Review: IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY at Washington Stage Guild

I want all of you to go back in time with me for a moment - back to a time before we had all of the technology that engulfs us today. Think of a time when you stared at a wooden box called a radio and just listened to what came out. It might have been a comedian like Jack Benny, a serial like Gunsmoke, or the hit songs of the day on Your Hit Parade.

Wouldn't it be nice to return to that simpler time with all that is going on now? Well, the good folks at Washington Stage Guild are currently presenting a production where you can do just that this holiday season. It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is a theatrical staging of a 1940's live radio broadcast of the classic story. It gives you a glimpse into how they did things before the advent of computers and sound effect programs. Back then, these resourceful artists would create all of the sound effects live with just - in some cases - regular household items. For example, if the story required you to represent the sound of someone walking down the street, a sound artist would "walk" a pair of shoes over a wooden board. In this case, the live sound effects are performed by Steven Carpenter in the role of Art Foley (HAHA get it... foley...live sound!!)

It is Christmas Eve 1946 and you're in the WGBS studios in Washington, DC. Art Foley gives the performers their ten minute call to going on air. It is at this point that the live studio audience will meet the cast of performers. We have Freddie Filmore (Vincent Clark) the radio announcer who portrays the dastardly Mr. Potter and George Bailey's Uncle Billy among others. Next is the dashing Jake Laurents (Joe Brack) who portrays our hero George Bailey. Then we have ingénue Sally Applewhite (Jenny Donovan) playing George's love interest (and eventual wife) Mary Hatch. There's Lana Sherwood (Julie-Ann Elliott) who plays the Bailey's youngest child Zuzu among other characters. Last, but not least, there's Harry "Jazzbo" Heywood (Nick DePinto). He plays Clarence the angel trying to get his wings and George's war hero brother Harry, among other characters.

Joe Landry's adaptation follows the story you're familiar with from the popular film of the same name. George Bailey is a victim of circumstance. He's had several life-changing events that have prevented him from getting ahead and leaving his small, quaint hometown of Bedford Falls for college, a trip to Europe, or something longer term. Following his father's stroke and untimely death, he's tasked with taking over his building and loan business, a longstanding institution in the community. His father was a man of high ideals when it came to helping people and he raised George the same way. Mr. Potter, a slumlord, owns everything in Bedford Falls except the building and loan business, but this doesn't keep Mr. Potter from consistently trying to manipulate George for personal gain. George keeps running the business as he sees fit, which includes looking out for his customers even if it isn't a good business decision. While continuing the family business, George meets Mary Hatch and they fall in love. They eventually have a family and George continues to work hard to provide for them and his community.

Then, something bad happens. When George's Uncle Billy loses a deposit of $8,000 after mistakenly giving it to Potter in a wrapped newspaper, George begins to crack. He begins to wonder why he exists. Realizing he may be worth "more" in death, he considers ending it all. Thankfully Clarence, the angel, stands ready to set him straight. He's sent to earth to show George what life would be like if he never existed. I imagine you know the rest.

Director Laura Giannarelli has an interesting dilemma. How do you keep things interesting when the actors are basically just standing in front of microphones reading from their scripts for most of the show? You give the actors plenty of help with their characterizations, that's how. You could literally close your eyes and just listen to the show and feel the same emotional impact. That being said, it is quite fun to see the actors play off of each other and also run some of the sound effects.

I cannot say enough about Joe Brack's performance as George Bailey. He brings so many layers to the character made famous by James Stewart in the classic film. Brack goes from being a regular easygoing Joe (hehe...get it?) wanting to do what's right to a man having a full-blown breakdown. Brack's performance builds gradually, taking the audience on an emotional ride that is ultimately heartwarming.

As Mary, Jenny Donovan is the perfect match for Brack's George. She is supportive of her husband and continually tries to hold the family together while her husband is out working till all hours of the night. Donovan has an endearing presence and has perfect chemistry with her leading man.

Steven Carpenter's authentic live soundscape has everything from a homemade wind machine and a huge sheet of metal to create thunder. It's amazing what the sound artisans of radio did to make things sound convincing.

Vincent Clark, as Freddie Filmore, has a terrific schizoid scene with himself as he plays Uncle Billy and Mr. Potter at the same time. Even though it's the same actor playing both parts, there is a definite distinction between each character.

Julie-Ann Elliott is terrific in the roles of ZuZu and the flirty Violet Bick while Nick DePinto has you rooting for his Clarence from beginning to end.

Carl F. Gudenius' set is perfectly in period. His studio features two applause signs and replicas of period microphones. The lighting by Marianne Meadows is perfectly moody and Debbie Kennedy's period costumes are right on point too. The recorded soundtrack is designed by Frank DiSalvo Jr.

Grab some pie from Reeves Bakery and gather your family at the Washington Stage Guild's holiday treat, It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. After a hard day of shopping at Woodward and Lothrop, you'll find that this show is perfect for the season. This story of one man never losing hope will bring you and your family together. If you bring your kids along they will learn what it was like in the good old days before computers and television. Who knows, you might get your wings too.

Running Time: One hour and 50 minutes with one intermission.

It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play runs through December 16th 2016 at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church which is located at 900 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC. For tickets, click here.

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