Improv Playhouse Theater presents 'It's a Wonderful Life' radio play
After a two year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Libertyville's Improv Playhouse Theatre will be producing immersive, live, staged radio play performances of the Frank Capra holiday film classic "It's a Wonderful Life" with all the trimmings. This is the 75th anniversary year of the holiday favorite.
Presented in a fun and theatrical style, the two-weekend run tells the story of George Bailey who spends his entire life giving up his big dreams for the good of his town. His guardian angel, Clarence, falls to Earth, and shows him how his community, family and friends would turn out if he had never been born.
"This is a story of love, loss and redemption, where the lead character finds he's at the end of all hope on Christmas Eve, only to be presented with a new vision on how his life has affected so many," said David Brian Stuart, Improv Playhouse executive founding producer, who is directing and starring in the role of George Bailey.
This is the ninth year for this Improv Playhouse holiday tradition.
The cast features five nimble actors who take on dozens of roles. Successful professional performers, including SAG-AFTRA actors Stuart as George Bailey (Libertyville); Mia Hirschel as Mary Hatch (Lake Zurich); and Hainesville resident George Elliott as the Superintendent Angel. Veteran character actor Egon Schein from Libertyville as Clarence and Mr. Potter; Sue Kries (Vernon Hills), Steve Plumhoff (Gurnee), Jerry Hirschel (Lake Zurich) and Ted Rafferty (Schaumburg) round out the adult cast, with youngsters from the community splitting the role of Zuzu on alternate dates. Adult actors play some of the child roles.
The production - which takes the quintessential holiday tale of George Bailey and sets it in a 1940s radio studio, complete with commercials and a sound effects artist - has become a staple of the holiday season in Libertyville.
"This is a production that will delight all members of every family, from young to old," says Stuart. "It emphasizes the joy of the holidays, the spirit of kindness, love and forgiveness so needed in our culture, in a little over an hour, plus Nick's Bar will be only serving milk, hot chocolate and cookies."
Performances will be at 8 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 10 and 17; 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 11 and 18; and 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 12 and 19. The production is approximately one hour 15 minutes long.
The Improv Playhouse Theater is at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville.
Presale tickets are $15 for adults and $7.50 students. Tickets at the door are $20 and $10. The radio play is recommended for ages 7 and older. All attendees must remain masked while indoors.
For information and tickets, call (847) 968-4529 or go to improvplayhouse.com.