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Noble Fool Theatricals, soon to be Fox Valley Repertory in 2011, proudly presents Joe Landry's retelling of a classic American film radio-style, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY, directed by Chicago's award-winning Rachel Rockwell, at the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage (4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL; admin telephone 630-443-0438).
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY will preview Friday, November 5 through Friday, November 12, 2010. The show will open Saturday evening, November 13, 2010 and continue through Sunday, December 26, 2010.Tickets are priced at $29.50 on Wednesdays through Fridays, and at $39.50 on Saturdays and Sundays. Dinner show packages are available from $49.50. Group Rates, Student Discounts, and Overnight packages are also available.Adapted by Joe Landry from the screenplay by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra, and Jo Swerling, the fateful story of George Bailey will come to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. Patrons will become a part of the live studio audience and relive the beloved tale of regret and redemption told through insightful storytelling, familiar characters, engaging sound effects and musical commercial breaks by the local children's choir.
"Because this is a holiday classic for families, we wanted to make this version special by adding commercial breaks that not only showcased the talented youth performers we have right here in the Fox Valley, but to also add a more festive feel with familiar sung carols and other holiday songs," says Artistic Director John Gawlik. "We're fortunate to have Rachel Rockwell direct this show, who's well-known for her award-winning productions at theaters like Drury Lane and Marriott - so I know you'll be in for a real treat," Gawlik adds. Director Rachel Rockwell is pleased to return to Noble Fool where her work was last seen in Married Alive and Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical. Recent directing credits include Ragtime (Jeff nomination) at Drury Lane Oakbrook, The Emperor's New Clothes at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Les Miserables (associate), Nunsense, Disney's High School Musical, Seussical, Disney's Aladdin, Princess and the Pea and Cinderella at the Marriott Theatre: Miss Saigon (Jeff nomination) and The Wizard of Oz at Drury Lane Oakbrook and You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown! at Drury Lane Water Tower Place. Chicago Magazine recently named her Chicago's "best director" of 2010.
The cast of It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play features (in alphabetical order): Tom Clear, Highland Park native Jesse Fisher, Anna Hammonds, Stirling Joyner (previously in Noble Fool's A Christmas Story), Berwyn resident George Keating, Dev Kennedy of Northbrook and Jack Sweeney (previously in Noble Fool's The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee).The children's choir features: Leikyn Bravo (12, South Elgin), Megan Graal (11, West Chicago), Amelia Kuhlman (8, St. Charles), Emily Leahy (9, Elk Grove Village), Kelsey Pettrone (12, La Grange), Rebecca Roy (13, Geneva), Annamarie Schutt (12, South Elgin), Madysen Simanonis (10, Winfield), Emily Marie Turner (10, Sleepy Hollow) and Melissa Wickland (12, Schaumburg).It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play opens on Friday, November 5, 2010 and runs through Sunday, December 26, 2010. Show times are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. Weekday matinees are available at 2pm on: Wednesday, November 11 and Thursday, December 2, 9, 16, and 23. There are no performances on November 10, 25, and December 25. The show is rated PG.
Pheasant Run Resort is located at 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL. For tickets, call the Pheasant Run Box Office at 630-584-6342, or visit www.ticketmaster.com. Additional performance information may be obtained at www.noblefool.org.
