New show has plenty of sentimental holiday spirit
Hoping to offer an alternative to the humbug aftertaste left by their annual showcase of David Sedaris’ “The Santlaland Diaries,” Contemporary American Theatre Company is staging a unique take on the classic holiday film “It’s A Wonderful Life.”
Billed as “A Live Radio Play,” the production features a cast of five (Liam Cronin, Rick Clark, Stanzi Davis, Mary Gray, Don Ervin) on Christmas Eve, 1946 in Studio A of Manhattan radio station WBFR, taking on all the roles in Frank Capra’s iconic tale. We recently caught one of the shows, currently on an extended run through Dec. 18 in Studio One of the Vern Riffe Center.
The buzz: Who hasn’t seen Capra’s famous feel-good tale about the down-and-out George Bailey, his absent-minded guardian angel Clarence and the people of Bedford Falls who ultimately becomes the story’s hero. Joe Landry simply takes that well known tale and filters it through a “live” 1940s radio broadcast, complete with loose-leafed scripts and makeshift sound effects.
The verdict: By definition the phrase “live radio play” denotes an evening of listening, which could also mean a boring night out, but the show’s five actors gives you much more than a stoic reading of the film. Cronin is his own dream team as he hilariously navigates a host of voices and accents including the villainous Henry Potter, an absent-minded Uncle Billy, little Tommy Bailey and the voice of God himself. And under Jon Putnam’s perfectly timed direction the actors scurry about tapping shoes and slamming doors in order to create a bevy of live sound effects to accommodate the story. Missed cues and late arrivals also add to the fun. A beautiful period set (courtesy of set designer Michael S. Brewer) and a collection of everyday equipment used to the create the story’s ambient noise also makes the show a treat for the eyes.
Bottom line: Five strong and tiresome performances, perfect timing and a heaping dose of holiday spirit makes “It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” a perfect seasonal diversion. What’s popular can sometimes be right, and if the story’s longevity as a Christmas classic isn’t enough, put your trust in the five vocal masters that turn what could have been a one-trick show into an entertaining night of impressive theater.
“It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” runs Nov. 23-Dec. 18 in Studio One of the Vern Riffe Center, 77 S. High Street, Columbus. Tickets are $11.50 to $40. For more information call 614-469-0939 or visit CATCO.org.
