OHS’ “It’s A Wonderful Life” production to take new directorial challenge head on

The Oxford High School Theatre program is performing a rendition of the Christmas movie classic “It’s A Wonderful Life” that’s somewhat different than a normal stage show.

OHS’s rendition of the show is a reading of the movie’s script, with OHS actors and actresses playing actors and actresses from the 1940s who are doing a radio reading of the show.

OHS theatre director John Davenport said this type of show posed a challenge for him directorially, as it wasn’t as simple as actors playing a specific role.

“Where normally we stage a show based off a character’s motivations,” Davenport said. “In this one, the character’s motivation is just to be at the microphone at the appropriate time to read their line.”

“It’s actors, playing actors, playing characters.”

Davenport said there originally wasn’t a Christmas show on schedule for this season.

When OHS decided to add a Christmas show to the season, “It’s A Wonderful Life” stuck out to him as one that allows OHS to have a much bigger cast size.

“We decided to add a show just to give more opportunity,” Davenport said. “This one was one that kind of stuck out to me as being relatively simple enough to do quickly, but has a lot of potential for being a good, quality show.”

The show is set in 1946, around the same time the classic film was released. The characters in the show are also actors who are performing the show over the radio, which is reminiscent to how families enjoyed performances in the 1940s from home and before television was invented.

This is where the show takes on its novelty.

“The novelty of it is it’s a group of actors in 1946 who have come into the radio to read this play on the air,” Davenport said.

While younger generations aren’t very familiar with the movie, Davenport said the cast was familiar with the movie’s iconic lines and familiarized themselves by watching the original movie as a whole.

His hope is, even though members of the student audience aren’t familiar with the show, that parents who are bringing their children to the show are the ones that recognize “It’s a Wonderful Life” as a holiday classic.

“In their culture today, I’m not so sure they would immediately say, ‘oh yes, I know that, that is a classic,’” Davenport said.

The show will be performed December 13-15 and will start at 7:30 p.m. at the Kayla Mize Auditorium at Oxford Middle School.

Tickets are available online, as well as at the door.

SportsPlus

News

Aldermen approve design agreements for North Lamar improvements, roundabout

News

Junior League of Oxford celebrates “International Find the Good Day” today

Business

Live music at Home Place Pastures

Events

Oxford musicians to perform at First Memphis Pizza Festival

News

Aldermen OK new wood fence along Oxford Memorial Cemetery

News

Transfer of Punkin Water to Oxford complete

Business

Newk’s customers can help fight ovarian cancer

News

Regents soccer takes Kirk Academy 3-0

Elections

MS’s Election Division among several states targeted with suspicious package

Featured Photo

Constitution Week Proclamation Signed

News

JJ Pegues named Wuerffel trophy semifinalist, AFCA Good Works Team Honoree

Events

Oxford, Lafayette remain A school districts

Education

2nd Chance MS announces annual Party on the Green fundraiser

Education

OSD announces National Merit Semifinalists, Commended Students

Education

Two Lafayette seniors named as National Merit Scholar Semifinalists

News

Oxford Fire Department weekly calls

Events

Photo Gallery: 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

Business

Big Bad Business workshops aim to support entrepreneurs

Lafayette County

Hopewell Water issues self-imposed boil water notice

Education

New OSD Director of Transportation, Supervisor of Grounds announced

Lafayette County

City, county board approve 2025 budgets

Events

Free Square Jam Session to feature Neon Junkies, Thistle Ridge, Maggie Rose

Lifestyle

Faith Planters organization aims to empower youth

Education

Cheerful greetings on a gloomy day