As the holidays are approaching, take the opportunity to visit community-led events

Action Community Church, a local church located off of Sunnyside and Sierra hosts a free live theater opportunity– open to all who want to come.

 Action Community Theater (ACT) is showcasing a performance of the Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life. However, this show is no ordinary production: set in a radio studio during the 1940s and is told through voices and sound effects— as if the audience is listening to the show on the radio themselves.

Past Fresno Christian teacher Brianne Debbas, (formerly Brianne Vogt), is one of the seven voice actors of the radio show. Debbas shares her insight into the unique genre ACT chose.

“Radio shows are special because they take the audience on a different kind of journey than a regular show does because they really engage your listening senses more than a normal full-blown play,” Debbas said. “When the kids are sledding down a snow-covered hill, there’s not a scene with little boys on a hill, it’s people at microphones, but when you close your eyes you hear the snow crunching and the ice cracking.”

Performances will be on Dec. 10, 16 and 17 at 7:00 P.M, as well as Dec. 11 at 9:00 A.M. & 1:00 P.M. Although tickets are free, attendees must preregister if they want to guarantee a seat. 

The play is not only a community-building opportunity, ACT uses the radio show as a venue to raise money for The Gateway Project. The Gateway Project is a partnership between Southern California Assemblies of God Churches and Sawyer Water Filters to bring clean water and the gospel to Egypt. 

All money made from the show through concessions and donations will go towards mission organization.

Max Debbas, director of the show, shares his heart behind the production. 

“ACT’s goal is to make theater accessible for all and raise awareness and money for the humanitarian crisis in Egypt,” Debbas said. “Donations will be collected and all proceeds from concessions will go to helping children and families access clean water in Egypt through ACT’s partnership.”

To support the Gateway Project, or enjoy free entertainment, come out to see one of the performances of It’s a Wonderful Life!

To read more from The Feather go to Movie Review: Black Panther Wakanda Forever and Consequences of CA electric car mandate.