Review: IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE Delights Christmas Enthusiasts in Round Rock, TX

Back by popular demand, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE sparkles in the quaint performance space of Old Settler's Hall. Festively located next to Round Rock's "Christmas Towne", IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE provides more of an experience than a traditional retelling of everyone's favorite classic Christmas Story. Adapted from the beloved radio play / broadcast, the Penfold Theatre Company has brought this adaptation back to life, with magical elements the whole family will enjoy. Setting the stage in a quiet and whimsical hall, the audience is transported to 1946 as members of KPNF radio station. Back then family members gathered around the hearth to listen to the classic Christmas cast. For those unfamiliar with this sweet story, see George Bailey (played by Penfold Artistic Director Ryan Crowder), a man who, through fateful circumstances, gave up his dreams of traveling the world for the good of the people in his hometown Bedford Falls. A slew of events catapults Bailey onto a bridge contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve. What happens between his birth and George's contemplation of death, are the subject of the plot. This shines a light on the many struggles of humanity and brings into focus the humility the holiday season harkens from an individual.

Penfold Theatre Company does not simply read this fascinating broadcast on stage for readers to dissect the verbiage. Director Nathan Jerkins encourages playing with the delivery and added elements unique to this production through onstage antics and direction. With the stage set as the KPNF radio station, there are a handful of free standing microphones along with what would be considered a back stage prop desk, decorating the stage with style. This desk is continuously within the show to create sound effects: foot steps, newspapers and literally opening and closing a door. This element brings the magic and transfixes the audience into the show.

The five performers bringing this show to life play far too many parts for a simple description. All cast members garnish highlights in their performance of this original work. Clarence, the clumsy angel sent to rescue George Bailey from himself, is played by Robert L. Berry. Berry's playful and innocent rendition of the angel trying to earn his wings, was sweet and the regular bell chime introduction of the heavenly "catch up" was sweet and a clever way to inform the audience of their heavenly guests. The female ensemble members' (Paige McGhee and Sarah Marie Curry) malleability is admirable and hilarious. Their connection to George (no matter what role was being played), was palpable and hilarious at times. McGhee specifically stood out as a plot driving force, moving the story along with ease. The narrator (played by David R. Jarrott), was the glue holding this abstract radio cast together. His vocal performance was impressive and the connection he made off stage was powerful. Ryan Crowder, playing George Bailey and serving as Penfold Theatre Companies Artistic Director, was perfectly cast. His embodiment and cadence resembles the time period and helps transfix the audience to George's predicament and the magical time from days gone by. Overall, this cast of players worked professionally, making Penfold Theatre Company a company to watch.

This show exposes the uncommon theatre goer to different elements of performance art otherwise unseen, and often under-appreciated. The sound effects performed onstage during the radio production, thoughtful asides? and direct communication within scenes, add to the magical element of what is being performed onstage. This production magnifies the capabilities of a theatre company's responsibility to expose the common theatre goer to varied artistic elements and story telling. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, a classic radio cast, adapted and directed by Nathan Jerkins is a gem this holiday season. Give a gift to yourself and your family this holiday season and catch this unique take on a Christmas classic. After all, the story of George Bailey doesn't mean much unless it is shared and loved by the masses.

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

A CLASSIC RADIOCAST

ADAPTED AND DIRECTED BY NATHAN JERKINS

OLD SETTLERS HALL, NEXT TO ROUND ROCK'S CHRISTMAS TOWNE

PHOTO CREDIT: CHRISTOPHER BLAKE PHOTOGRAPHY

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