BWW Reviews: Bucks County Playhouse's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY is the perfect show for the holiday season. The show is inspired by the 1946 Frank Capra film IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY was written by Joe Landry. Gordon Greenbergdirects this holiday play, and Lorin Latarro choreographs the show. This play transports its audience back to the 1940s where a live radio broadcast is being performed in front of a live studio audience. The show is complete with the cast performing their own sound effects as well as responsible for their own musical accompaniment. Also, to capture the nostalgia of by gone eras there are ads from the radio's sponsors. The cast at Bucks County Playhouse successfully takes its audience back to 1946, and provides exquisite entertainment.

This group of six actors takes on the difficult assignment of performing a play within a play, and they perform this task exceptionally well. The stage is set with microphones from the 1940s and the company brings to life the story of George Bailey and the people who touched his life. This small cast, performing multiple roles, makes the stage seem as though dozens of different characters inhabit it. This group of actors uses props and multiple microphones to help the audience differentiate between the many roles they play. Overall, everyone involved with this production does a fantastic job bringing to life the story of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE. It is a heartwarming show that is perfect for the holiday season.

Justin Guarini shines as Jake, the radio persona who plays George Bailey. Guarini's performance is complete with the signature Bailey accent. Jill Paice plays Sally the radio personality who plays Mary. The dialogue between Guarini and Paice is touching and the audience truly believes in George's love for Mary. Lauren Molina plays Lana who provides the voices for a variety of characters including George Bailey's mother and his youngest daughter, Zuzu. If you close your eyes while Molina is portraying Zuzu, you will believe there is a young child on stage. Kevin Pariseau takes on the persona of Freddie who serves as the narrator and also the evil Mr. Potter. Pariseau is impressive, especially his ability to play two different characters in one scene. Mark Price plays Butch Popkin. He does a fantastic job of managing the sound effects for the show. Rounding out the cast is Garth Kravits playing the part of Harry who portrays several roles such as Sam Wainwright and little Tommy Bailey. Kravits brings a nostalgic dose of vaudevillian lightheartedness and humor to the show.

Bucks County Playhouse brings the Christmas spirit to their audiences with every performance. As a special holiday treat, those who arrive half an hour early will enjoy a tree lighting ceremony that will help them get into the holiday mood. From beginning to end the show fills the audience with holiday cheer through the spirited retelling of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE as well as classic holiday songs that are preformed throughout the show. The Bucks County Playhouse's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY is a heartwarming gift for the holiday season.

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY plays at the Bucks County Playhouse through December 30. For tickets and information call (215) 862-2121 or visit www.bcptheater.org.

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