Review: 'It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play' at MTC

NORWALK, CT - Music Theatre of Connecticut is presenting a live-stream of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE A Live Radio Play, the third show of MTC’s 34th season. The live presentation is presented on the MTC stage on Westport Avenue in Norwalk and runs through Dec. 20, 2020.

For me, it was wonderful to see (and hear) the live audience that were in attendance at the actual theatre watching along with the at-home audience; although I have sat in this theatre only once, it almost made me feel like I was there with this small but mighty audience who had traveled to the theatre in Norwalk. We at home could hear them talking before the curtain speech and were able to watch them be dismissed, or “off-boarded” in a specific order by an MTC staff member.

A signature production of MTC for fifteen years, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE was adapted for the stage by Joe Landry from the actual screenplay written by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra and Jo Swerling. It obviously is a radio play version of the well-known film (which, like BACKSTAGE radio host/community theatre actor Eric Lindblom, I have never sat through in its entirety.) I have, however, seen at least two versions of the Live Radio Play version on stage, as well as clips of the iconic film, so I am pretty familiar with the story. Some of Mr. Landry’s current and upcoming projects to watch for include STAGE FRIGHT, THE GREAT GATSBY: A Live Radio Play and HITCHCOCKED!

“As a parable, all of us can relate directly to George Bailey’s journey, as he is truly “everyman” -- facing seemingly insurmountable challenges and life-altering decisions, all the while as someone who is at his core selfless, compassionate, loving and genuinely good.” - Kevin Connors, Director in his program note

The charming MTC Mainstage production features carefully chosen music played on piano by Kevin Connors, who also directed the four Equity actors in a production that he has directed an admirable seven times. Mr. Connors, the Director/Executive Artistic Director and Co-Founder of MTC, won the Connecticut Critics Circle Best Director Award for MTC’s RAGTIME and is the recipient of the Tom Killen Award for Outstanding Contributions to CT Professional Theatre. The actors were dressed in perfect period costumes and sat in their own personal sound booth, decorated in festive holiday garlands and wreaths. There were the requisite ‘On The Air” and “Applause” lighted signs to keep us on track.

All of the acting by this four-person cast is quite remarkable; they not only read their lines for the radio audience, but they perform the actions of their character(s) for those watching in the live/virtual audience, as best they could in their confined space, of course. While it would be certainly possible to just listen to the audio portion of the performance and still enjoy every minute, I would recommend keeping your eyes on the stage/screen to get the full effect of this production.

Elissa DeMaria plays radio performer Sally Applewhite and is therefore charged with doing the voices of every female character in the script. Dressed in a full skirt, hat, gloves and a fur stole, the actress easily slides into a distinct voice for each one; my favorite was the memorable voice for the character of Violet. Ms. DeMaria, who is a teacher at MTC and an alum of Point Park University, writes in her bio that she is “ecstatic to return to the MTC stage to bring joy through theatre during these trying times.” It was a joy to watch her performance.

Jeff Gurner plays the radio announcer Freddie Filmore from stage left; he has appeared in MTC’s RAGTIME, and on Broadway and Off-Broadway including in THE MUSIC MAN at Goodspeed. He got to take the lead on the on-air old-time radio spots. Matt Grasso, who returns to the MTC stage after two ‘long” years, plays the role of Jake Laurents and therefore plays the iconic role of the beloved protagonist George Bailey. Jim Schilling, the managing director/director of the School of Performing Arts, and the co-founder of MTC, plays Harry “Jazzbo” Heywood. In addition to several other parts, this actor takes on the role of the underclass angel Clarence. Mr. Schilling is an adjunct professor at my alma mater, Sacred Heart University, where he was recently nominated Best Director of a Musical for his work on GODSPELL. He was also nominated for a CCC Award for his role as Herr Shultz in CABARET.

The socially distant scenic design was done by Jessie Lizotte with attractive and helpful lighting designed by RJ Romeo; the latter lit up the correct sound booth so that we were not distracted by actors in a dimmed booth awaiting their next lines. Wonderful period costumes were designed by resident costume designer Diane Vanderfroef with wigs designed by Peggi De La Cruz. Kudos to Sound Designer Will Atkin, now in his third season with MTC; the volume bordered on a bit too loud, but I would rather turn down my computer volume than strain to hear the lines. The radio props were gathered by Jack Parrotta, many of which were used by the actors onstage to produce the sound effects, and Equity member Lou Ursone was the stage manager.

The in-person audience was reminded in the curtain speech to keep their masks on throughout their time in the theatre and was encouraged to be part of the performance by laughing, clapping and to feel free to generally react for the at-home audience.

In Person & Live Stream tickets available.
Performances December 10-20; Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm & 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. INFO & TICKETS: https://www.musictheatreofct.com/wonderfullife2020

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.