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‘Wonderful Life’ @ Theatrical Outfit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THEATER REVIEW. Grade: B
Theatrical Outfit’s “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” is a happy reminder that even the most familiar tales can be reborn through the magical suggestiveness of an old medium.
New to Atlanta’s bountiful assortment of holiday entertainment, playwright Joe Landry’s spin on the Frank Capra classic invests the cautionary tale of George Bailey with the shake, rattle and hum of a ’40s-era radio playhouse.
While an “applause” sign blinks above the stage, director Susan Reid’s five nimble players re-create the assorted denizens of Bedford Falls, who are so drawn from the cookie-cutter archetypes of American idealism that even the supernatural visitor comes off as a regular guy.
If you know Capra’s iconic film, you will appreciate the spot-on mimicry of some of the performances: Barry Stoltze’s pitch-perfect appropriation of Lionel Barrymore’s take on town villain Mr. Potter and Hugh Adams’ restrained version of Jimmy Stewart’s velveteen nasality, in particular.
While Adams and Shayne Kohout are required to pretty much stick to the characters of George and his wife, Mary, the other performers get to shade in the rest of the body politic of Bedford Falls — from Italian barkeeper Giussepe Martini (Brik Berkes) to George’s pipsqueak toddler Zuzu (Mary Lynn Owen).
Before the actors get to use the noise-making props of air-wave theater to tell the story of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” they are introduced as the has-been stars of fictional radio station WBFR. Kohout is former Miss Ohio Sally Applewhite, and Owen is Lana Sherwood, a stage diva of such dazzling variety that she’s portrayed both Mother Cabrini and Salome. (Good one.)
But aside from their announced bios and a couple of commercials for soap and hair tonic, these behind-the-scenes voices don’t get a chance to become real characters in their own right — à la “1940s Radio Hour.” And perhaps because there are so many layers to this show-within-a-show-within-a-show, the theatrical whimsy behind the sound effects often feels obscured and understated when it ought to be front and center — and perhaps miked better.
But these minor quibbles are more than redeemed by the delightful grab bag of emotions supplied by the actors, who create personalities who are by turn ruthless, ridiculous, overwrought, schmaltzy and twee.
As announcer Freddie Filmore tells us at the top of the broadcast, “It’s a Wonderful Life” is “a real feel-good heart-warmer.” Yet somehow this sentimental tale of 11th-hour redemption has managed to withstand the test of time: wondrous, featherlight, full of joy.
THE 411: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Also, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 and Dec. 22. Through Dec. 23. $25. Theatrical Outfit, Balzer Theater at Herren’s, 84 Luckie St., Atlanta. 404-528-1500, theatricaloutfit.org
BOTTOM LINE: Delightful spin on a favorite chestnut.
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