BWW Reviews: A Wonderful Adaptation of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE! A LIVE RADIO PLAY at the Riverside Center

"It's a Wonderful Life" has always been my favorite Christmas movie; if not my favorite movie of all time. As a teacher, History has always been my favorite subject. I combine these two facts because "It's a Wonderful Life! A Live Radio Play," currently being performed at the Riverside Center in Fredericksburg combines my two loves.

Adapted by Joe Landry, it is a play within a play. 1940's radio station WBFR in New York City is producing a Christmas Eve special presentation of the beloved Christmas classic. Seven actors become a cast of dozens in true 1940's radio style. The play sets the scene from the start as it opens with a dark stage and just a spotlight on a 1940's style radio cabinet, as the audience hears the once familiar sound of AM radio signals skipping around the dial.

Director Christopher Noffke creates one of the most visually complex radio shows ever to be seen, as the audience becomes the studio audience at this "live" broadcast. The cast of 7 is constantly moving on Stefannie Smith's impressive tri-level set, bathed in Christmas reds. The 7 actors move seamlessly between the various roles they portray, using just a change in voice, facial expression or a costume piece to create all the parts in the play- even at times carrying on conversations with themselves!

Devon Clark captures the essence of Jimmy Stewart's cadence and style as George Bailey and Amber French is sweet and charming as his wife Mary. Some of the biggest laughs, however, come from Jason J. Michael playing parts ranging from small children to arch villain Mr. Potter and Constance Shofi playing parts as diverse as littlest daughter Zuzu and vamp Violet Bick. Colby LeRoy also has some great moments as the stage manager/ sound man. The cast is rounded out by Elizabeth C. Butler (who has some of the vocal highlights in Christmas songs interspersed in the radio show) and Alan Hoffman who is strong as Harry Bailey, but lacks some of the comedic goofiness needed for Clarence the Angel.

Gaye Law's costumes and Kathryn Moncure's lights also add to the period and atmosphere of WBFR. Producing Artistic Director Patrick A'Hearn continues to make Riverside Center a theatrical presence, embodying the 1940's radio style of developing a talented corral of fine performers- both local talent and those who come again and again from all over the East Coast to make Fredericksburg their second home. While the sound effects booth was spot on; some visual devices such as fake snow seemed a bit out of place for a "radio show."

Even the wait staff seems to have caught the Christmas spirit from this play, as each and everyone seemed to go out of their way to be friendly, courteous and welcoming (I have to give recognition to my servers for the evening Darian and Zachary who kept me entertained even during a rather long intermission due to a large Friday night crowd).

Running through January 4, 2015; "It's a Wonderful Life! A Live Radio Play" is a wonderful family production of a wonderful timeless classic. www.riversidedt.com

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