Heartfelt and Fun: ‘It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play’

Chicagoland enjoys the magical movie as a radio show, and it’s just as marvelous with live actors.

(L–R) Chase Wheaton-Werle, Carolyn Plurad, Nathaniel Thomas, Rami Halabi, and Halli Morgan star in “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.” Gosia Matuszewska

GLENVIEW, Ill.—It’s not the Frank Capra’s 1946 classic Christmas film, yet watching the same story in a live 1940s’ radio production has all the charm, nostalgia, and Christmas spirit as the original on the silver screen. Joe Landry adapted Capra’s masterpiece into something special and engaging: “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.” The actors’ terrific performances and the audience’s own imagination bring the beloved characters to life so that the audience feels they’re taking part in the show.

Staged in the Oil Lamp Theater in Glenview, a town that recalls the quaint, fictional town of Bedford Falls, the play immediately throws us back to America’s yesteryear.

The Show Begins

Decked out with microphones, red lighting, video projections (and everything else an old-fashioned radio studio would have), the set by Trent Jones features green and red holiday decorations to let you know it’s the holiday season.