Brethren Christian tells a 'Wonderful' tale

2012-12-31 09:09:16

Actors take the stage, greeting each other with warm hugs and casual conversation, as the audience does the same at their seats. Together, actors and audience quiet down and take their seats in preparation for the live radio broadcast of "It's A Wonderful Life."

In Joe Landry's adaption of the beloved holiday classic, a 1940s radio studio performs its annual narration of "It's A Wonderful Life." Complete with a Foley artist, vintage microphones, and a live band, Brethren Christian creates a dynamic world rooted in sound.

George Bailey (Brennan Lund) is an honest young man who feels he has lost all reason to live one fateful Christmas Eve. He charms us with his kind but wobbly voice, carrying himself as a hopeful entrepreneur, naÃ¯ve to the cruelties of the world.

George's obvious foil, Harry F. Potter (Seth Kennard) approaches his microphone with an air of authority. A "warped, frustrated old man" and the cause of George's anguish, Kennard's gruff, snobbishly confident tone makes him the perfect antagonist.

The small-town siren, Violet Bick (Jordan Thomas), seductively elongates her honeyed words, providing perfect characterization through voice. Her subtle wit gives comic relief to George's tragic tale and portrays her versatility as an actress.

Spencer Strong and Mathew Holevas gracefully fluctuate between multiple roles by altering their voices. Strong conversed warmly as George's good-natured father and spoke in raspy slang as the local bartender. Holevas adopted a thick Italian accent as Mr. Martini and spoke with grace as George's educated and articulate brother. They depicted their characters perfectly without really having to be seen.

Erik Alkire as the Foley artist animates scenes by crunching a bag of corn starch, mimicking someone walking through snow, or breaking a stalk of celery to imitate the sound of broken ice, adding a realistic touch to the workings of a studio set in the Golden Age of Radio. He is supported by the original compositions of Pit director, Cole Fencl, whose jazzy tunes provide perfect transitions for actors to take the mic. Most notably, his composition of a child's uncomfortable stop-and-go piano performance brilliantly heightens tension during a chaotic scene.

The cast's excellent projection and vocalization bring to life an entire town without ever leaving the comfort of a New York City broadcasting center.

As the play resolves in a carol, Brethren Christian reminds us of life's beauty this holiday season.

Sarina Dayal is a junior at Fountain Valley High School in Fountain Valley.

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