Remember the good old days of radio when people had to use their imaginations, when the mind was a stage?Those days are back, only better! This version of It's a Wonderful Life is staged as if it were being presented as a radio play. It's a Wonderful Life is the story of George Bailey, the unsung, beloved hero of Bedford Falls. As a child, George risked his own life to save his brother from drowning. As he grew older, his countless small deeds mattered very much in the lives of the Bedford Falls townspeople. George prepares to leave town and go to college to fulfill his dream of building
Taylor currently attends Munford Middle school and is in the seventh grade. She played the Glow-worm in the 2004 production of James and the Giant Peach at the Ruffin. She also plays the French horn for her school's band and the base guitar for her church. Taylor attends First United Methodist Church in Millington.
skyscrapers. However, when his father, the president of the small Bailey Building and Loan Company dies, George postpones his dreams. Ensuing crises shove George to a very dark solution until the appearance of his lovable, bumbling guardian angle helps George realize...it truly is a wonderful life.
The Cast
Danny Armitrage
(George Baily)
Danny is the Executive Director of Playhouse 51 and in his spare time is the Associate Dean of Students at The University of Memphis. He lives in Millington with his wife, Kate, daughter, Ellie, Dave the dog, Fluffy the bunny and more fish than he can name. Danny has a degree in Speech Communications and Theatre from Austin Peay State University and over 30 years experience in the theatre. For Playhouse 51, he has performed in Love Letters and directed Bell, Book and Candle. Danny has done stints at Playhouse on Square, Circuit Playhouse, Theatre Memphis, Germantown Community Theatre, The Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and The Gaslight Dinner Theatre to name a few. Years ago he played the role of Jimmy in this play, but is pleased to be on stage again in the role of Starbuck.
Ellie Armitage
Ellie is in Mrs. Clemons’ second grade at E. A. Harrold Elementary. This is her stage debut with Playhouse 51 although she has worked on every Playhouse 51 production either by set painting, publicity, ushering or working concessions with her grandmother, Bonnie Armitage. Ellie has also performed in “Cinderella” at Theatre Memphis and “Down by the Cool of the Pool” at Playhouse on the Square.
(Zuzu Bailey)
Kate Armitage
(Ruth Bailey,Potter's Secretary, Woman Near Library)
Katie has worked with every Playhouse 51 production, but this is her first time on stage. She loves volunteering with the Playhouse and would like to encourage each of you to consider volunteering a little of your time and talent. “It is so much fun!”
Jerry Crosby
(Marty Hatch, Ernie Bishop, Mr. Welch)
Jerry had a great role in 'Big Bucks' a play with his church. He played in several plays during high school at Millington High. Family Christmas was never complete without 'It's A Wonderful Life' and the tears that came with it!
Mike Evans
(Bert the Cop, Joseph, Ed)
Mike is proud to be making his theatrical debut in this production. His favorite memory of this story is when George runs through town after he realizes he really does have a wonderful life.
Carson Ghrigsby
(Hairy Baily,Martini Customer, Reporter,Man at Library)
Carson rejoins Playhouse 51, after stealing the show as Officer Jankie in John Patrick's Everybody Loves Opal, this time in the role of Harry Bailey. Playing Harry will be a stretch for Carson, as Harry is smart, handsome, successful, rich, and even an admired war hero -- antithetical to Carson in every way. This is not Carson’s first experience with Radio as he once pretended to be a DJ for an hour after winning a contest on Memphis Radio station WMFS. Carson's favorite moment in this holiday classic is when Harry shows up at the train station with his hot wife in tow. Carson lives in Atoka with his wife, Lisa, and his daughter Rebecca, and spends his days as a computer programmer for the USPS.
Willian Harvell
(Young George, Young Pete)
William is a very active 12-year-old, with interests including rock climbing, camping, canoeing, tennis, basketball, cross-country and Boy Scouts. He lives in Bartlett, attends Tipton-Rosemark Academy, and is the youngest of four. We are grateful that this well-mannered and dependable young man could find time to debut on our stage with yet another interest: Acting!
Ken Hippchen
(Henry F. Potter,Sam Wainwright, Mr. Carter)
Ken has been active in theatre for the last five years, having performed in "Barefoot in the Park", "Arsenic and Old Lace", "How the West Was Fun", and several others. He has also been drama director at several area churches. The "Wonderful Life" movie is one of his favorites. Ken really likes the transformation of George's attitude, and especially the scene at the end where everyone chips in their money to help him out. The line "Here's to the richest man in town" is very touching.
Taylor Jones
(Young Violet Bick)
Bob Kiser
(Announcer, Chairman, Mr. Partridge)
Bob worked in Community Theater in the late 1970’s, in the interim participating only as an audience member at local theater and Broadway shows. He worked primarily behind the scenes, in lighting and sound positions, which coincide with his position as a broadcast specialist. Bob was the sound director for local theater presentations of “Godspell”, “The Fantasticks” and “Man a La Mancha”. He assisted with lighting in “Arsenic and Old Lace”, “Dark of the Moon”, “Lil’ Abner” and the “Odd Couple”. Bob doesn’t think of himself as an actor, but he thought his background as a professional DJ and Voice Over Announcer would be a good fit for the role of the radio station’s announcer that the play is set in. His only other time on stage was when he was drafted for a role in “Dark of the Moon”. Retired now from the U.S. Navy since 1994, Bob spends his days multi-tasking as the owner of Community Television in Millington, where he operates a cable TV station and produces local commercials that run on cable TV networks like Fox News, CNN, etc. In his spare time he is building a kit car and plays with his granddaughter, Alyssa.
Barry Martin
(Clarence Oddbody, Singer)
Barry spends his days working in the maintenance department at The University of Memphis and his nights with Playhouse 51. He has helped in set construction and wherever else he is needed. He was the assistant director for the Playhouse 51 production of Everybody Loves Opal and appeared in Barefoot in the Park as the Delivery Man and The Odd Couple: Female Version as Manolo. He is active in his church and community. He lives with his wife Cindy, his daughter Bonnie, his 2 dogs Ricky and Stinker and Pepper the devil cat.
Gloria MacFarlane
(Mrs. Baily, Tilly, Mrs. Davis)
Gloria has been a part of the backstage crew for several Playhouse 51 shows, served as director's assistant in "Love Letters," as stage manager in "The Rainmaker" and "The Odd Couple (female version)" and on various Playhouse 51 committees. She enjoys being part of Millington's community theatre, where she finds the same sense of community as that portrayed in the film version of this play.
Bill Painter
(Mr. Gower, Mr. Baily, Mr. Reineman,Martini, Man 2)
Bill is a veteran stage performer who has been self-employed for many years as a voice actor for radio and television commercials, corporate presentations and even audio books (see www.voicepro.info). He feels right at home in our “radio studio” as we create a broadcast version of “It’s A Wonderful Life.” In his mind, it conjures up the many veteran character actors of the ‘thirties and ‘forties who were involved in the classic film, and harkens back to a simpler time in our Nation’s history when the term “family values” had real meaning
Eddie Parker
( Man at Board Meeting, Man on Street, Sheriff, Special Effects)
Eddy has been involved in Playhouse 51 since helping with set construction on Everybody Loves Opal and tried his hand on stage, coincidentally, as the sheriff in The Rainmaker. "I have enjoyed being involved with Playhouse 51 because it has allowed me to meet some wonderful and interesting people who I now consider my friends. I also have enjoyed seeing many people with many different personalities and interest come together to make a production the best it can be. Since a young child I have watched the movie, “It's a Wonderful Life” almost every holiday season and each time he finds the lesson of giving a wonderful opportunity no matter what the time of the year. Eddy is also very excited about working with Melissa and her two children, Garrett and Brittany and hope they enjoy this production so much so they will become more involved in the theater.
(Uncle Billy, Man, Nick)
Bill Roarback
Bill is a retired Navy Submariner who first started performing in Greece and Germany in the early 1980's. Married for 28 years with 2 children. After he retired from the Navy, he returned to the stage first as "Uncle Teddy" in "Arsenic and old Lace". He went on to perform in "Ten Little Indians" as Detective Blore, "My Son is crazy but promising" as Oysters Rockefeller, and to direct several one act plays that competed in the Georgia Theatre Conference Community Theatre division, winning that division in 2000 with "No Fading Star", then competing with that play at the South East Theatre Conference.Bill’s Favorite scene from the play is when the George and Mary throw rocks at the old house and make a wish. He said, “My wife and I have made wishes in unusual ways over the years (didn't break any windows), by skipping stones, throwing seashells in the ocean, on falling stars, using whatever is handy.”
Nick Settle
(Joe, Freddie, Man on Street, Man 1 at Library)
Nick is very excited to debut at Playhouse 51. He has appeared in numerous Theatre Memphis productions, including "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream coat," A Christmas Carol" and "East of the Sun/West of the Moon." He has also appeared in two movies, "21 Grams" and "Streaker." He is also currently appearing as Joe Stoddard in "Our Town" at Millington Central High School, where he is a sophomore. He participates in Concert Choir as a baritone. Nick hopes to become a professional author and is now working on a 4-part tragedy novel. He sends his gratitude to his loving supporters and family, and appreciates that their support has helped him on his way.
(Mickey, Woman in Loan Office, Violet Bick, Singer)
Rebecca Sherrod
Rebecca’s interest in theatre began on Bolton High School’s Stagelight Theatre under the direction of Debbie Nelson. This is Rebecca’s second show with Playhouse 51. She played Mickey in the female version of The Odd Couple. Rebecca is currently a teacher at Elmore Park Middle School where she teaches math, theatre and Russian.
Karen Thompson
(Mrs. Hatch, Mrs. Thompson, Woman 1 in Library)
This is Karen's debut with us, although she has for five years performed lip syncing and dancing for the annual Relay for Life. A real estate agent, she and her husband Roger have lived in Millington for 20 years. They have one son and two grandsons. Her favorite part of this play is the rock throwing scene and when Mary answers "yes" to George's query as to the gender of their as yet unborn baby.
Hanna Whitehouse
(Young Mary Hatch)
Ten-year-old Hannah lives in Bartlett where she attends Brownsville Optional School in the 4th grade. She starred as Mother Goose in kindergarten, did a song and dance routine in 3rd grade, and her mother says she loves to ham it up in general at home. Hannah's mature rehearsal manner has been appreciated during the past few weeks.
Melissa graduated from UT Martin in 1993 with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts. She served as one of the original three founding members of Playhouse 51. This is her first appearance onstage with Playhouse 51, although she has worked behind the scenes on a couple of other shows. Enjoy the show and Happy Holidays!
Melissa Wilson
(Hortense, Hellen, Singer)
Brittnay Wright
(Janie Balie)
This is Brittany's very first experience being on stage in a theatrical production. She is in the 7th grade at Munford Middle and enjoys playing French horn in the band and is on the tennis team. She hopes to be involved in future productions. She really likes the story of "It's a Wonderful Life" and hopes its message is something more people will take to heart.
(Young HairyBaiely, Tommy Bailey)
Garrett Wright
Garrett is excited about being in this production and about making some new friends. Garrett is a 2nd grader at Drummonds Elementary and enjoys bike riding and anything Star Wars. When asked, “What the story of "It's a Wonderful Life" meant to him”, Garrett said, "It means that it is better to give than to receive."
Melissa Wright
(Mary Hatch Bailey)
Melissa has been involved with Playhouse 51 from very early on. She was Ethel in "Barefoot in the Park" and directed "Everybody Loves Opal." She has thoroughly enjoyed the experience of working on something with such a great group and seeing it all come together. She especially looks forward to working with her family on this production. Favorite "It's a Wonderful Life" Memory: As a child, my family and I would watch it every holiday season. My Mom, who passed away in 2000, was an eternal optimist. She really loved the movie and saw the good in everyone. I'm sure that by now she's earned her wings.
Amanda Kate Walker
(Solo)
Amanda Walker is the daughter of Beth Bright and Jeff Walker. She is a senior at Munford High School and loves to be on the go. She enjoys people and loves to work with children. Amanda is employed at a day care center after school. Amanda has been singing practically from birth and has always enjoyed Karaoke. She took voice lessons for several years and has been in school chorus for 4 years. Her plans after graduation include schooling to become an EMT, followed by Paramedic school and then becoming a firefighter. She loves to lead an exciting life.
(Special Effects)
Lindy Wilkerson
Lindy has been an invaluable member of Playhouse 51 since its inception in 2004. She is our properties mistress and has also worked behind the scenes for just about every play in just about every area. Tonight, she makes her debut on stage as part of our live sound effects team, having collected many of the sound effects tools herself. She enjoys her community theater and looks forward to many happy returns.
Director
Jane Lester
Jane makes her directing debut for Playhouse 51 with “It’s A Wonderful Life - - - The Radio Play.” Jane has appeared in our productions of “Bell, Book, and Candle” and “The Odd Couple: Female Version,” and has worked backstage as well. Since she works as Continuity Director/Copywriter for WMC AM/FM Radio, she now gets to combine her day job with her hobby. As for the movie, Jane (party girl that she is) says she’s spent many a New Year’s Eve in her p.j.’s ringing out the old, bringing in the new with George, Clarence, and the gang . . . and a big box of tissues.
Assistant Director
Sue Nan Hartley
Sue Nan Hartley, a life-long resident of Millington, graduate of Millington Central High School many years ago. Sue Nan is assisting Jane Lester and this is her first time with a production at Playhouse 51. She has worked with play groups at her church for many years and with dinner theater plays with the youth of her church. She also was part of an attempt at Community Theater many years ago. She is very active in her church, First United Methodist Church, and is serving at this time as Chair of the Millington Library Board. This has been quite a nostalgic experience since Sue Nan is old enough to remember the days before TV and spent much of her young life listening to radio serials and dramas.
Janie, Young Hairy,Mary (Brittnay,Garrett & Melissa Wright)
Young Violet,Young Mary Taylor (Jones & Hannah Whitehouse)
Bert & Ernie
(Jerry Crosby & Mike Evans)
