Director's Note
It’s a Wonderful Life is a distinct part of an American Christmas, but it wasn’t always this way. While the 1946 movie had a well-know director and cast, it received mixed reviews and was a mild financial success. It wasn’t until copyright paperwork was mishandled and the movie entered the Public Domain that it became a Christmas classic. Television channels could play the movie over and over again without paying for the rights and it slowly became part of the holiday tradition we know today.
Considered an American-ized version of A Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life focuses on George Bailey, his life, and how money has come to dominate his worldview. It is only through divine intervention that he sees that the value of a person is not measured by his bank account or his bucket list, but by his friends. The story actually has very little to do with Christmas, other than this revelation occurring during the holidays. However, the reminder of a person’s worth and how God uses them is important in a season when many feel isolated and excluded from the joy of Christmas. I feel this message is more important this year than ever before.
All George Bailey wants is to see the world and leave his “crummy little town.” However, every time he gets close to leaving, some tragedy keeps him there. He tells himself that it’s only temporary and that in the meantime he will work, take care of his family, support members of his community, and make plans for when “this is all over.” This may feel familiar to audiences that have been stuck in their homes for the last 8 months with their loved ones, hoping they will be able to get out soon. George’s financial desperation and wish to have never been born may remind us of our loved ones who are still jobless and struggling to find hope. In the end, George doesn’t get to leave Bedford Falls. Instead, he discovers that the richest people are those surrounded by friends and that that is what makes life worth living.
While surrounding yourself with friends this year may look different and traditions (like Christmas plays) are being adapted, I hope this show will bring you hope. George Bailey and Clarence show us that out of suffering comes redemption and growth. So pull your loved ones around your radio or computer screen and let them, and this story, remind you just how very rich you are.
- Morgan McCall, Director
Considered an American-ized version of A Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life focuses on George Bailey, his life, and how money has come to dominate his worldview. It is only through divine intervention that he sees that the value of a person is not measured by his bank account or his bucket list, but by his friends. The story actually has very little to do with Christmas, other than this revelation occurring during the holidays. However, the reminder of a person’s worth and how God uses them is important in a season when many feel isolated and excluded from the joy of Christmas. I feel this message is more important this year than ever before.
All George Bailey wants is to see the world and leave his “crummy little town.” However, every time he gets close to leaving, some tragedy keeps him there. He tells himself that it’s only temporary and that in the meantime he will work, take care of his family, support members of his community, and make plans for when “this is all over.” This may feel familiar to audiences that have been stuck in their homes for the last 8 months with their loved ones, hoping they will be able to get out soon. George’s financial desperation and wish to have never been born may remind us of our loved ones who are still jobless and struggling to find hope. In the end, George doesn’t get to leave Bedford Falls. Instead, he discovers that the richest people are those surrounded by friends and that that is what makes life worth living.
While surrounding yourself with friends this year may look different and traditions (like Christmas plays) are being adapted, I hope this show will bring you hope. George Bailey and Clarence show us that out of suffering comes redemption and growth. So pull your loved ones around your radio or computer screen and let them, and this story, remind you just how very rich you are.
- Morgan McCall, Director
About Our Show
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After her show in March was cancelled, director Morgan McCall lamented the difficulty of creating an in-person second series show this semester. Daniella Brown, an actor in this cancelled show, shared with McCall her experience working as an assistant sound designer in the GCU recording studio for a production of Wings, suggesting she look at radio scripts as a second series. Hannah Hensley was brought on as stage manager once again, the team from last semester's cancelled production together once more. The trio worked on pitches, acquiring rights, and holding auditions for a student-run radio show, something that had never been done before at GCU.
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Meetings in a campus apartment turned into recording sessions in a state-of-the-art studio with the help of worship arts student workers and GCU faculty member, Eric Johnson. The cast and creative team is made up entirely of students, learning to adapt and create art in these times that live theatre is restricted. We hope audiences are inspired, moved, and filled with joy by this timeless, Christmas story reimagined.
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