Shakespeare & Company Picks “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” for Holidays [Berkshire on Stage]

New and different holiday performances in the Berkshires are relatively scarce as Christmas is usually considered a time for tradition. There is little doubt that we will have our Nutcrackers and Christmas Carols on stage, but this year you can count on something a little different, too.

After several seasons of Santaland Diaries, Shakespeare & Company is planning to offer It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, inspired by Frank Capra’s classic 1946 film starring Donna Reed and James Stewart. Filled with just the right hint of nostalgia and charm, director Jenna Ware brings audiences back to the Golden Age of radio with this poignant, funny and unique play-within-a-play that the company says will leave you believing in angels.

About the Production

Set in a radio studio on a snowy Christmas Eve in 1946, five radio personalities are live, on-air, retelling the American Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, before a studio audience. The five actors (Jonathan Croy, Jennie M. Jadow, David Joseph, Sarah Jeanette Taylor and Ryan Winkles) will play not only the show’s radio actors, but in true ‘Lux Radio Theatre’ fashion, will play all 50 roles from It’s a Wonderful Life. The show will also include radio jingles, live sound effects and favorite Christmas songs, sure to warm the hearts of audiences, both young and old.

Click to read the rest at Berkshire on Stage.