Play Review: ‘It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play’

I recently attended the second show of the Walterdale Theatre’s 65th season, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. Directed by Tracy Wyman and written by Joe Landry, the production takes a classic story and finds a fun new way of showcasing it to an audience: over the radio. By taking us back to a 1946 WFBR radio station in Baltimore, the show induces a nostalgic holiday atmosphere.

Due to its radio nature, It’s A Wonderful Life tells its story through dialogue. The actors manage to keep the audience engaged through strong character voices and animated expressions. An added challenge that comes with a radio play is that actors must portray an actor portraying a character. All of the performers slipped seamlessly in and out of their radio personalities.

Nearly all of the performers played an actor who portrayed a variety of characters. Their ability to convey completely different people by simply changing their tone was delightful. Ethan Handford, who brought to life a number of characters, stood out as an outstanding voice actor. His ability to change from gruff old man to excited young tot at the drop of a hat was magnificent. Josh Young’s portrayal of Jake Laurents as George Bailey is lively and heartfelt. He admirably conveyed the earnest, light-hearted side of George’s character. Unfortunately, Young could sometimes get caught up in the buoyant side of George, and often vocally neglected to explore the darker, hardened side of George. Despite his lack of poignancy, Young remained a strong glue that held the ensemble together.

With Young as their anchor, the ensemble maintained an amiable camaraderie throughout the show. Their effortless chemistry filled the studio with life. The ensemble provided connections between characters even when their movement was forcibly limited. Whether they were singing a peppy commercial jingle or interacting with the audience during intermission, the cast maintained a sense of light-hearted closeness that made it feel as if their characters had been doing radio together for years.

The cherry on top of this lovely holiday feast was the inclusion of a live foley artist (Dustin Berube) and his eager assistant (Casey Powlik). Foley artists used practical effects to create sound effects and soundscapes for radio programs in the early twentieth century. Using props such as shoes, bells, and a miniature door, Berube and Powlik brought the world of It’s A Wonderful Life to life through sound. The physicality of their routine combined with the playful nature of practical sound effects added to the joyful atmosphere of the show.

It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, on until December 14, brings the spirit of Christmas to life. With vibrant vocal performances and a load of nostalgia, this is a show you won’t want to miss!