Nick Hancock, David Friday, Erin Friday, Trina Vargas and Jesse Sullivan in “It’s a Wonderful Life – a Live Radio Play” by the Americana Theater Company at the Plymouth Center for the Arts (Denise A. Maccaferri photo)
By Jim Dorman
Once again, Americana Theatre Company in Plymouth, presents “It’s A Wonderful Life – a Live Radio Play.” (They perform it every other year.)
The cast is on the air in Studio A at WPLY in Plymouth, and we are the live studio audience watching the actors and sound effects man (the Foley artist) performing their craft. From the moment David Friday as Freddie Filmore, the show’s announcer, introduces the cast, including the delightful children, as their well known radio play actor selves, it is clear from the energy and enthusiasm that we are in for a treat. The look and feel is of Hollywood or New York City in the 1940s when folks gathered round the radio to listen to shows featuring the biggest stars of the era. It’s very easy to imagine how thrilling it must have been to sit in the audience and see them perform live.
Fans of Frank Capra’s 1946 movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” (distributed by RKO Radio Pictures and starring Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore which relentlessly appeared on television during the 1980s due to a copyright error) know the story of George Bailey who grows up dreaming of an adventurous life beyond his boyhood home of Bedford Falls, NY, but instead settles for one in charge of the Bailey Building and Loan Company after his father dies suddenly when he is a young man. Maybe you can relate to the choice of putting family obligations and the welfare of others ahead of your own hopes and ambitions.
Americana performs “It’s a Wonderful Life – a Live Radio Play” (adapted by Joe Landry based on the story “The Greatest Gift” by Philip Van Doren) in the festively warm and intimate main parlor at the Plymouth Center for the Arts. It is a “wonderful” way to see these fine actors perform their craft up close and personal.
Jesse Sullivan, who also directs, plays Jake Laurent/George Bailey. Laurent is the radio actor and Bailey is our lead character whose life we see develop from a young boy until the building and loan and everyone in town’s mortgage is threatened after mean Mr. Potter (David Friday) capitalizes on a mistake made by George’s Uncle Billy (David Friday) causing George to wish he had never been born and thinks about throwing himself off the local bridge into the icy waters below.
Jesse Sullivan’s acting is immaculate, embodying this self assured young man’s journey into a less confident, but compassionate, caring and resourcefully passionate and admirable adult. We see his surprise, outrage, fear and despair in scene after scene, even summoning real tears when Mary (Trina Vargas) doesn’t know and is afraid of George.
Vargas is perfect as George’s inevitable love interest, possessing the star quality the radio play calls for, the chemistry with Sullivan that we crave, and the support that George needs. Vargas and Sullivan’s magnetism smolders during the famous telephone scene. And it’s heartbreaking when we see her as the Mary that never knew George Bailey.
Erin Friday adroitly tackles several roles as actress Lana Sherwood (What a great star name!) including George’s mother Rose Bailey and Mary’s mother (Mrs. Hatch), providing some key comedic and dramatic moments including the aforementioned telephone scene.
Nick Hancock as Harry “Jazzbo” Heywood portrays many characters, but none are as vital as Clarence, the angel seeking his wings. Clarence descends from Heaven to help George appreciate his life. Hancock captures the right expressions and reactions for each role, even when interacting with himself.
Of course David Friday as Freddie Filmore, our judicious host, is the master of this while portraying a baker’s dozen worth of characters including mean old Mr. Potter, Mr. Gower and Uncle Billy. He often interacts with himself, changing his voice, facial expressions and posture in back and forth confrontations. His tone of voice for each character is quite pleasing. It would work very well on a real radio play.
It wouldn’t be a radio play without sound effects. Johan Woods returns as the Foley Artist, or sound effects professional, who summons up every footstep, thunder clap and telephone ring using his various laid out devices. This is all quite captivating, but he also neatly provides background voices and conversations that fit in well during scenes like the run on the bank. He’s so stealthy, you might wonder who the heck is talking in the background while the other actors are delivering their lines.
And, if our professional adult actors aren’t enough, the children are just as prepared, confident and focused, nailing every cue and facial expression. They seem like little professionals themselves. Macie Potter plays young Mary and Jane. Jude Sullivan is Young George and Pete. Gladys Gonzalez plays Young Violet and Zuzu. And, Max Sullivan is Young Harry and Tommy.
The entire cast regales us with a few jingles during commercial breaks, hyping local sponsors Martini’s (whose name we learn before the show was really inspired by Martini’s Bar in “It’s a Wonderful Life”) and Crystal Lake Garden Shop. It all makes for a wonderful pre-holiday night of local theater. Unfortunately, if you didn’t see it (this years’ last performance was December 14) you can look forward to seeing it again in 2027 “if the creek don’t rise.”
http://www.americanatheater.ohttp://www.americanatheater.orgrgAmericana Theater
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