MCC’s Theatre Department to Perform a Holiday Classic Play

Middlesex Community College’s Theatre Department continues to be creative in providing students and the community with performance opportunities throughout the pandemic. The department will put on a virtual live production of “It’s A Wonderful Life: a Radio Play” by Joe Landry at 7 p.m. Friday, December 11 through Sunday, December 13.

Karen Oster, MCC’s Performing Arts Chair, got to work preparing to offer students safe performing opportunities at the start of the pandemic. Although there is a need to run things differently, she also believes it is important to continue forward.

“Right now is a major historical event in our lives and we have to continue to thrive even though it’s happening,” Oster said. “Everyone needs a sense of normalcy – even now more than ever – we have to feel like our brains and bodies are still working, we’re still moving and active. We have to stay connected and engaged.”

The radio play is based on the film of the same name and is performed as a 1940s radio broadcast. In the show, an ensemble of characters join George Bailey as he contemplates the value of his life one Christmas Eve. Performers will act on stage safely spaced out to maintain social distancing and are separated by plexiglass stands built by Peter Waldron, MCC’s Technical Director.

Liv Steeman – a Performing Arts Theatre major from Ayer graduating in Spring 2021 – believes there have been strong efforts made to provide a close community feel throughout rehearsals for the play, even when they are apart.

“This show has proven to me that there is no stopping theatre from happening,” she said. “It is a powerful force that can help people in difficult times. I love performing, I love entertaining people, and I love allowing them to forget about their worries for at least a little while.”

Remaining active within the Theatre Department and taking classes at Middlesex has helped Steeman through difficult times during the pandemic.

“I was always able to continue learning about what I am passionate about,” she said. “And I am so glad to have done it at Middlesex Community College.”

For Peter Carranza – a Performing Arts Theatre major from Tyngsborough graduating in 2022 – he appreciated being able to return to doing something he loved, even if it was under different circumstances and required wearing masks and staying apart from others.

“Now is a time that people really need theatre,” Carranza said. “Theatre can be an escape from the world we live in. To transport someone to a different world and tell them a story and make them forget about life for just a couple of hours, it really feels like something people need now more than ever.”

He also found being in the show to be a challenge, but in an inspired way.

“Working on this show was both very fun and quite difficult,” he said. “I get to play several characters and go through a whole range of voices, which is something I’ve never really done, but having the experience is important when you want to be able to show off your range of voices and characters.”

Jared LeMay – a Performing Arts Theatre major from Tyngsborough in his second year at MCC ­– plays George Bailey. LeMay considers the role to be an “honor and a dream come true.”

“After months of quarantine – which felt like eternity – Middlesex did an amazing job setting up a safe socially distant way to present something heartwarming for the holidays,” he said. “Even though things have taken heavy precautions, I am very happy to be on the stage once more.”

LeMay knows this is a temporary solution to doing something he loves and he hopes the audience will love the show as much as he does.

“I want to thank Karen Oster, the cast and crew for an amazing show,” LeMay said. “I hope you all get to tune in on the production. Please enjoy Middlesex Community College’s production of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’”

To register for a performance at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 11; Saturday, December 12 or Sunday, December 13, email MCCTheatrePerformingArts@gmail.com with your name and selected show date. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/performingarts/ for more information.

Registration is open for both MCC’s Spring semester and Wintersession. The Spring semester starts on January 26 and students can take courses during MCC’s accelerated Wintersession from January 4 to 22.

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