HO Hope for a vaccine. For health. For enough joy to make it through this season of darkness. Christmas 2020 will be like no other.
It is indeed a Wonderful Life, thanks to local actors BY STEPHEN MILLER
I
n a time where we have all been affected by COVID-19 economically, in health, in politics and in social interactions, we remain optimistic that times will return back to normal and that life is still wonderful. Powell River’s Townsite Actors Guild has stepped up its game and figured out how to entertain us throughout these times by producing the famous story of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ This classic holiday tale is being presented as a radio play throughout the month of December.
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE What: A radio play performed by the Townsite Actors Guild When: 7 pm, December 6, 8, 9, 13, 22, 23. Where: On CJMP 90.1FM in Powell River, and online at CJMP.ca Socially distanced and at all times being aware of COVID protocol, Townsite Actors Guild worked with 14 actors from Powell River using the Zoom application for rehearsals and performance readings. The result is a thoroughly entertaining production of the story that will capture the imagination of its audiences both young and old. The actors are: Todd Caldecott, Stephanie Miller, Andrew Kadler, Bill Garrett, Patrick Lowe, Kathy Szajnfeld, Scott Randolph, Kris Montgomery, Jeremy Buhay, Nicole Narbonne, Will Langlands, Stephen Miller, Doug Southerland and Wendy VanReisen. The story could be about you or me, about your neighbour or your friend. It is the story of George Bailey, a young man that dreams of glory and lives in hope. He loves and doubts and only Providence puts a final value on his service to humanity.
6
• December 2020 • prliving.ca
How Lee finally g BY LEE COULTER
Last year, from mid-November to mid-December, there were only six days that I wasn’t either in rehearsal or in some performance. I was busy with the Powell River Chorus preparing for its annual Wassail Concert, sing-outs at Extended Care and the Santa Claus Parade. I was rehearsing with the Academy Chamber Choir getting our harmonies just right for Carols by Candlelight. The Powell River Community Band asked me to narrate their special Gift of the Magi Concert. Walter Martella and fellow singers got ready for Jazzy Christmas and the choristers at St. David & St. Paul had the usual weekly rehearsals and services for Advent and Christmas. I’m sure I was not alone as I know there were many others who were as busy as, or even more so, than I was. This is a musical town. My love of singing began as a young boy soprano, when I joined the chapel choir at St. Andrew’s College in Ontario. We would lead the singing during chapel services every morning and Sunday evening. The annual Christmas Concert was the highlight of the year with several hundred young men singing at full voice! I continued with student musicals in high
DASHING THROUGH THE SONGS: Lee Coulter, dressed for success at Kathaumixw, 2018. school and then at university. Regrettably, I didn’t keep up with any formal training nor much singing until I returned to Canada in the 70’s after several years teaching in Japan. Then, first as a tenor (and now as a baritone) I started back at it, joining various community and church choirs in the Richmond/Vancouver area.
