SLN NOVEMBER 19 Final R

Page 16 November Edition Seven Lakes News
Seven Lakes Performers In Sunrise Theatre‘s
Production of the Live Community Radio Play,
“It‘s A Wonderful Life“
The story is about a man who spent
his life giving to the people of his
hometown. When his world falls
apart, he’s given the rare chance of
seeing what life would be like if he
had never been born.
t’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio
Play is based on the classic holiday
movie with a clever twist thrown
in: the story is staged as a live
radio broadcast. Actors portray
numerous characters, and sound
effects. It’s a Wonderful Life is
about the life of George Bailey, a
generous and well-meaning man
who has become too downcast and
tired to continue living.
It will take help from a lovable angel
to show George what life would be
like if he wasn’t born for George
to have a change of heart and
understand the true spirit of the
holidays.
Strange, isn‘t it? Each man‘s life
touches so many other lives. When
he isn‘t around he leaves an awful
hole, doesn‘t he?
Remember, George: no man is
a failure who has friends. Great
quotes from the movie. It‘s A
Wonderful Life spoken by Clarence
to George Bailey.
The Sunrise Theater is a thriving
entertainment center featuring first
run and independent films, music
concerts, local theater, and live
broadcasts of the Met Opera and
Bolshoi Ballet. The Sunrise Theater
continues to be the cornerstone
of theater arts and entertainment
in the North Carolina Sandhills
dedicated to serving the community.
Adapted from Frank Capra’s holiday
classic the Radio Play version, a
1940’s radio station is the setting
and actors are radio station
employees and actors producing
an old-fashioned radio show of the
timeless story.
This beloved American holiday
classic comes to captivating life as
a live 1940s radio broadcast. With
the help of an ensemble that brings
a few dozen characters to the stage,
the story of idealistic George Bailey
unfolds as he considers ending his
life one fateful Christmas Eve.
The cast of the Sunrise’s community
theater production of It’s A
Wonderful Life Radio Play is set
with local actors Dustin Bonecutter
as George Bailey, Jordan Cranford
as Mary Hatch Bailey, and Eric
VonSalzen as Clarence, the angel
trying to earn his wings. The play is
sponsored by McClain Drug.
The radio station announcer, Peter
Bailey and four other characters
are all played by Patrick Kelly;
Glenn Hussein portrays the evil Mr.
Potter; Rebecca Mourouzis is Violet
Bick; and Nick Dokich is Joseph,
the angel guiding Clarence through
his challenge.
A talented group of young actors
take on multiple roles with Sarah
Archer as Young George and Janie;
Quinn Augustine as Young Mary
and Zuzu; Emma Spisak as Young
Violet and Pete; and Stephen Makie
is Young Harry and Tommy.
Rounding out the cast are
multitalented and versatile actors
who are able to play numerous
roles each, creating several
personalities with only their voices.
Randy Merritt is Mr. Gower, Uncle
Billy, Ernie, Shultz and the sheriff;
Jamie Barnes is Matilda, Ruth, Mrs.
Hatch, Mrs. Thompson, and Sadie
Vance; Loretta Aldridge is Rose,
Charlie and the Bridge Keeper; and
Michael Florence is Bert, Harry,
Sam, Dr. Campbell, Martini, and
Nick.
The play is being co-directed by
Sunrise House Managers Claire
Sellers and Killian Poplyk. Claire
holds a Bachelor of Arts in Stage
Directing & Management from
Greensboro College and was
previously the Executive Intern with
North Carolina Theatre Conference
(NCTC).
She has held various production
roles at Triad Stage along with
many theatrical credits in stage
management, directing, house
managing, and sound design.
Killian has a B.A. in both Theatre
Studies and Media Arts &
Entertainment from Elon University
and a Masters in Sound Design
from Savannah College of Art &
Design (SCAD).
He’s worked in various technical
roles for theatre productions and
has years of experience as both
a stage and voice actor. When
he’s not house managing for the
Sunrise, he’s whipping up trailers
for upcoming Sunrise events.
Seven Lakes resident Randy Merritt
plays Mr. Gower. Randy is a retired
television news/sports director
who relocated to Seven Lakes from
Charlotte in 2006. With his wife
Ronda, he is the owner of Friendly
Marts in Seven Lakes and Robbins.
Although Randy has never acted
before, he’s wanted to for 55
years. His love of the story and the
opportunity to be in a community
theater production rekindled this
aspiration.
Michael Florence lives in Seven
Lakes and is the owner of Record
& Data Storage Solutions. He
has announced for many local
events over the years including
Autumnfest, Chamber events,
and Pinecrest Bandfest. He
loves theatrical illusions and the
challenge of bringing so many
characters to life in one show.
Michael Florence plays Bert in the
Radio Play.
“One of the best holiday shows
around. This is a fresh and inventive
way of reconnecting with a classic
story of love and redemption.“
Mary Houlihan, Chicago Sun-Times
Saturday, November 30 at 2pm
and Sunday, December 1 at
5pm. Tickets are $20 VIP / $15
Reserved and can be purchased at
SunriseTheater.com, at the Sunrise
Office, or by calling the office at
910-692-3611.
Sunrise Theater is a 501(c)(3) Tax
Exempt, Non-Profit Organization.
tax deductible to the fullest extent
permitted by law.
By: Millie Jameson SLN
Serving 7 Lakes & Moore County, For Over Twenty Five Years