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A CurtainUp Review
It's a Wonderful Life: The 1946 Live Radio Play
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The Irish Rep Brings Back A Wonderful Life: The 1946 Radio Play For This Year's Holiday Season By Elizabeth Ahlfors
Times change. In the 1970's, television began featuring the film regularly. Live radio adaptations started with Lux Radio Theater in 1947 and today live readings on radio station settings are presented in theaters around the country. It's A Wonderful Life, is now considered a classic, a bittersweet morality tale of George Bailey, the self-sacrificing Bedford Falls banker and the crisis he faces, leading him to consider suicide. Enters Clarence, a bumbling Angel 2nd Class, trying to earn his wings, who shows George what the small town would be like if he had not been born. For the second year, The Irish Repertory Theatre‘s W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre presents Anthony E. Palermo's live radio adaptation of the film. Directed by Charlotte Moore, the plot is trimmed to basics. Switches of hats, eyeglasses and props color the characterizations and lighted signs reading, "On Air" and "Applaud." The script is warmed with a focus on emotion, optimism and perked with old-time commercials, like the deodorant suggestion that "Mum's the Word" to change your armpit into a charm pit. Also Carter's Little Liver Pills, "available in pill form or suppositories." Previous cast members returning to The Irish Rep radio studio include Kristin Griffith, Ian Holcomb, and Peter Maloney and Rory Duffy, all covering 25 characters, with Duffy also busy with SFX duties. This year, Haley Bond brings a winsome flair to Mary Bailey and Howard McGillen, as George Bailey, shows hints of the famous James Stewart slight stammer in the film. Although the actors are on radio, David Toser has dressed them in 1940's period clothes, adding visual nuance for the theater audience . Less dark, complex and sentimental than the film, The Irish Rep radio version pares their It's A Wonderful Life, down to a feel-good, 70-minute respite in the holiday hubbub. Editor's Note: We're re-posting last year's review of the show after the production notes. Or you can just use this link to jump down to it: The Review of the Show in 2012 Production Notes: A Wonderful Life: The 1946 Radio Play Adapted by Anthony Palermo, based on Frank Capra's 1946 film Directed by Charlotte Moore Cast: Haley Bond, Rory Duffy, Kristin Griffith, Ian Holcomb, Peter Maloney, Howard MGillin Scenic Design: James Morgan Costume Design: David Toser Lighting Design: Michael O'Connor Sound Design: Zachary Williamson Production Stage Manager: Michael Palmer Running Time: 70 minutes. No intermission Theatre: Irish Repertory Theatre, W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre, 132 West 22nd Street. Tickets: Starting $45. Call the Irish Rep box office at 212-727-2737 or visit www.irishrep.org. Performances: Wed. at 3pm, 8pm; Thu at 7pm; Fri. at 8pm; Sat at 3pm, 8pm; Sun at 3pm. Special performances Dec. 23 at 7pm and Dec. 27 at 3pm. No performances Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Approx. Running Time: 70 minutes, no intermission Previews: 12/4/13. Opens: 12/10/13. Closes: 12/29/13 Review by Elizabeth Ahlfors based on performance 12/5/13 |
The Original Review
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Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. Y'know, George . . you really had a wonderful life.".— Clarence
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You know the story. George Bailey from Bedford Falls, New York has given up his dreams so that he can help others. As time passes, and economic hardships hit home, he contemplates committing suicide on Christmas Eve. The Superintendent of Angels, who sees the tragedy-in-progress, dispatches Clarence, Angel Second Class, to intervene and persuade George to remain among the living. The rest is a poignant reverie through George's life.
Gaps, inevitably, appear in this abbreviated live radio play adaptation. By confining himself to a broad outline of the story, Palermo has pruned away some of the morememorable scenes. He's also caricatured George. But can't really be faulted for this since his intention, after all, is to make the classic film come alive in a refreshingly novel manner. And as directed by ICharlotte Moore' it ends up being a miniature coup de theatre.
There are several commercials peppered throughout the broadcast which are immensely amusing as well as revealing about the 40s. One commercial promotes Lucky Strike cigarettes endorsed by John Wayne. A more family-friendly commercial pitches the latest breakfast cereal. Although these commercials hardly add anything cerebral, they do amplify the mind-set and perspective on families in the mid-twentieth century.
The acting is natural and all the actors project their voices at just the right pitch.. Though James Stewart is indelibly linked to the part of George Bailey, Max Gordon Moore bringsmuch conviction to his personal interpretation of George. The rest of the cast ——Rory Duffy, Katie Fabel, Kristin Griffith, Ian Holcomb, and Peter Maloney — make a good showing in their multiple roles.
Palermo's adaptation of the holiday classic is no mere trifle. It doesn't go as far as the film, but further than one could hope.
Of course, if seeing this little gem makes you yearn for a reisit with the James Stewart original-- you should have no problem catching a re-run on during ther weeks ahead.
The 2012 production ran at the Irish Rep from 12/05/12 to 12/27/12 The cast featured: Rory Duffy (SFX Artist, Officer Bert, Dr.Campbell, Sam Wainwright, Mr. Welch, Peter Bailey, Sheriff, Randy), Katie Fabel (Mary Hatch Bailey, Mrs. Davis), Kristin Griffith (Ma Bailey, Ma Hatch, Cousin Tilly, Toll Taker, Bank Teller, Janie Bailey, Zuzu Bailey, Impatient Neighbor, Suzie), Ian Holcomb (Announcer, Superintendent of Angels, Uncle Billy, Harry Bailey, Ernie, Nick, Mr. Carter), Peter Maloney (Clarence, Mr. Potter, Pop Bailey, Gower, Martini), Max Gordon Moore (George Bailey). >
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