Reading Community Players lights up the season with a dazzling, live retelling of
the holiday classic It's a Wonderful Life, opening Friday, December 5 and running
through Sunday, December 7 at the WCR Center for the Arts.
This spirited production reimagines Bedford Falls with bold theatricality and
creative designs that invites every viewer to become citizens of the small town.
Audiences will leave seeing their own lives through George Bailey’s wrenching
choices and joyful discoveries.
Expect brisk storytelling that moves from warm nostalgia to gutting honesty and
back to triumphant hope. Vivid costumes and interactive staging create an
immersive holiday experience that’s both intimate and cinematic.
Under the inventive direction of Randy Miller, the show mines fresh emotional
depth and laugh-out-loud comedy from familiar moments. George’s struggles feel
immediate, the supporting ensemble bursts with lovable color, and the angelic
presence is as surprising as it is tender.
Miller has greatly appreciated putting this heart-warming show together. “I enjoy
bringing dramas to the stage, developing the storyline into a believable experience
for the audience.” He also likes “to help actors of all experience levels to bring
their characters to life, make them believable, and deliver the meaning of the
story.”
Appearing as Mary, local actress Emily Hershey treasures the director’s guidance
along with her own efforts. “I’m thinking about my character on and off as I go
throughout my daily life. So when it finally clicks on stage, it’s magical. Being in the
moment on stage and embodying who the person is alongside your cast mates,
forgetting your real self entirely- there’s nothing like it.”
Actor Tim Weiss, who plays George Bailey, encourages audiences to get tickets.
“So many people consider this one of their favorite movies.” He explains, “They
can enjoy a familiar, uplifting story while seeing it done a bit differently. They will
leave feeling warm and fuzzy.”
Miller will also relish the audience reaction. “All the despair and hard times we
each experience in our lives tend to bring us down.” He continues, “It's a
Wonderful Life lets us all know that there is good, that we need to open our hearts,
eyes, and ears to feel the meaning of the season.”
Jeremy Herchelroth, appearing as Mr. Martini, looks forward to sharing a holiday
message with the audience. “By being a part of this show, it gives me an
opportunity to step back in time to show what a small town is like at Christmas.
Also, the hope and togetherness that this time of year often brings is so
important.”
Herchelroth concludes, “Seeing this show will be a great reminder of the impact
we have on other people's lives.”
Contact Reading Community Players box office at rcptheatre@gmail.com for
further information. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and
can be purchased online at readingcommplayers.com. Come celebrate what
matters most this season — community, courage, and the surprising ways a single
life can light up the world.
Reading Community Players is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to
bringing quality theatre and arts education to communities. To learn more about
the organization and their offerings, visit www.readingcommplayers.com. For
questions, contact the RCP President at 610-507-3436 or emailReading Community Players lights up the season with a dazzling, live retelling of
the holiday classic It's a Wonderful Life, opening Friday, December 5 and running
through Sunday, December 7 at the WCR Center for the Arts.
This spirited production reimagines Bedford Falls with bold theatricality and
creative designs that invites every viewer to become citizens of the small town.
Audiences will leave seeing their own lives through George Bailey’s wrenching
choices and joyful discoveries.
Expect brisk storytelling that moves from warm nostalgia to gutting honesty and
back to triumphant hope. Vivid costumes and interactive staging create an
immersive holiday experience that’s both intimate and cinematic.
Under the inventive direction of Randy Miller, the show mines fresh emotional
depth and laugh-out-loud comedy from familiar moments. George’s struggles feel
immediate, the supporting ensemble bursts with lovable color, and the angelic
presence is as surprising as it is tender.
Miller has greatly appreciated putting this heart-warming show together. “I enjoy
bringing dramas to the stage, developing the storyline into a believable experience
for the audience.” He also likes “to help actors of all experience levels to bring
their characters to life, make them believable, and deliver the meaning of the
story.”
Appearing as Mary, local actress Emily Hershey treasures the director’s guidance
along with her own efforts. “I’m thinking about my character on and off as I go
throughout my daily life. So when it finally clicks on stage, it’s magical. Being in the
moment on stage and embodying who the person is alongside your cast mates,
forgetting your real self entirely- there’s nothing like it.”
Actor Tim Weiss, who plays George Bailey, encourages audiences to get tickets.
“So many people consider this one of their favorite movies.” He explains, “They
can enjoy a familiar, uplifting story while seeing it done a bit differently. They will
leave feeling warm and fuzzy.”
Miller will also relish the audience reaction. “All the despair and hard times we
each experience in our lives tend to bring us down.” He continues, “It's a
Wonderful Life lets us all know that there is good, that we need to open our hearts,
eyes, and ears to feel the meaning of the season.”
Jeremy Herchelroth, appearing as Mr. Martini, looks forward to sharing a holiday
message with the audience. “By being a part of this show, it gives me an
opportunity to step back in time to show what a small town is like at Christmas.
Also, the hope and togetherness that this time of year often brings is so
important.”
Herchelroth concludes, “Seeing this show will be a great reminder of the impact
we have on other people's lives.”
Contact Reading Community Players box office at rcptheatre@gmail.com for
further information. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and
can be purchased online at readingcommplayers.com. Come celebrate what
matters most this season — community, courage, and the surprising ways a single
life can light up the world.
Reading Community Players is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to
bringing quality theatre and arts education to communities. To learn more about
the organization and their offerings, visit www.readingcommplayers.com.