EMERALD COAST THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS “IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY

EMERALD COAST THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS

“IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY,” DEC. 6-23

Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with

2 p.m. matinees on Sundays

Miramar Beach, Fla. (Nov. 8, 2018) — Hear that? It’s the sound of the holiday spirit coming to life live on stage. December 6-23 Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) will present Joe Laundry’s “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.”

The performance runs Thursday, Dec. 6 (opening night) through Sunday, Dec. 23 and will be staged at ECTC’s performance space located at 560 Grand Boulevard (upstairs) in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, located in Miramar Beach, Florida.

Two performances on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 9:30 a.m. (sold out) and 10:45 a.m. are designated for Field Trip groups. Tickets $12 per person (free for teachers).

This beloved American holiday classic is sure to captivate audiences of all ages. The story to comes to life staged as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings dozens of characters to the stage, and live, on-stage sound effects, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers a world in which he’d never been born one fateful Christmas Eve.

“This heartfelt story is perfect for the holidays,” said ECTC producing artistic director Nathanael Fisher. “Our community may have seen the movie a million times but this will a special intimate experience. Watch actors change characters in seconds, see the Foley artist liven the play with sounds and music, join in the spirit with others as we celebrate the fact that we all have a special place on this earth.”

Nathanael Fisher directs an ensemble cast each of whom will portray multiple characters. The cast includes Spencer Collins (George Bailey/Young George); Caitlin Artrip (Mary Hatch/Young Mary); Kaitlyn Millsap (Violet/Young Violet, Rose Bailey, Matilda, Ruth, Mrs. Hatch, Mrs. Thompson, Schultz, Zuzu, Janie, Sadie Vance); Christian Paris (Harry/Young Harry, Bert, Clarence Oddbody, Same Wainwright, Martini, Dr. Campbell, Charlie, Horace the Teller, Mr. Welch, Tommy, Sheriff); and Bruce Collier (Announcer, Gower, Potter, Billy, Joseph, Peter Bailey, Ernie, Old Man Collins, Ed, Pete, Nick, Bridge Keeper, Binky, Cop).

A Foley artist will be on stage. Foley (named after sound-effects artist Jack Foley) is the reproduction of everyday sound effects that are added to film, video, and other media in post-production to enhance audio quality. These reproduced sounds can be anything from the swishing of clothing and footsteps to squeaky doors and breaking glass.

Costume design is by ECTC associate artistic director Anna Fisher. The production is stage managed by Bridgett Bryant with assistance by Meghan Sorrell. Set, sound and lighting design is by Cory Tucker.

Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays. Running time is 90 minutes. Appropriate for all ages.

Theater patrons are encouraged to come early (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) to browse artwork by local artists showcased in the ECTC Lobby Gallery curated by Lori Drew, founder of Lowkylzart. A portion of proceeds from each sale benefits ECTC and its education outreach and scholarship programs.

Tickets are $30 for adults; $28 for seniors (55 years old and up) students, and military. Purchase tickets online at emeraldcoastheatre.org/tickets or call (850) 684-0323.

The 6th season continues with “Dancing Lessons,” Jan. 17-Feb. 3; “Bad Dates” starring Jennifer Steele, March 7-10 (one weekend only) and “Around the World in 80 Days,” March 28-April 7.

ECTC’s Professional Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) showcases professional actors performing productions especially selected for young audience members. The next TYA offerings are “The Snowy Day and Other Stories,” Feb. 15-23 and “You Think It's Easy Being The Tooth Fairy?” May 16-19. The performance schedule is Fridays at 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. (the first weekend only). Tickets to TYA productions are $10. Children three and under are free.

New this year ECTC launches its Story Teller Series, featuring professional actors presenting compelling stories and dramatic works. The performances will be in February on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. The lineup is as follows: Feb 6, Stories by actor Thom Gossom; Feb 13, “The Iliad” performed by 9 Muses Theatre; Feb 20, “Winston Churchill: Through the Storm” performed by Bruce Collier; Feb 27, “So Others May Live: Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers Saving Lives, Defying Death” presented by Martha J. LaGuardia-Kotite.

Spring brings the third annual Northwest Florida Theatre Festival hosted by ECTC and presented during South Walton ArtWeek, May 15-19, 2019.

Major sponsors for this season are Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, Isidro Dunbar Modern Interiors, and Howard Hospitality. For more information on sponsoring ECTC, call Nathanael Fisher at (850) 684-0323 or visit emeraldcoasttheatre.org/sponsorship.

ECTC is a non-profit professional theater company founded by Anna and Nathanael Fisher, MFA, in 2012 with a mission to enrich and entertain the Emerald Coast community through professional and educational theater. After six years, ECTC has clearly established itself as a professional theater company focused on staging thought-provoking productions, festivals and creative collaborations as well as a valued community resource for professional acting, educational theatre for children, and theatre for young audiences.

To make a tax-deductible donation, volunteer or learn more about Emerald Coast Theatre Company, find them on Facebook, call (850) 684-0323 and visit www.emeraldcoasttheatre.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Follow this link to representative images.

Photo Caption & Credit:

Mary Hatch played by Caitlin Artrip with Announcer played by Bruce Collier

Photo Credit: Cory Tucker

ABOUT EMERALD COAST THEATRE COMPANY

Emerald Coast Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) founded in 2012 by Nathanael Fisher, MFA, and his wife, Anna Fisher. Based in Miramar Beach, Florida, ECTC’s mission is to enrich and entertain the Emerald Coast community through professional and educational theater. ECTC operates year-round with a two-fold mission to provide both educational and professional offerings to the Northwest Florida community. Educational outreach includes after school and home-school programs, touring and staged productions, summer camps, workshops and classes. The professional theater efforts are focused on thought provoking productions, festivals and collaborations as well as acting and improv workshops and classes for adults.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Zandra Wolfgram

zandra@wordplayink.com

(850) 218-8805