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<\/a>Lance Arthur Smith\u2019s script is the latest in a long line of great entertainment pieces inspired by the classic film. There have been several remakes as well as a musical called \u201cHere\u2019s Love\u201d from \u201cThe Music Man\u201d writer Meredith Wilson. Hillcrest resident and co-star Lise Hafso has her own opinions on why George Seaton\u2019s motion picture continues to be celebrated.<\/p>\n\u201cThe plot is really powerful,\u201d she said. \u201cThe theme about standing up for what you believe in is really important.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the title suggests, the adaptation at the Horton Grand Theatre is not a typical stage production. The eve is in the tradition of an old-fashioned radio show. Inspired by the 1947 Lux Radio Hour broadcast rendition, the night features fun props, sounds effects and other surprises for audiences.<\/p>\n Director Colleen Kollar Smith did not want the cast to listen to the radio event. Instead, she asked the ensemble members to create their own interpretations of the characters from scratch. \u201cI\u2019m not impersonating Edmund Gwenn,\u201d Chovick said.<\/p>\n Hafso plays several characters ranging from a young boy to an elderly priest. \u201cI\u2019m using nine different voices,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s challenging trying to make them all sound different. During early table readings, I would close my eyes and try to imagine I was listening to the other stars on the radio. That helped me a little when it came to defining my character.\u201d<\/p>\n For Chovick, a tough aspect about working on a radio play is the way he interacts with others. \u201cWe look out at the crowd a lot and don\u2019t have many face-to-face conversations,\u201d he said. \u201cThe presentation is very theatrical.\u201d<\/p>\n The show features famous tunes and original songs from Midtown resident Jon Lorenz.<\/p>\n One particular musical number that has connected with Chovick is called \u201cMiracles.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe lyrics discuss how miracles can be appreciated every day of the year,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s a very nice thought. There are also catchy tunes about Macy\u2019s and Gimbels.\u201d<\/p>\n What makes Kris\u2019 journey satisfying for Chovick is the character development with the main family who form a connection with him.<\/p>\n \u201cThe characters are not what you expect,\u201d he said. \u201cSome of them, like Doris (Janaya Jones) and her daughter, Susan (Julia Van Skike), start off as rather unpleasant. They become extremely sympathetic, because the two of them change.\u201d<\/p>\n Although radio plays rarely are performed at the Horton Grand, Hafso thinks audiences will be rewarded for attending.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>