Geyer to stage Christmas production, choir performance
Submitted photo
Mark Puskar will be playing Clarence the angel and Justin Williams of Uniontown will be portraying George Bailey in “It’s A Wonderful Life,” which will appear on stage at the Geyer Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14, 15 and 16, and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 17.
Submitted photo
From the front: Gabby Joseph, George Porter, Mary Porter, Rachel Carey, Justin Williams and Isabella Pruchnic. “It’s A Wonderful Life” will appear on stage at the Geyer Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14, 15 and 16, and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 17.
It’s not uncommon to see the black and white classic “It’s A Wonderful Life” on TV around the holiday season.
Thanks to the performers with the Geyer Performing Arts Center, though, the tale of George Bailey’s whirlwind, introspective Christmas will be brought to the stage.
“This show is a different breed — it is a play with music,” said Mandy Onder, education manager with the GPAC, and the director of “It’s A Wonderful Life.”
“Audiences will enjoy a few Christmas classics such as ‘We Wish Your a Merry Christmas,’ ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ and ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!'” she added.
The performance will appear on stage 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14-16 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 17. Tickets are $12.
Onder, who’s been with the center for several years, said she’s directed a number of children’s shows in the past, though this is her first mainstage production.
“The highlight for me was having the opportunity to pick my own production team and cast,” she said, adding that the cast is made up of around 40 people, which includes many families. “Working on a show is fun, but working on a show with friends and family is even better.”
Onder noted that the production is geared for adults and children alike, and that the staged adaption is very similar to the movie.
“The character of George Bailey represents all of us,” Onder said. “We feel that especially in today’s world, it’s a good reminder to all of us that the good guys can win. Plus, who doesn’t feel run down by the holiday season? This show reminds us what is most important in life.”
The younger, local performers also have a chance to stretch their vocal pipes this season with a choir performance 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21, with tickets being a $10 donation.
“Our Geyer Choir students have been working hard this semester to learn Christmas favorites and some new arrangements that are sure to delight audiences,” said Onder, who noted that the kids will be performing songs like “Christmastime is Here,” “Christmas Canon” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”
There will also be an interactive carol portion, in which the audience is asked to sing with the kids.
Onder, who works with the Geyer Choir program with Rebekah Laughlin, said the ‘glee-style’ choir has kids between the ages of 5 and 17.
“This is just one of the many programs we will be offering in the new Education Center beside the Geyer PAC this upcoming year,” Onder said.
For tickets and more information: geyereducation@verizon.net.