Pekin Secondary School to present ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’

The Pekin Secondary School fall play, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” will open Friday, November 11. It is the first production since the return of Staci Wright as Pekin Secondary School’s drama director. Wright held the position from 2002-2006. She and assistant director James Eschenbrenner are reprising the play, which they did previously in the fall of 2005. This version is only slightly different.

Parents and community members have three opportunities to attend the play. Regular performances will be held Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $7 at the door. A portion of seats will be reserved for the parents of seniors and will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. There will be a dinner theater held on November 12. The dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the production to follow. Guests will have their choice of either ham balls or oven-roasted chicken and green beans. Loaded salad with choice of dressing, loaded mashed potatoes, and a dessert also will be served. Tickets are $22. Ticket reservation for the dinner theater can be made by calling the secondary school office at (319) 695-3707 on or before November 7. Tickets must be paid for and picked up in the office on or before November 8.

“We are really looking forward to a fabulous show,” said Wright. “It’s nice to be back in a position with a creative outlet, and the kids have been amazing. Jim and I both are so incredibly proud of how hard they have worked.”

Wright said that prior to the start of school, she met with school officials and together, it was decided that the drama productions would formally be opened up for participation by students in grades 7-12. This was only a slight change to what the previous policy had been. In the past, parts were cast to all high school students who auditioned first and then remaining cast and crew positions were given to middle school students who wanted to participate. Now, students in 7-12 who wanted a part could audition and parts were cast on who directors felt were best for the part.

“Any change is hard and we know that, but years ago, we also had a middle school play and now we do not,” Wright said. “Because IHSA bylaws dictate that only students in 9-12 can participate in speech contests, that meant students in grades 7 and 8 had no performing arts opportunities available to them until they reached the ninth grade. Pekin has always prided itself on having strong extracurricular activities in both athletics and the fine arts. This change will help ensure that the program grows and that students with an aptitude will again have six years of opportunities available to them.”

“It’s a Wonderful Life” is set in the Great Depression and tells the story of George Bailey, an important townsperson who is grappling with his station in life. After a series of life-setbacks and mishaps, he considers ending his life when an angel is sent to show him what life would have been like if he had never been born. Wright said they selected this play because not only is it a favorite of hers, but it is a story of love, friendship, hope in difficult times.

“I think we all probably all have, at one time or another, felt a bit like George Bailey,” Wright said. “What matters is that we all come to the same conclusion that George does. Each of us matter, and each of us is like a pebble thrown into a pond. The ripples go out and touch other people — sometimes in ways we never know about. Every person on the planet plays his or her important role in life and without even one, the entire dynamic of life shifts.”

The play also focuses on the importance of friendship. Clarence, the angel, reminds George that “no man is a failure who has friends.”

“The holidays are a very good time to take pause and reflect on what really matters,” Wright said. “We hope every audience member will leave a little lighter than they came. It’s also a fun, lighthearted way to kick off the holiday season. It’s just a good reminder that what makes a person rich has never been and never will be money, it’s the people around us who love us, care for us, and keep us going.”

In addition to Eschenbrenner, Wright has also been assisted by Joy Latcham and Kari Beth Hamilton. All sets are being built by Roger Wright and the student crew. Pekin’s Matt Guise has assisted with art and graphic design. Although it is not a musical production, there are portions of the play that contain some music. Brenda Hagedon is directing the music.

Wright said above all, it is the students and parents who have done the bulk of the work.

“The kids just keep coming and practicing and we’ve had some really late nights. That requires a huge commitment on the part of parents who are driving their kids,” she said.

Parents also have taken turns providing meals and snacks for rehearsals. Wright said this has been crucial because many of the students come from one practice to another.

“They perform better when they are fed,” Wright said.

Practice continues this week and next. Sets are still going up and painting is being done, but Wright is confident they will be ready when the curtain opens.

“There is this crazy time that happens right before a play where you start to worry a bit if everyone and everything is going to be ready, but then it all seems to fall into place and that is a magical experience — not just as a director. That is magical for the kids. And that is really what counts,” said Wright. “It’s a delight to watch it unfold.”

For questions or inquiries, Wright can be reached by phone at (319) 695-3707 or by email at staci.wright@pekincsd.org