Radio Players to stage 'It's a Wonderful Life'

The Improv Playhouse Radio Players, the professional drama troupe of the Libertyville-based theater company, will perform the live staged radio drama “It's A Wonderful Life” over two weekends starting Friday, Dec. 10, in Round Lake Beach and Saturday, Dec. 18, in Libertyville.

“It's a Wonderful Life” is the quintessential holiday tale of George Bailey and an angel who shows this frustrated businessman what life would have been like had he never existed. This is the third year the Improv Playhouse Radio Players have taken this story and set it in a 1940s radio studio complete with commercials and a sound-effects artist.

David Stuart, Improv Playhouse Guy-In-Charge, will be directing and starring in the role of George Bailey.

“This is a story of redemption, where the lead character finds he's at the end of all hope, only to be presented with a new vision on how his life has affected so many,” Stuart said.

Other cast members include veteran character actor Egon Schein of Libertyville as Clarence/Potter, Mt. Prospect resident Debbie Schreiner as Mary, and professional actor and Hainesville resident George Elliot as Superintendent Angel. The cast is rounded out by James Tillman (Winnetka), Marla Jacob (Aurora), Seth Wanta (Chicago) and four young actors playing the child roles.

“Ryan Gold (Vernon Hills) and Victor Sartain (Libertyville) are two terrific young actors who have been in many of our youth productions and are the perfect fit to play Young George,” Stuart said. “We have also cast two wonderful young ladies in Allison Belmont (Wadsworth) and Madison Jaffe-Richter (Highland Park) to play the young female roles including the role of ZuZu.”

Rehearsals for the show have included extensive training for all actors on microphone use, blocking, vocal technique and script handling.

“Radio drama, to be re-enacted accurately, is a far more intricate exercise than people realize,” Stuart said. “Proximity to the microphones, proper use of voice and script is critical to pulling off a polished, intimate and professional show. … It's really very similar to how live radio drama was performed in front of audiences back in the '20s through the '50s.”

The goal is to transport the audience back to the Golden Age of Radio from the moment audience members walk through the doors.

“This is a production that will delight all members of the family, from young to old; it emphasizes the joy of the Christmas holiday in a little over an hour,” Stuart said. “Filled with comedy and drama, the production will leave you with tears of inspiration and laughter.”

For details, call (847) 968-4529 or see improvplayhouse.com.