WHAT: It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
WHERE: New Hampshire Theatre Project
BLURB: A Classic in new, colorful wrappings
HIGH POINT: Excellent Performances All!
Note: This is the last weekend run. Get there.
This one has alllllll the feels.
Sure, who hasn't seen the film version of "It's a Wonderful Life," with Jimmy Stewart, a classic, and holiday staple. This is that, but not. It's certainly a delight for those who still love that version. But it's also a true holiday gift for the many who are just tired of the repeat reel, but still love the sentiment.
The "Live Radio" version is the same story, and same characters, but told in a new and interesting manner, that keeps it familiar but makes it fresh.
For the few who may not have seen this, Christmas actually plays a small part. The crux of the tale is George Bailey, a man that has consistently done the right thing for everyone around him at the cost of his own dreams.
It all comes crashing down during the Christmas season. Through no doing of his own, George finds himself facing prison and the loss of all he loves, leaving him to think he and everyone else would be better off if he simply were not alive.
To the rescue, Clarence, an angel working towards earning his wings, sent to help George find a reason to live, and to understand the worth of his life.
The show is set in a 1940s radio station where five actors and a foley artist create the voices and sounds of more than three-dozen people, supported by the stagehand.
There's no big set, or large movement, just a group of performers, who apparently enjoy one another's company, delivering a tale with a myriad of voices.
This format's delight is your own mind, which takes all the pieces expertly delivered by the cast, and creates the world as the story unfolds.
The performers are Bill Humphreys, Genevieve Aichele, Todd Hunter, Kathleen Somssich and David Kaye, with CJ Lewis providing all the sound effects and music, and Brennan Donnell handling tech.
Aichele, Hunter, Humprheys and Somssich effortlessly move between grumpy old men, sweet little kids, an angry mob and the main characters. This conceit is a major player in the production's interest. It's a peek behind the curtain as you watch magic made.
Sure, it's not fireworks, instead it's great storytelling with a show and a tale well melded. There's something truly captivating about watching them as they morph between characters, ages and genders bringing it all to life.
And speaking of magic, Kaye's delivery of George Bailey is truly memorable. Close your eyes and it will summon the film, open them and watch the performance of an incredible actor.
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