Spotlight Gala: “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play”

Camren Ray
eSomethin’ Staff

A new theatre tradition is coming to the PHS drama club called, “The Spotlight Gala.”

This year, the gala is a special one-night-only performance of “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” by Joe Landry, at the Commodore theatre on December 17.

The Spotlight Gala is a thespian-only performance put on by the Drama Club and has a unique selection of students staging the show.

“I’m looking forward to working with a much smaller group because it will be a much closer experience so we can work on technique and character development,” said director Kory Meinhart.

The play follows the character Jake Laurents (Owen Dennis), a radio actor cast in the role of George Bailey, the protagonist of the radio production’s plot. Angel Clarence Oddbody (Harry “Jazzbo” Heywood) guides George Bailey to help him realize how different life would be if he wasn’t born.

“I think the biggest challenge is being able to juggle playing fourteen separate characters while keeping them all separate in my brain. I’ve overcome this the best by just running through it all and getting used to switching voices as much as possible,” said junior Clayton Snyder.

The gala is a fundraiser, hence the upscaled prices for this show: tickets are $50 a person.

“It is a showcase, we are casing our talent” so “ticket price covers the performance and the dinner,” said Meinhart. The dinner will be catered by Olive Garden.

These upscaled tickets may not be within the reach of students wanting to attend to support their friends, but don’t fret! Friday, December 16 is “student night” in which PHS students can attend a dress rehearsal for $10. For admission bring your student ID. This will be the only way to get in. Dinner will not be provided on this night.

“I think the best part is how much freedom we get and in such a short time we are able to come up with some of our best ideas,” said Jingle Singer Mira Zarobinski.

Aleah Castillo, also a Jingle Singer, said “I think the most fulfilling part of the gala has been being a part of and performing with such an honorable group.”

“Hanging up posters and promoting the show” has been Crew member Leah Bohnsack’s favorite part of the show so far.

Owen Dennis said “The most rewarding part of the process has to and always working with the wonderful cast and crew. Every day I get to work with such talent far exceeding normal expectations and that to me is wonderful!”

If you are interested in attending the Spotlight Gala and having dinner, you can purchase tickets at perrysburgtheatre.ludus.com. Purchase tickets before Saturday, December 10.

Other stories on eSomethin