‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ to be performed in Alliston

November 27, 2013 · 0 Comments

Dear editor:

How many people do you know who have had a dream come true? Well Sarah O’Donnell, who lives in Beeton, is one of them. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Education and Acting. And even before receiving this degree, she yearned to have her own theatre company. And that dream came true beginning in January of this year when she opened Crazy Pants Theatre School.

It is a company of young performers, aged 8 to 18. You may have seen one or both of her plays performed this year at Circle Theatre in Alliston – Shrek, and Willy Wonka. They attracted large audiences of children and adults.

The exciting news is that on Friday, December 6th and Saturday December 7th, Crazy pants Theatre, with director Sarah, will present that great holiday classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, as a 1940’s radio play. This will also happen at the Circle Theatre.

I was able to watch one of their rehearsals on Nov. 12th in the large upstairs hall of the Beeton memorial Arena. They also rehearse in the Rotary Hall in Beeton. It was impressive to see Sarah lead her performers in a series of stretch exercises before the actual rehearsal began. She told me she does this before all rehearsals.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” is essentially a moving examination of the worth of a single man’s life, namely George Bailey of Bedford Falls. It’s dark and bright, full of passion and despair and joy. I’m sure you’ll remember how well Jimmy Stewart filled this role in the movie.

Because of its adult themes, this was a major challenge for the actors n the Crazy Pants Theatre School. There are 26 in the cast, and I noticed that whether it was a major or minor role, as an actor was rehearsing Sarah would explain how that person should be feeling to make the part come alive. I wanted to know how the young students felts about performing a play with a definite adult theme as compared to the two that were much lighter.

The first reaction when I asked was, “It’s cool”. Others added, “You learn things,” and, “It opens your mind”, also “It’s a challenge”. Indeed it is, and one that Sarah O’Donnell has measured up to and inspiring her young performers to do the same.

You can see the show on Friday, December 6th at 7 p.m. and Saturday, December 7th at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. All at the Circle Theatre, Alliston. Advance tickets: $12 child; $15 adult. At the door $20 child and $25 adult. Sarah advises going online for tickets to avoid long lines at the theatre – www.crazypantstheatrecompany.com

Betty Anderson,

Tottenham