The Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall transforms into the idyllic town of Bedford Falls this weekend with "It’s a Wonderful Life: Live from WVL Radio Theatre." This 1940s "live broadcast" radio production, complete with "On Air" signs, multi-tasking actors and plenty of sound effects, is truly "It’s a Wonderful Life" like you’ve never seen it – or rather, heard it – before.
Fans of the classic Frank Capra film will be happy to see that the beloved plot remains intact. After a series of devastating personal downfalls, George Bailey declares to a stranger on Christmas Eve night that he wishes he had never been born. Little does he know that said stranger is actually an angel, sent to Earth to show him his life has special meaning. Bailey is then introduced to an alternate reality in which his terrible wish is granted, making him understand his profound impact on those around him.
This timeless holiday staple is so important to so many people – myself included. For the first four years of our relationship, my husband had never seen the movie (he has now), and whenever he would quote my favorite line of the movie ("To my big brother George, the richest man in town"), I would get visibly upset with him. My argument: You can’t quote the line if you don’t understand the context.
Maybe you’re not like me and wouldn’t start a harmless tiff over a movie quote, but there’s no denying this movie impacts people – so much so that I’m sure most of my fellow audience members on Friday evening could quote the dialogue nearly word-for-word along with the actors onstage.
But when was the last time you watched the film, one you know and love, and really listened to the words, instead of just quoting them verbatim?
"It’s a Wonderful Life: Live from WVL Radio Theatre" forces you to acknowledge that sometimes, even your favorite films deserve a fresh approach. What this production does is wisely translate "fresh" to mean "nostalgic." "It’s a Wonderful Life: Live from WVL Radio Theatre" effortlessly takes you back to a simpler time, when gathering around the family radio was as entertaining as seeing any new "Star Wars" movie today. Their take on the personal journey of George Bailey honors what you love about the story while encouraging your imagination to take a starring role.
Your imagination will immediately be put to the test as soon as you enter the theater. The stage is graced with four performers, two microphones and two prop tables that carry everything from several pairs of shoes to a waist-high wooden door that looks like entrance to The Chocolate Room in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. " But these props are never distracting; on the contrary, they are used at the appropriate moments to appropriately enhance the story (the Most Valuable Prop of the night was a piece of celery, bitten to suggest ice cracking). Combine that with the expert characterization of the onstage talent, and every movie fan in the audience got the complete sense of the film they’ve grown up watching.
Tip from an audience member: To get the full effect of "It’s a Wonderful Life: Live from WVL Radio Theatre," I recommend you close your eyes during a few moments of the show. It’s a wonderful way to hear the whole production come together and hear it as if you were gathered around the radio in the privacy and comfort of your own living room.
While all four actors are accomplished and devoted to the material, the true stand-out of the evening was Strother Stingley. His reading of the angel Clarence was especially charming, and his Mr. Potter sounded frighteningly close to Lionel Barrymore, who portrayed George’s rival in the movie.
Another highlight of the show came when George Bailey and Mary finally admit their love for each other. Now, in the movie, this is quite a swoon-worthy scene. But whether it’s Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed or this production’s Adam Kampouris and Carin Metzger, two ears and one phone make for a heck of a lot of sexual tension – and boy was it fun to see.
Watching this imaginative take on "It’s a Wonderful Life" made me revisit a question that I have often asked myself: Do you ever feel like you were born in the wrong era? We’ve all at least once been asked that question or given it some serious thought.
I always pick the early 1940s. As much as I love my iPhone and Netflix, I often crave to go back to a time when, while the world was still immensely troubled, things seemed simpler. To me, this was a time where girls going to the supermarket looked more glamorous than I did on my wedding day, and when going to the local malt shop was the most exciting way to spend a Saturday night. How can you not romanticize about that a little bit? Maybe that’s a naïve point of view, but it’s an impression that was largely formed from the movies of that era – films like "It’s a Wonderful Life."
If you’re like me, your wish to indulge in the nostalgia of days gone by will easily be met during the charming and festive production of "It’s a Wonderful Life." You’ll feel as if the Ghost of Christmas past himself paid you a visit this holiday season – not to your own past, but to a time you may have never even known.
Performances of "It's a Wonderful Life: Live from WVL Radio Theatre" continue Saturday, Dec. 23, at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall.
