(Click the above pic for a better view of the cast in action.)
After the curtain went down on my last several productions, I rarely felt happy. Usually felt uneasy, confused, and frustrated. What did I do wrong, where could we have done this or that better, why didn't they applaud at this line or laugh at that one.
Wasn't sure what to expect while putting this one together. Been trying to get back to my old self for quite a while now, while taking the slings and arrows from myself and others and trying to figure out where I took the wrong turns. A radio play of It's a Wonderful Life. A story I know well, for better or for worse.
Lots of pitfalls with such a well-known story. Gotta do it just right: too much like the movie, not enough like the movie. "Radio" lets you strip away all the clumsy styrofoam sets and preconceived visuals and suddenly you have to learn the story all over again.
Kids looked damn good in their suits and fedoras and bright red lipstick. Big black microphones and the dark piano and the utilitarian set design of the foley troupe all came together to create this small, perfect thing.
Just did one night, not knowing who would come, and one night is all we needed. Small crowd again, but they loved it, surprised at how entertaining it was to watch a radio show. Shook hands, hugged a few people, wished them Merry Christmas and gave a long-overdue mea culpa.
Wished I could have had everyone I knew in the audience that night, to share this great show, to repair the damage and to look towards better days to come, to wish everyone peace on earth, good will towards men.
Packed everything up, turned off the lights, closed the curtain. And in spite of the chill air, the chest infection, and the complete lack of physical energy, I felt like that guy I used to be.
FINAL UPDATE: Got the video link working properly--here's a short clip from the radio show, featuring Brems on Stereotypical Italian Voice.
A short film about the radio adaptation of It's a Wonderful Life we (limelight) did recently.
