Radio station WBFR, Christmas Eve, 1946. Cast and crew assemble for a live broadcast of It’s a Wonderful Life. As they present this holiday classic “on air,” the audience at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is treated to the familiar story, as well as the interplay of the actors and technician producing the radio drama. Directed by Paul Mullins from an adaptation by Joe Landry, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play opened December 6 and is on stage through December 28. It’s is a heart-warming delight at multiple levels.
The small cast moves swiftly from portraying one character to another, yet the strong storyline is never lost and retains every bit of its emotional punch. The small town of Bedford Falls, N.Y., is again at risk of being taken over by grasping, heartless Mr. Potter (played by RJ Foster, who is also the station announcer, among other roles), and George Bailey (Tony Roach) seems the only person standing between Potter and success. When the situation becomes too dire, the angel Clarence (Andy Paterson) is sent from heaven to show George the way out, reuniting him with his wife Mary (Tiffany Topol), children, and the townspeople who love him. Topol also enacts George and Mary’s newborn babies’ cries with stunning verisimilitude. Tina Stafford’s comedy sense sparkles in a variety of roles, including the vamp Violet, George’s mother, and the Italian saloon-owner and accordionist Mr. Martini. Finally, one of the joys of the radio play setting is seeing the Foley artist at work, creating the sounds of ringing bells, closing doors, wind storms, and broken windows. That part is played by Paul Henry, who also is George’s absent-minded Uncle Billy.
The lighted signs—“Stand By” and “On Air”—add to the realism, and the audience gladly cooperated with the “Applause” cue. But just because you’re in a theater doesn’t mean you’re spared commercial breaks. The cast’s crooning about hair tonic and soap generated considerable audience merriment.
The director smoothly moves the cast from microphone to the sidelines, to the piano, and back and forth, so that even though the lines are mostly delivered by actors standing in front of a mic, the play never loses momentum. The STNJ audience loved it, and you will too!
STNJ productions are hosted at Drew University in Madison, N.J. (easily reachable from NYC by train). For tickets, call the box office at 973-408-5600 or visit the Box Office online.