The Bare Stage Theatre’s production of “It’s A Wonderful Life” was the charming Christmas tale we all needed to see this holiday season. It was exactly what I was hoping for and yet, definitely exceeded my expectations.
It was a very clever rendition.
The cast played renowned actors from the 1940s who were acting out the play on a radio show for us — the radio studio audience — and for the listeners at home. We were encouraged to laugh out loud, gasp at shocking moments and applaud throughout the performance. It was great fun. The “fourth wall” was not present because from the very first moment, we interacted with the cast to enhance the experience for the imagined home audience, listening on the radio.
I don’t remember thinking of the original movie as a comedy, but this staged interpretation as an old-timey radio show lent itself to many opportunities for amusement. My favorite parts were when the storyline took us to a crowded bar scene or the Bailey’s living room full of people. Watching the cast mumble and murmur to create the sound effects of a lively crowd was hysterical. By the end of the show, the audience was mumbling right along with them. The 40s era commercial breaks were equally as funny. Sponsors for the show were a hair tonic and a toilet cake. Humorous jingles for each were put to the tune of familiar Christmas carols and the cast sang them with merry vigor.
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