The screenplay from the classic film, starring Jimmy Stewart, has been adapted for the stage by Tony Palermo. The play will be staged as a live radio broadcast.

Sixteen actors will portray more than 50 characters, while sound engineer Dustin Clark will create all of the show’s sound effects live on stage.

The play, directed by Dustin S. Lawrence, will feature actors Ryan Mattila, Vanessa McCagg, Debby Allan, Keith Ainscough and many others.

It’s a Wonderful Life tells the heart-warming story of community-minded George Bailey, who gets discouraged by life until an angel named Clarence shows him what Bedford Falls would look like if he had never been born.

In the end, George learns that no man is a failure who has friends.

Audiences will hear live music in this production, as well as performances of local radio commercials done by Improv Jelly, a Red Deer sketch and improv company. (Red Deer businesses interested are encouraged to contact Ignition Theatre to get one of the remaining slots.)

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 from www.ignitiontheatre.ca, or at the door.

Proceeds will go towards Ignition’s professional season programming, and $1 from each ticket sold will be donated to the charitable Stonewall Community Foundation.



lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com

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