'It's a Wonderful Life' works as a radio drama

For many people, Christmas isn't Christmas without a viewing of the Jimmy Stewart classic "It's a Wonderful Life."

The story of family man George Bailey, who discovers the value of his life after a series of unfortunate turns of fate, and Clarence, the second class angel who has yet to earn his wings, can bring laughter and tears to the Grinchiest of viewers.

Three Fox Valley productions of "It's a Wonderful Life" as a radio drama feature live shows in Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles, and though the film is the foundation of each play, there are enough differences that each might rate a visit.

"It's a Wonderful Life (A Live Radio Play)," written by Joe Landry, is being produced by Playhouse 38 through the Geneva Park District and is directed by Lisa Pivaronas, who counts herself among the fans of the movie.

"It brings back wonderful memories of my childhood Christmas experience with my family, particularly my father, because we would watch it and cry every time and then decorate the house together," Pivaronas said.

"The fact that our cast is all huge fans of the film really helps to tell this story that is such a known Christmas classic," she added. "We all have the same vision of wanting to have our own unique stamp as this cast but, at the same time, really have the audience relate to the story that they know and love."

The play takes place at a radio station in the 1940s, where a broadcast of "It's a Wonderful Life" is being performed. A cast of nine takes on the task of telling the story by reading all 40 parts, including the sound effects performed by Jim Knapp and Nicole Astra.

The concept has its challenges.

"You definitely want it to be visually interesting to watch because it is being produced in a one-room radio workplace being presented to the studio audience," Pivaronas said.

The production at Fermilab in Batavia is presented by a touring company called WVL Radio Theatre, based in Asheville, North Carolina.

Willie V.R. Repoley is the producing artistic director for the group and also the writer and director of the story that blends the iconic classic with a new treatment.

"We started this adaptation in 2009," Repoley said. "We created this story of a struggling radio station that's trying to perform 'It's a Wonderful Life' and they have an impossible task in front of them, which is to create a full, regular show with only four people. The only way the station can succeed and stay open is for George Bailey to succeed.

"It takes a familiar story and doesn't try to recreate the story - we could never recreate the story - but tries to get the audience a new way to understand it, to jump into it that's fun, and also affecting emotionally," added Repoley.

Adding or subtracting from the familiar movie might be considered close to sacrilege by the faithful fans, he said.

"It's both a concern and an opportunity," said Repoley. "It's like, can we take something so iconic and well known and make something fresh and delightful in a new way?

"I tell the cast not to do the Jimmy Stewart voice," he continued. "He did that perfectly. Our challenge was to figure out what about it worked so well, what was the spirit of those performances, trying to make sure we find our own spiritual connections."

Repoley is confident that audiences will appreciate the fresh take on the show while keeping the iconic scenes of the story intact.

"There's both a joy in hearing familiar lines in a new context and, I hope, surprises in realizing that things can be taken a little differently than they thought in the first place."

Another production of "It's a Wonderful Life Radio Show" opened Nov. 24 at the Steel Beam Theatre in St. Charles. Remaining performances are 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22; 8 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 23 and 30; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24.

Despite the treatments of each of the productions, George Bailey will rise and fall again and be redeemed with the help of his friends, family and a rather ragtag angel,

"I want our audience to walk out of the theater knowing that no matter how important their job is, or their role in life, what they do, no matter how big or small, really matters," said Pivaronas. "There is a little George Bailey inside of all of us."

'It's a Wonderful Life' radio dramas

<b>Playhouse 38</b>When: 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 14-15, and 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16

Where: 321 Stevens St., Suite P, Geneva

Tickets: $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Tickets available at Sunset Community Center and Rec Center.

Details: <a href="http://genevaparks.org">genevaparks.org</a>

<b>Fermilab</b>When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16

Where: Fermilab's Ramsey Auditorium, Kirk Road and Pine Street, Batavia

Tickets: $25, $13 for age 18 and younger

Details: <a href="http://events.fnal.gov">events.fnal.gov</a>

<b>Steel Beam Theatre</b>When: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22; 8 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 23 and 30; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24

Where: 111 W. Main St., St. Charles

Tickets: $28, $25 for ages 62 and older, $23 for students

Details: <a href="http://www.steelbeamtheatre.org/">www.steelbeamtheatre.org/</a> or (630) 587-8721