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As a director, I am drawn to stories that, regardless of their content, reflect some aspect of the humanity within human beings. Too often, I think critics and theatre afficianados downplay the importance of theatre whose major mission is to entertain audiences. Being transported into another world filled with characters who are both interesting and sincere can have an immeasurably positive effect on the audiences who take that journey. Thus, whether it is the complicated and multi-dimensional works of William Shakespeare, the impactful and profound works of more recent playwrights such as Tony Kushner, or the dynamic and imaginative worlds that are created within the genre of musical theatre, the most important aspect of my work is creating a world where the characters being observed help us better examine and explore our own sense of humanity.
The characters in this play truly epitomize the humanity I noted in my earlier answer. While the journey of George Bailey is certainly an iconic and classic holiday story, the issues and goals that he espouses within in the play are deeply relevant today. The idea that we as a society must strive to help those who are less fortunate than we is an important message to remember during the holiday season. Further, how we measure our success or failure in the world should not be based on how much money we make but, rather, on how many people we impact and touch during our lives. George is a true reminder of the humanity and self sacrifice needed to function within our constantly evolving society.
Audiences will be transported to a classic radio station in New York during December of 1946 thanks to the wonderful design elements created by the Clarence Brown Theatre design and techical staff. Sophisticated and classic costumes of the period will be complimented by a charming and seasonal set that will wllow the audience to feel as though they are taking part in this live radio broadcast as members of the studio audience.
The University of Tennessee | College of Arts & Sciences | UTK Theatre Department | Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 | 865-974-5161
