Living In TheAdirondacks

AA ‘Wonderful’ time of the year ‘Wonderful’ time of the year

Lake Placid senior directs ‘It’s a Wonderful Life: Lake Placid senior directs ‘It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play’ for the holidaysA Live Radio Play’ for the holidays

By Andy Flynn

Lake Placid High School senior Hannah Wylie wants to be a theater educator and director when she grows up. “I strongly believe in the power of theater and the arts to change the world for the better,” she said. So, as part of her required senior project, she decided to direct a holiday play for the first time. Performances were held on Dec. 17 and 18. “I chose ‘It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play’ for two main reasons,” Wylie said, “firstly because it could be performed online via Zoom or in-person with social distancing, but most importantly because it is a story about hope and the importance of friendship and community, especially during difficult times.” And these are definitely difficult times. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, many people have felt isolated — sheltering in place and staying away from public gatherings — and they’ve felt alone.

It’s the same for the play’s main character, George Bailey, who contemplates suicide by jumping off a bridge on Christmas eve. ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is timeless. It is the collective act of living together as a community that makes life truly wonderful.” Bailey’s community was the fictional town of Bedford Falls. Wylie’s community is the village of Lake Placid. She moved here from Charlotte, North Carolina in June 2020 — in the beginning months of the pandemic. For her senior project, Wylie was inspired by her former high school, which had theater classes. Not so at Lake Placid. While there is a fall high school play, spring high school musical and spring middle school play, she sees room for an expanded theater arts program at Lake Placid High School. She will make the case during her senior project report at the end of the year. “I hope to advocate for an increased presence of the drama program at the high school,” she said. With “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play” being Wylie’s first shot at directing. Learning about the weight of responsibility it took to direct a play, she likened it to being a conductor of an orchestra. “You’re kind of a conductor of it all,” she said. With that responsibility, as a leader, Wylie learned that her attitude and mood — no matter what’s going on outside the auditorium — will affect the attitude and mood of the cast and crew. “I have to be in a good spot mentally,” she said. Wylie directed a cast of 18 students, and many acted in multiple roles. “I hope that this play added a little joy, peace, and Christmas spirit to the Lake Placid community and that the message conveyed in the play inspired the audience to live well in community with one another, for only then will we truly live life to the fullest,” she said.

From left, Taylor Prosper as Joseph, Emma Wylie as Clarence, Tanner Foley as Billy Bailey, and Nick O’Brien

as Horace the Teller. Photo provided — Alicia Brandes