2008 Woodie Awards
Live radio play provides laughter, entertainment - and a dash of holiday spirit
Nasimeh Easton
Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: Features
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This attentiveness is reflected ITP's focus on reviving and rediscovering classic American plays by showing how the core of the script is still relevant and exciting. To them, these plays often feature strong messages that are especially powerful in today's world.
"In that sense, we're a socially conscious theatre company," said Repoley. "We don't do plays that are specifically written as (social commentaries) - we're interested in a different tactic. Theatre is first and foremost about the art, but the art's not worth it if it doesn't have a social element."
Just as the members of ITP have specific reasons for putting on each play, members of an audience have specific reasons for attending. In this production's case, the play's holiday theme seemed to be the main factor for many.
"My mom wants to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" every Christmas. It's kind of cliche, but it makes you feel good and gets you in the holiday spirit," said junior Allison Murray-Nikkel. "Plus, how often do you get to see a live radio play these days?"
"I love Christmas things," said senior Jordan Spoon, motioning to a man in the audience who bore a startling resemblance to the holiday icon. "I love anything associated with Christmas - including Santa Claus."
Regardless of their reasons for attending, audiences flock to the production. This is NCSC and ITP's second year performing the show, largely due to the Asheville community's positive response to it last year. The interest in the show led the companies to branch out of their hometown and take the production on tour for the first time this year.
It was easy to see why the play did, and does, so well. The actors who played multiple roles did an astonishing job switching between them, and every actor was completely devoted to their performance throughout. The sound effects produced on stage were convincing and extremely entertaining to both hear and watch, and the presence of an "applause" sign made the experience of sitting in the audience all the better. Just as the movie eventually rose to superstardom, the play should become a holiday tradition, beloved in its own right.
I left the theatre cozied up with the same feeling of warmth and contentment the film gives me. Sure, I didn't watch this version of the tale from my couch with a cup of hot chocolate in my hand, but that didn't make the experience any less pleasing.
If anything, it made it better. This story wasn't broadcast from some station far away by people I have no connection to - it was right here in our Guilford community, produced by its very members.
That, I believe, was the best part of all.
"In that sense, we're a socially conscious theatre company," said Repoley. "We don't do plays that are specifically written as (social commentaries) - we're interested in a different tactic. Theatre is first and foremost about the art, but the art's not worth it if it doesn't have a social element."
Just as the members of ITP have specific reasons for putting on each play, members of an audience have specific reasons for attending. In this production's case, the play's holiday theme seemed to be the main factor for many.
"My mom wants to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" every Christmas. It's kind of cliche, but it makes you feel good and gets you in the holiday spirit," said junior Allison Murray-Nikkel. "Plus, how often do you get to see a live radio play these days?"
"I love Christmas things," said senior Jordan Spoon, motioning to a man in the audience who bore a startling resemblance to the holiday icon. "I love anything associated with Christmas - including Santa Claus."
Regardless of their reasons for attending, audiences flock to the production. This is NCSC and ITP's second year performing the show, largely due to the Asheville community's positive response to it last year. The interest in the show led the companies to branch out of their hometown and take the production on tour for the first time this year.
It was easy to see why the play did, and does, so well. The actors who played multiple roles did an astonishing job switching between them, and every actor was completely devoted to their performance throughout. The sound effects produced on stage were convincing and extremely entertaining to both hear and watch, and the presence of an "applause" sign made the experience of sitting in the audience all the better. Just as the movie eventually rose to superstardom, the play should become a holiday tradition, beloved in its own right.
I left the theatre cozied up with the same feeling of warmth and contentment the film gives me. Sure, I didn't watch this version of the tale from my couch with a cup of hot chocolate in my hand, but that didn't make the experience any less pleasing.
If anything, it made it better. This story wasn't broadcast from some station far away by people I have no connection to - it was right here in our Guilford community, produced by its very members.
That, I believe, was the best part of all.
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