Beginning Nov. 27, Hedgerow Theatre Company celebrates the holiday season with a re-imagined presentation of Frank Capra’s beloved classic, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play by award-winning playwright Joe Landry, an adaptation of Frank Capra’s 1946 film It’s a Wonderful Life based on the story The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern.
Christopher Patrick Mullen on the Hedgerow stage in last year’s “A Christmas Carol Comedy”.
Audiences will enjoy a fresh take on George Bailey’s uplifting journey through this unique, immersive production where the heartwarming story is performed by actors portraying multiple roles and playing music and live sound effects on stage. Directed by Pete Pryor, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play features stage and screen actors Mary Lee Bednarek, Tyler Elliott, Kennedy McAlister, Christopher Patrick Mullen, and Brian Anthony Wilson. The production is set to run from Nov. 27 to Dec. 29, with 25 performances presented in Hedgerow’s 100-seat theatre, housed in an atmospheric 19th-century grist mill.
The story of It’s A Wonderful Life has become a staple of the holiday season: Bedford Falls resident George Bailey is consumed with doubt when his family business is confronted with financial problems. Just when he’s lost all hope, an angel appears before Bailey to show him how the lives of those he loves would change if he were never around. In It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, however, playwright Joe Landry turns the iconic 1946 holiday film into a captivating experience for audiences looking to experience a timeless classic or those discovering George Bailey’s journey for the first time.
The play follows a crew from a local radio station performing It’s A Wonderful Life on the air in the 1940s. The cast appears as radio performers, with each actor playing several roles, convincingly bringing their characters to life as they perform into microphones while using various props to create inventive sound effects. It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play also features musical interludes, with the cast performing holiday tunes reinterpreted as advertisements and radio bumpers. The play features the musical stylings of Ryan Holmes on piano, with an additional live foley soundtrack designed by Emma Gibson and performed by Tyler Elliott.
The production reunites actors Christopher Patrick Mullen (Jake Laurents) and Brian Anthony Wilson (Harry “Jazzbo” Heywood) with director Pete Pryor after previously collaborating in Hedgerow’s acclaimed 2022 sell-out production of A Christmas Carol Comedy. Joining this stellar cast are Mary Lee Bednarek as Sally Applewhite and Mary Hatch, Kennedy McAlister as Lana Sherwood, and Tyler Elliott as Freddie Gilmore. With this talented team, Hedgerow seeks to capture the timeless spirit of hope, resilience, and community of Capra’s classic tale.
This play is a love letter to It’s A Wonderful Life. During the holidays, the film remains a tradition for so many families and is infused with all the joy, moxie, and verve of that bygone era. The entire cast is fantastic, but I am also thrilled to create holiday mayhem with Christopher Patrick Mullen and Brian Anthony Wilson again. Getting to spend this time of year with my dear friends while rehearsing this wonderful play is truly a gift. I cannot wait to share this festive treat with our audiences at Hedgerow Theatre. – Director Pete Pryor
TICKET INFORMATION
Hedgerow’s presentation of It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play begins with a preview performance on Wednesday, Nov. 27, at 7 p.m. The production officially opens on Friday, Nov. 29, at 7 p.m., which includes a special post-show reception. Performances run through Sunday, Dec. 29.
The theatre also hosts ancillary events to further welcome audiences into its space. On December 5, 12, and 19, patrons can enjoy special Winter Warmer Receptions, a pre-show engagement where guests can enjoy drinks and light bites with live music provided by Hedgerow. The December 12 reception is also a PRIDE Night for LGBTQIA+ audiences.
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Radio Play is recommended for audiences of all ages and has an approximate runtime of 90 minutes with no intermission. Single tickets are available for purchase online or call 610-565-4211.
Open-caption performances are available from Thursday, Dec. 12, to Sunday, Dec. 15, and feature a monitor that displays the spoken dialogue and descriptions of sound effects of a performance live. For visibility, Hedgerow recommends choosing seats in rows E through H, seats one to four, for the best view of the screen and stage.
Relaxed Performance on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m., with a sensory tour and pre-show notes at 1:15 p.m.