Do you want to start off your holiday season with some nostalgia, fun, and good spirits? LeGacy Presents’ current production of “It’s a Wonderful Life—A Live Radio Play,” based on the Jimmy Stewart movie shown on television every Christmas, is heartwarming, uplifting, original and a very good piece of theater adapted for the stage by Joe Landry. Rather than a fully-acted stage version of that old movie chestnut, the novelty in this production is created by introducing the actors as if they are famous 1940’s-era radio personalities voicing a radio drama of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and you, the live audience, are watching them present the radio broadcast. To enhance this illusion, the actors hold scripts, wave and play to the audience, sit down at the back of the stage when they aren’t speaking, and move around the stage and among the several microphones set up at the front of the set. Adding to the appearance of a live radio broadcast, the set designed by Les Solomon and Michele Nesbit has microphones in stands used by the actors, an assemblage of sound effect implements, and large electric “Applause” signs on each side of the backdrop that are illuminated when the audience is to applaud. One of the most amusing aspects of the radio broadcast conceit is the use, visible and up front on stage, of old-fashioned methods to create sound effects, such as turning the handle on a wheel to sound like wind or crunching corn flakes to sound like walking on snow or hitting a leather strap on a table to sound like a face slap. I’m not quite old enough to have listened to plays performed on radio, but LeGacy’s reenactment made that by-gone experience very real for me. And Michele Nesbit’s wonderful costumes aptly authenticate the 1940s era portrayed on stage, with enhancement by Les Solomon’s creative lighting design and Hunter Reed’s effective sound design. The icing on the proverbial cake is the original mood and transition music composed and played live on piano by the talented Sky Seals. The production greatly benefited from effective and imaginative direction by Sands Hall—she often moved her actors as if they were waltzing around the stage—and the tight, smooth ensemble acting. The seven performers were well-cast and contributed wonderfully to the sometimes sweet, sometimes sad, and often funny dialog and action. The very natural interplay between the actors and with the audience generated the believable effect that I actually was in a live radio audience, watching those on stage broadcasting to the world. With the exception of John Ficarra, as a very convincing George Bailey, the other six actors portray at least two roles. Andie Schaffer (primarily as a warm, loving Mary Hatch Bailey), Paige Cartzdafner and Del Dozier (mainly the “Foley” artists creating the sound effects), and Judy Merrick (who humorously portrays dozens of individuals), juggle their parts, usually using simple props like a hat or shawl to signify various characters. The two other actors, Philip Jacques with his marvelous interpretation of the villainous Mr. Potter, and Bruce Barnard as a sweet, concerned Clarence the angel, excellently changed voices and posture to portray a dizzying number of parts without confusing the audience. Even if you’ve seen the film multiple times, you will find much to enjoy in this radio show adaptation. Like a meal of your favorite comfort food, “It’s a Wonderful Life — The Live Radio Play” will warm your insides and hit the spot. And the holiday season is the perfect time for this kindhearted, charming and delightful show. It plays at the Nevada Theater through December 24th. Hindi Greenberg has only seen the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” one time—and that was enough. Too saccharine for her taste. But LeGacy’s radio play she would see again. It’s much more creative and entertaining.
Know & go WHAT: “It’s A Wonderful Life…A Live Radio Play” WHEN: Friday and Saturday from through Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees Dec. 8, 15, and 22 at 2 p.m., ONE Thursday night show, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. SPECIAL closing matinee Christmas Eve, December 24 at 2 p.m. WHERE: Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad Street, Nevada City TICKETS: $25 in advance, $30 at the door, with special reserved seating available at $35. GENERAL admission tickets available at The Book Seller in Grass Valley, Harmony Books in Nevada City, and ALL tickets available online at www.legacypresents.com or by calling (530) 268 5419. {related_content_uuid}2f15561b-e128-4e7f-b452-13991e7a86fe{/related_content_uuid}