Royal Players to stage Christmas classic: It’s a Wonderful Life
BENTON - The Royal Players will present It’s a Wonderful Life on Dec. 1-4 and Dec. 8-11 at The Royal Theatre at 111 S. Market St. in Benton.
Showtimes are 7 p.m. on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and military, and $5 for students. Tickets can be reserved online at www.theroyalplayers.com. For phone reservations, call (501) 315-5483. Tickets can also be purchased at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.
Lisa Goodrich of Benton directs this stage adaption by Doug Rand from the classic holiday film by Frank Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra and Jo Swerling.
“Many of us have grown up watching It’s a Wonderful Life every year during the holidays,” Lisa Goodrich said. “It has a beautiful message about family and community, and it reminds us of the true spirit of Christmas.”
It’s a Wonderful Life takes place on Christmas Eve in Bedford Falls where businessman George Bailey feels overwhelmed by his sense of responsibility and wishes he were dead. Prayers by his family result in an angel visiting and showing him what life would be like had George Bailey never been born. With some divine intervention, George realizes how wonderful his life really is as his friends and family rally to help him overcome a financial hurdle.
Harold Dean of North Little Rock plays George Bailey, and Daphne Shoppach of Benton plays the role of Mary Bailey. Rounding out the Bailey family are Kathy Bartholmey of North Little Rock (Mrs. Bailey); Vaughn Collar of Little Rock (Pop Bailey); Brooklyn Courtney-Moore (Janie) and Berkeley Courtney-Moore (Zuzu), both of Little Rock; Luke Ferguson (Young George), Izzy Hammonds (Young Mary) and Abby Jo Windsor (Ruth Bailey), all of Benton; Michael Bartholmey of North Little Rock (Harry Bailey); and Caleb Burnett of Prattsville (Young Harry).
Jeremy Clay of Sheridan plays Clarence the guardian angel, who earns his wings with a little help from fellow angels played by Charlotte Hammonds (Jo) and Cheryl Vanwinkle (Frankie), both of Benton. Jim Troillett of Bryant plays Mr. Potter.
Rounding out the ensemble is Bill Whipple, Jim Whipple, Elizabeth Bartyzal, Carl McBride and Josh Grandon, all of Benton; Johnny Jackson, Kami Trammels and Rylee Bolls, all of Bryant; Ersella Hughes of Hot Springs; Matt Cerino and Hunter Strom, both of Sheridan; and Debbie Wright, Madison Courage Fleck, and Tracy Courage, all of North Little Rock.
Daphne Shoppach and Laura Ferguson are co-producing the show, and Annslee Clay of Sheridan is the student director. The show includes costuming by Dee Burton of Bryant, Jordan Burnett Mays of Conway and LeeAnn Clay of Sheridan; set construction by Carl McBride; technical assistance from Tony Clay of Sheridan and Timothy Huddleston of Bryant; and props by Jack Clay of Sheridan.
It’s a Wonderful Life is generously sponsored by Jeff Mattingly Foundation. The show runs about 2 hours with one intermission.