It’s a Wonderful Life in Belleville

By James Gaughan

BELLEVILLE – The Belleville Theatre Guild is performing the holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life at the Pinnacle Playhouse, but with a twist: the play will be done as if it were a live radio broadcast.

“It’s done with three microphones on stage and the actors sit in these chairs and come up to the microphone … as it was (in live radio broadcasts) back in in the 1940s,” says director Bill Petch.

Scott Roodvoets, who plays protagonist George Bailey, says the production has been very different from what he’s used to as an actor.

“The single biggest difference is that we didn’t have to memorize our lines,” he said. “We get to stand there and read from the script.” But, he added, “you’re putting as much expression into it as you would if you were not reading from the script.”

Petch said that because the actors don’t have to do much action throughout the play, they rely mostly on their voice.

“Because it’s a radio play they need to depict each character using their voice,” he said.

The play has sound effects that are performed on stage instead of being pre-recorded as they would be for a regular play.

“The sound effects are done live, just like they were done back in the old days,” Petch said.

Ken MacPherson performs the sound effects:

Petch said he wanted to do this production because “I love the movie. I’ve always loved the movie. It brings me to tears every time I see it.”

While there are only about 12 people on stage, many more were involved in putting the production together, including set painters, producers and costume directors. In total it was about 50 people, Petch said.

“There are just so many people that are involved in a show like this behind the scenes that you never see,” he said.

Reaction has been positive, Petch said: “We’ve had fairly full houses and the audiences really seem to be enjoying it.”

He’s extremely proud of how well the production has come together, he said.

After a performance Wednesday evening, audience member Gerry Leavitt told QNews News that she enjoyed the play.

“It lets you use your imagination. There’s no better theatre than your own imagination,” Leavitt said.

The production runs until Saturday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. Wednesday to Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. The Pinnacle Playhouse is located at 256 Pinnacle St.