"It's a Wonderful Life" coming to the island stage

PHOTO BY JAKE LANCASTER Cast of "It's a Wonderful Life" Scores of people are familiar with the classic 1946 Christmas film "It's a Wonderful Life," starring James Stewart and Donna Reed that was directed by Frank Capra. The Theatre Workshop of Nantucket is presenting a special holiday version of the story in the form of "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play," adapted from the screenplay by Joe Landry, who will be on island December 12 to answer questions about his work.

The radio show theme will be directed by Laura Gallagher Byrne. The leading role of George Bailey will be played by Mark Carapezza and George's wife, Mary, will be portrayed by Callie Kever. Playing multiple roles will be Phil Allen, David McCandless and Mary Ann Bartlett. Denese Allen and Mary Smith will be staffing the Foley sound effects table visible to the audience. Music director Robby Behrman will perform the show's background and incidental music, and play festive holiday tunes as the audience arrives.

"There is a holiday spirit the minute you walk in the door," said Gallagher.

For the uninitiated, the story of "It's a Wonderful Life" revolves around George Bailey, his loving wife Mary and their children, who live in a small town called Bedford Falls. Although George has acted selflessly throughout his life, including canceling his plans for college and a trip to Europe to help keep the family's Bailey Building and Loan from going under during the Depression, on Christmas Eve, 1946, George finds himself facing financial ruin and possible arrest. His bank's books come up $8,000 short and the town's residents storm the business demanding their deposits. A bank examiner alleges George has misappropriated the bank's funds.

George's misfortune is all to the delight of the nasty local despot, Henry Potter, who would prefer nothing more than to take over Bedford Falls.

When George realizes his predicament, he wishes he had never been born. The declaration is overheard by wingless angel Clarence Oddbody, who is sent to earth to assist George in seeing his blessings. Clarence shows George what life in Bedford Falls would have been like if, in fact, he had not been born, and in true holiday spirit, Clarence earns his wings and the story ends happily.

"I chose it because I think it's a terrific adaptation of "It's a Wonderful Life," Gallagher said of the radio show version. "I've seen several stage presentations, but I was very taken with the way [Landry] has the actors playing multiple roles and uses the sound effects and the audience. It's a very portable show with minimal set. I was sold, signed, sealed and delivered."

Props include vintage microphones and telephone and sound effects include, a wind machine and crunching corn flakes on a cookie sheet to mimic the sound of footsteps through the snow.

The sound effects system is named after Jack Foley whose intent was to create sounds accompanying the movements of the actors in real time. Foley, who died in 1967, began his Hollywood career during the silent movie era. He worked for Universal Studios for 33 years and perfected the synchronization of such moments as the sound of a slamming door when a character stormed from a room, the clanking of swords during gladiator fights and the sound of rustling cloth.

"For the audience, even though it says radio play, it is so visually interesting as well," said Gallagher. "It's a lot of fun. It's such a great retelling of the story — the best I've seen. The interplay between Robby at the piano, the actors on stage and the sound effects is amazing. I'm very excited. We're having a ball."

"It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Show" opens at The Coffin School at 4 Winter St. with a pre-performance party on Friday, December 5 at 5:45 p.m. at the school, catered by Annye's Whole Foods. Tickets are $35. The first performance begins that night at 7. On December 6 and 7 curtain will be at 4 p.m. On Thursday, December 11 through December 13 and Thursday, December 18 through December 20 performances will begin at 7 p.m. The play lasts approximately one and a half hours. Tickets are available online at theatreworkshop.com or by calling 228-4305.

The reception and question and answer evening with Joe Landry will be at 5:30 p.m. on December 12 with wine and appetizers upstairs at Arnos at 41 Main St. prior to the night's performance at The Coffin School. Tickets for the event are $35 and can be reserved by calling 228-4305. I