By Sarrah Peters
News Editor
The Theatre of Gadsden is presenting the final performances of “It’s a Wonderful Life” this weekend on December 18, 19 and 20. On Friday and Saturday, the performances will be at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, the performance will be at 2:30 p.m.
The Theatre of Gadsden’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” has a unique twist. The play will be performed as if the audience is watching a 1940s radio show. The performance even has commercials!
Like all of the Theatre of Gadsden’s shows, “It’s a Wonderful Life” focuses on quality.
“The quality of the work we are doing is amazing,” said Theatre of Gadsden spokesperson Deon Green. “I am impressed by it.”
To give its best performance, the theatre chooses actors based on talent, even if that means the actors don’t fit the typical image of the character they play.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Advance tickets are available on Showclix and at the box office an hour before showtime. The Theatre of Gadsden is located at 310 Wall Street in Gadsden.
With the year ending, the Theatre is gearing up for next year’s season. The 2016 lineup is Smoke on the Mountain on January 29, 30 and 31; Tree House Rumplestiltskin on February 18, 19 and 20; The Fantasticks on March 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13; Nunsense on April 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18; Mame on July 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31; Tree House Jack and the Beanstalk on Sept 8, 9 and 10; Dracula on Oct 20, 21, 23, 27, 28 and 29; and Sanders Family Christmas on Dec 9, 10, 11, 15, 16 and 17.
The Tree House plays, Rumplestiltskin and Jack and the Beanstalk are part of the Theatre of Gadsden’s push to get more children into the theatre.
“At least 20 percent of our actors are educators as well,” said Green.
Not only can children benefit from watching literary plays, but the Theatre of Gadsden also provides a history lesson.
“The theatre still has the segregated black section,” said Green.
Children participating in plays can even learn technical skills, like set-building and lighting.
“Age 7 to 80, from kids to seniors, there is room for everybody,” said Green.
The theatre is offering season tickets for the new year. Playbill advertisements are also available for donors.
For more information, visit www.theatreofgadsden.org or call 256-547-7469.