It’s a Wonderful Slice 2019!

(December 22, 2019) Yes, yes, I can hear you now. “‘It’s a Wonderful Slice’ isn’t that special. Everybody does truncated versions of classic plays and novels and films!”

It's a Wonderful Slice 2019Ah, but I’ve been dissing It’s a Wonderful Life for 30 years! I don’t think I was the first, but I was certainly one of the first. And I can prove it! Check out this short YouTube clip from a live performance I did in 2008. If that doesn’t convince you, listen to this radio audio from 1999! Heck, I didn’t even know those things were out there until I did a search about ten minutes ago!

Nowadays, because I’m so damned old, I need help getting through the bit. Actually, I don’t, but it’s more fun when I include my friends. And since most of them aren’t actors, that makes it even better. I call the piece It’s a Wonderful Slice of It’s a Wonderful Life. But I usually shorten it to It’s a Wonderful Slice. The ultimate goal is to perform the piece in around ten minutes. With all of the added fooling around, it can stretch to thirteen or fourteen minutes.

On today’s show, I welcome the following victims…er, guests and their roles.

Peggy Malecki – Mary
Ron Cowgill from Mighty House – Uncle Billy, Ernie, Sam Wainwright, Salesman, Truck Driver
Rich Cowgill from Mighty House – God, Bert, Angry Man
Bill Turck from Playtime with Bill Turck & Kerri Kendall – Peter Bailey, Martini, Nick the Bartender
Justin Kulovsek from Gabby Road – St. Joseph, Board Member, Mr. Welsh, Harry
Hannah Stanley from Gabby Road – Violet, Janey, Ma Bailey, Young Harry
Andrew Moerschel, WCGO engineer – Pete, Young George
Ellicia Sanchez, The Mike Nowak Show administrative assistant – Tommy, Zuzu

At least, that was the cast list for It’s a Wonderful Slice before broadcast. As you will hear, Rich Cowgill, aka God, never showed. Apparently, he had a home construction emergency in Florida, where he lives and works. Yeah. Sure, he did. I can spot somebody who’s bailing on my bit a mile away.

Anyway, welcome to It’s a Wonderful Slice 2019! with a short introduction.