Popular Holiday Show Heads Back to Oswego

One of the Limelight Theatre Company’s most popular productions is headed back into town for the holidays.

This week, the play will begin showing at the in downtown Oswego.

Montgomery resident Brian Brems, director of development for The Limelight Theatre Company, a youth-oriented theatre program through the Oswegoland Park District, said the show has been steadily gaining popularity over the last few years.

This will be the production’s third year in the Little White School Museum, which officials feel has increased attendance “because the show has become a part of holiday tradition in town,”

“Last year, we noticed an uptick in attendance during our second weekend of shows, which we attributed to very positive word-of-mouth,” Brems said.

Set as a 1940s radio drama, the It's a Wonderful Life Radio Play comes alive via an ensemble of “radio actors” who vocally portray multiple characters and a crack team of foley artists who create live sounds effects, according to the Limelight Theatre Company website.

Brems said the cast of veterans and newcomers have been rehearsing for the show for about a month.

“This show is a bit different because the actors don't memorize their lines and there's not much movement to block out,” he said.

He noted that format also has its challenges.

“Like getting actors to alter their voices if they're playing different characters, experimenting with sound effects, and getting music transitions just right,” he said. “It's a show that's different to produce, but not much easier than a full production.”

Aurora resident Julie Kiser is in her third season with the theater company. She initially auditioned the first time for It's a Wonderful Life because she thought it would be an opportunity to do something with her daughter, a fellow performer.

“Little did I know how much enjoyment so many people would find in our participation,” Kiser said. “It has really become a tradition for us both and now for all our friends and family to come and see the play. We have people coming from Wisconsin and renting hotel rooms and making it an annual holiday weekend event. It is our own personal contribution to the local economy.”

She enjoys being able to change her voice or posture “and instantly become a different character.”

“That's a blast,” Kiser said. “I also love seeing the new talent that auditions. It is really exciting to see what different people can do with these characters and voices.”

Kiser said the actors brings their own interpretation to the character and voice.

“Some of these young actors haven't seen the movie so that makes it all the more interesting to see their interpretation,” she said.

It’s not all work and no play for the performers.

“We laugh and have a lot of fun at rehearsal playing with our voices,” Kiser said.

For more information about the show, visit the The Limelight Theatre Company’s website.

Where , 72 Polk St., Oswego
When 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, Saturday, Dec. 3, Thursday, Dec. 15, Friday Dec. 16, and Sunday Dec. 17. There will also be a 2 p.m. showing Dec. 3 and Dec. 17.
Tickets $7 adults & $5 students, seniors and children under 12.
Phone 630-554-1010