It’s A Wonderful Wife, Right George?
This heartfelt staged radio play of It’s a Wonderful Life was a real collision of decades.
Following all the podcasts plays produced this year due to the Covid pandemic, re-creating a 1940s radio studio on stage was a joy. Having never actually watched the original film, viewing the story with no nostalgia filter, I had to admit that Mary Hatch rocks! She saves the day (twice)! As the first Christmas show back on stage during a long pandemic, I was touched how much the story of Bedford Falls felt like Bloomsburg, this place that really fostered my artistry as a guest for several years, and the meaning we found as a community in this story.
Production History
Merry Christmas George Bailey adapted by James Goode was present at The Alvina Kraus Theatre at the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble
Dates
November 25th – December 27th, 2021
Cast
Sound Effects Operator – A’nie Kirchner
Host, Harry Bailey, Chairman, Ernie, Mr. Welch, Bert – Michael Yerges
Sing-a-long Leader, Quartet, Mrs. Hatch, Tilly, Nicky – Abigail Leffler
Lux Spokesperson, Josephine – Amy Rene Byrne
Clarence Oddbody, AS2 – Andrew Hubatsek
Mr. Carter – Audience Member
Studio Managers – Isabelle Benfield, Elliot Doerschler, Cora Vanderhoof or Emaley Rose
George Bailey – Eric Wunsch
Mary Hatch Bailey – Morgan McKenzie Kauffman
Mr. Gower, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Potter, Mr. Martini – Daniel Roth
Sing-a-long Leader, Quartet, Uncle Billy, Mary’s brother, Bridgekeeper – Thom Sirkot
Quartet, Mrs. Bailey, Hortense – Elizabeth Dowd
Pianists – Aaron Elderidge or Doug Delescavage
Production
Directed by Elizabeth Dowd
Set Design – Aaron White
Costume Design – Thom Sirkot
Lighting Design – Dave Yezefski
Sound Design – Richie Cannaday
Props Design – A’nie Kirchner
Technical Director – Earl Martz
Production Stage Manager – Michael Yerges
Costume Shop Supervisor – Thom Sirkot
Company Stage Manager – A’nie Kirchner
Musical Director – Aaron Eldred