What do you do with an old chestnut?
An old chestnut is one of those wonderful things, usually decades old, that is a national or international favorite.
The fantastic Christmas story "It's A Wonderful Life" qualifies as an old chestnut. And while the temptation for a theater company is to perform the old chestnut, Next Act Theatre is taking it and turning it into a funny, engaging bowl of top-flight mixed nuts.
Mary MacDonald Kerr has moved the story from Bedford Hills to an old-time radio station. In the days she honors, radio was the place for stories, told by actors with sound effects and music. Families gathered around the radio to hear the stories and to share the time together.
She has adapted the story into a radio show, complete with some great Milwaukee actors like Kerr herself, David Cecsarini, Norman Moses and Bo Johnson, Jack Forbes Wilson and Debra Babich.
George Bailey searched for the things in life that are important, and this show promises to be one of those things this holiday season.
"It's A Wonderful Life: the Radio Show" opens at Next Act Nov. 15 and runs through Dec. 9. Tickets and information are available at the website.
With a history in Milwaukee stretching back decades, Dave tries to bring a unique perspective to his writing, whether it's sports, politics, theater or any other issue.
He's seen Milwaukee grow, suffer pangs of growth, strive for success and has been involved in many efforts to both shape and re-shape the city. He's a happy man, now that he's quit playing golf, and enjoys music, his children and grandchildren and the myriad of sports in this state. He loves great food and hates bullies and people who think they are smarter than everyone else.
This whole Internet thing continues to baffle him, but he's willing to play the game as long as OnMilwaukee.com keeps lending him a helping hand. He is constantly amazed that just a few dedicated people can provide so much news and information to a hungry public.
Despite some opinions to the contrary, Dave likes most stuff. But he is a skeptic who constantly wonders about the world around him. So many questions, so few answers.
