Have you ever wondered what "it" refers to in the title of Frank Capra's classic film It's A Wonderful Life?
Better yet, if you happen to think that your own life is wonderful, do you ever stop to contemplate what makes it so?
Is it love? Family? Money? Power?
And if you don't think your life is wonderful, do you know what would make it so? And why?
I had these questions in mind the other day when I had the honour of attending the cast and crew introductions, and first script reading of the upcoming production of It's A Wonderful Life at Theatre NorthWest.
Sitting in the back of room, as an observer to this theatrical tradition, got me to thinking about my own life and the attributes I like about it.
The one thing that has been a constant source of joy and wonder for me over all my years has been bearing witness to the creative process. Whether as an audience member, or on stage as a performer, or even as an observer in a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a film, a play or a gorgeous new painting or piece of pottery. I should admit I even like programs like Project Runway and a multitude of cooking shows. Personally, I have zero design skills and food-wise I'm a mere scavenger, but seeing something develop from raw materials into a beautiful, finished product always fascinates me.
True to their high calibre, Jack Grinhaus and his team at Theatre NorthWest are going to get our imaginations working with this adventurous production of the stage version of It's A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play by Philip Grecian. And what is going to be really timely in these days of strife and conflict is how we will see the theme of the interconnectedness of humankind coming to life on stage.
Per its title, the version we will be seeing is staged as a 1940s radio play.
Which means we will be watching actors, who are playing actors, who are playing the beloved characters of the well-known drama, on a set, representing a stage.
Fun, right?
The design mock-up of a 1940s radio station we saw at the script reading is very cool. I am completely drawn to that strong modernist, post art-deco period, with the glass, vinyl and melamine that were typical materials employed in furniture of the day.
Regarding costumes, I think we are in for a treat - especially if you are a fan of chic 1940s footwear and outerwear.
But most of all, how interesting it will be to take a trip back in time to the not too long ago past when we as a society were democratized through free broadcast media - in this instance radio. These were days before there were literally thousands of different outlets that fueled our compulsive need for 24-hour news cycles and mirrors for our narcissism. And a time before we were able to invest significant chunks of cash towards our media entertainment - further fracturing us - like cable TV stations, satellite radio, YouTube content, pay-for-streaming websites etc.
I personally agree with Jack Grinhaus's theory, which is that theatre is one of the few remaining legitimate opportunities we have to get out from underneath the electronic and digital media onslaught for a communal and shared cultural experience, rather than an escape from reality.
We have opportunities to escape from reality every day and all day, ranging from staring at our social media apps will sitting in coffee shops and waiting rooms and sometimes even during conversations, right thru to taking our laptops to the bed at night to fall asleep with Netflix.
In other words, we don't go to the theatre to escape. We go to connect with each other and exercise the parts of our brains that are being de-activated by our devices.
And it's a good thing to take look at the timeless reasons why we like It's A Wonderful Life. Old-fashioned sounding ideas like the importance of charity and good will, loving one's neighbours, and treating everyone with respect and dignity, especially in times of adversity.
Looking back at 2017 and ahead to the next year, these seem as important now here in Prince George as they were 70 years ago in Bedford Falls.
It's A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play runs at Theatre NorthWest and opens Nov. 23 running until Dec. 13.
Tickets are available at Books and Company and online at theatrenorthwest.com.
I hope to see you there.
