Community Church to present 'Wonderful Life' as radio play
As deeply ingrained in American culture as "It's A Wonderful Life" is, there are only so many times you can watch the movie. Now, the Community Church of Rolling Meadows is offering it in an intriguing new way - as an old-fashioned 1940s radio play.
The church is performing the Frank Capra classic in dinner theater format on Saturday, Dec. 5. The dinner begins at 6 p.m. and the play at 7:30 p.m.
With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. Each of the actors takes multiple parts in the drama.
Those attending will enter the town of Bedford Falls in the 1940s with vintage items on loan from the Rolling Meadows Historical Museum. The meal will also be reminiscent of a church dinner of that time period, with pot roast and all the fixings.
Dinner/play tickets are $20 adults; $35 couples. There is limited seating for dinner, and tickets must be bought in advance. Tickets for the play only are $10. Cash, or checks payable to Community Church of Rolling Meadows.
The church is at 2720 Kirchoff Road. Call (847) 255-5510 or visit communitychurchrm.com.
The radio play is adapted by Joe Landry from the screenplay by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra and Jo Swerling. Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.