Amherst students perform 'It's a Wonderful Life'
by JILL SCHMELZER Reporter

Devon Borowski, left, rehearses with Cydney Kramer, Ian Murray and Jamie Meyer for Amherst Central High School's upcoming performance of "It's a Wonderful Life." Photo by John Rusac

Amherst Central High School will present "It's a Wonderful Life" at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17 and 18 in the auditorium, 4301 Main St., in Amherst.

Student officers in the drama department at the high school chose "It's a Wonderful Life" because it is a classic and challenging for the actors to perform, said student director Annise Celano.

The plot begins when the character George Bailey has found himself in a financial rut, Celano said.

Much like the scene from the 1946 movie, George decides to end his life after this line: "Where's that money, you silly stupid old fool? Where's that money? Do you realize what this means? It means bankruptcy and scandal and prison. That's what it means. One of us is going to jail - well, it's not gonna be me."

As George, played by senior Ian Murray, is standing out on the ledge about to take the plunge, his guardian angel, Clarise, appears and shows the businessman what life on Earth would be like without him.

Senior Jamie Meyer plays George's guardian angel. Although she was described by Meyer as a nerd, Clarise's character is very concerned about George.

Murray has been performing at the high school for the past four years and said his character is just an average guy, but he has big ambitions and a lot of friends.

"He gets depressed because he doesn't fulfill all of his ambitions," Murray said. "An angel shows him he's a great person."

Cydney Kramer, a junior, plays the part of Mary Bailey, George's wife. Kramer has worked on her character and said Mary does everything she can to keep her marriage together.

"She still hangs on and knows love can prevail," Kramer said, noting that she watched the movie and worked from Donna Reed's portrayal of the character and then made it her own.

The students have been rehearsing for the past four weeks. The leads have all watched the movie but said they developed their characters on their own.

"It's wonderful to work with such a wonderful cast," said Celano, a junior. "It's cool to see how the actors work with each other and how the set, lighting and blocking works."

Tickets for the play cost $5 presale and $6 at the door. In conjunction with the performances, Amherst students will be collecting nonperishable food items for local shelters. The drop box will be available from 6 to 7:30 p.m. each night and during intermission.