PANAMA CITY — Just as the movie starring Jimmy Stewart harkens to a simpler time, the stage version presented this weekend at the Martin Theatre is reminiscent of the era when families gathered around the radio for adventures, comedies and musical programs.
You’re probably quite familiar with Frank Capra’s classic film, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” You may have seen a hundred versions of the tale adapted to different times and formats; barely a television series has ever passed a Christmas season without putting its characters through some version of the story.
But you’ve never seen it — or heard it — like this.
“It’s a Wonderful Life: The Live Radio Play” presents the cautionary tale of George Bailey, who gets to see what the world would be like if he had never been born. But it’s presented in the form of six actors at microphones, in front of a live “studio” audience, as if they were creating the show specifically for the radio listeners “at home.”
“If you want to get into the Christmas spirit, then by George Bailey, this will do it,” said Barbara McMinis, the theater’s executive director, who also portrays Violet (“the town vamp”) and Mary Hatch Bailey, George’s angelic wife, in the production.
The rest of the cast includes Mike Stone (as George), Harry Schaefer, Robert Evans, Ed Gore, Jane Shephard, Diney Radcliff and Meda Arbour. The actors each play multiple parts; Shephard, for instance, performs the roles of Mother Bailey, the bank inspector, and all of the Bailey kids.
They are joined on stage by two “foley” (or sound effect) artists who produce the noises of closing doors, ringing bells, and so forth. The play even has commercial breaks with vintage advertisements worked into the show.
“It’s a really wonderful, family thing,” McMinis said. “I asked people on opening night, who said they loved the movie and had no idea what to expect, and they said they still cried. As you should! It was there, live, right in front of them. I think it’s charming.”
The show opened Dec. 12. It will encore at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, which is closing night. For details and tickets, visit MartinTheatre.com or call 763-8080.
‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’
- What: Live stage performance in the style of a vintage radio play
- When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
- Where: The Martin Theatre, 409 Harrison Ave., Panama City
- Tickets: $13.75 to $17.50
- Details: MartinTheatre.com or 763-8080