“It’s A Wonderful Life ( A Live Radio Play)” reviewed by Edie Reese

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ****  Before the advent of television one of the most popular forms of entertainment during the 1920’s through the 1940’s was live radio. All sorts of plays were adapted for this medium, and families would gather around the radio to listen to dramas and comedies broadcast over the airwaves. Now imagine that you were lucky enough to become part of a studio audience for such a show. You would get to see the actors up close. You would get to see how the Foley artist made all of the sound effects. Such is the premise of the Oil Lamp Theater’s premier production for this season, “It’s A Wonderful Life (A Live Radio Play)”. This production, adapted by Joe Landry, is an annual event for the Oil Lamp, and also their first presentation post-pandemic.

Entering the lobby of the intimate space is like entering the living room of an antique-collecting aunt or uncle. The homey-yet-charming décor features festive holiday boughs, lights and ornaments. New this year is the establishment’s refurbished bar and liquor license. Patrons may purchase beverages of their choice. (During the run of this show there is free hot chocolate, as well as the ever-present free homemade cookies.) There are two non-gender specific restrooms which are kept pristine despite nearly constant use.

The set looks exactly like a 1940’s era radio station: slightly disheveled, with “on-air” and “applause” in the back, old-fashioned boxy mics in the front and a mysterious box filled with random objects for Foley (sound effects) on a platform in the back. Half the fun of watching the show is seeing how Foley artist Jo Hoch creates all of the sound effects, from breaking glass to windstorms.

The six other actors are introduced as “on air personalities” with stage names that sound like they were plucked out of a 40’s era casting agency. (Freddie Fillmore and Lana Sherwood, to name just two.) These six actors play ALL of the parts in the story about George Bailey, the selfless resident of the fictional town of Bedford Falls who contemplates ending it all on Christmas Eve when his guardian angel, Clarence, is sent to convince him that life is worth living (and that Clarence will perhaps earn his wings after a 242 year wait.) Particularly memorable are Tim Kough (Harry “Jazzbo” Heywood) as the deliciously mean Mr. Potter and the bumbling but earnest Clarence. Julian R. Diaz (Freddie Fillmore) is effusive as The Announcer. When he’s paired with Kough, playing George Bailey’s sons, these two grown men are the picture of little-boy obnoxiousness. Noelle Klyce (Lana Sherwood) adeptly takes on most of the female roles in the show, from the “siren” Violet Brick to George Bailey’s mother, Ruth, to the adorable Zuzu. She does a hilarious turn as Mary Hatch’s busybody mother. Ryan Huemmer (Jake Laurents) and Mary Margaret McCormack (Sally Applewhite) are a pleasure to watch as George Bailey and Mary Hatch. McCormack has a few solos in this show, which puts her fine voice on display. Colin Jones (Bud Collyer) rounds out the cast in a variety of roles including Peter, George Bailey’s father, Uncle Bill Bailey and Ernie, a cab driver.

Just like on a “real” 1940’s radio show, the stars are expected to sell products during commercial breaks. The “jingles” for these products (hair cream, soap and the like) are set to the music of Christmas carols, which make them even funnier. The cast does a superb job with no musical accompaniment and limited space in which to dance. I have never been so merrily informed that a certain brand of bar soap will remove bugs from my car windshield. Audience members can also fill out forms before the show to send “radiograms” which will be read “on air” by the announcer during the show. Is someone in your party celebrating a special occasion? This may be a perfect way to wish that person a happy birthday (or anniversary). Kudos to Costume Designer Kristina Walter for finding/designing the 40’s era costumes, including back-seamed stockings for the ladies and short, wide neckties for the men. Director and Artistic Director Stephen Smith deserves credit for gracefully blocking the cast in this small space. Other technical staff contributing to the production are Jojo Wallenberg (Stage Manager) and Nick Chamernik (Lighting Designer).

The show runs now through December 30 at the Oil Lamp Theater 1723 Glenview Road, Glenview IL, with ticket prices of $45 for adults, $28 for students and $35 for groups of ten or more. Tickets may be purchased online at info@oillamptheater.org or by calling the box office at (847)834-0738. Audience members must either be fully vaccinated (showing proof of vaccination and ID) or be able to show results of a negative COVID 19 test. Masks are required to be worn at all times in the theater building, regardless of vaccination status.
Show dates and times are as follows:
Sunday, November 28, 2021 3pm
Thursday, December 2, 2021 8 pm
Friday, December 3, 2021 8 pm
Saturday, December 4, 2021 3pm and 8 pm
Sunday, December 5, 2021 3 pm
Thursday, December 9, 2021 8 pm
Friday, December 10, 2021 8 pm
Saturday, December 11, 2021 3 pm and 8 pm
Sunday, December 12, 2021 3 pm and 8 pm
Tuesday, December 14, 2021 8 pm
Wednesday, December 15, 2021 8 pm
Thursday, December 16, 2021 8 pm
Friday, December 17, 2021 8 pm
Saturday, December 18, 2021 3 pm and 8 pm
Sunday, December 19, 2021 3 pm and 8 pm
Tuesday, December 21, 2021 8 pm
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 8 pm
Thursday, December 23, 2021 8 pm
Sunday, December 26, 2021 3 pm and 8 pm
Tuesday, December 28, 2021 8 pm
Wednesday, December 29, 2021 8 pm
Thursday, December 30, 2021 8 pm

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “It’s A Wonderful Life (A Live Radio Play)”

Oil Lamp Theater has just announced the remainder of its 2021-2022 season. The next play will be a musical, “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” with book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music by Jimmy Roberts. That show is scheduled to open January 14, 2022. Other shows in the season lineup include Now and Then, Never the Bridesmaid, Failure: A Love Story, and Frankenstein. The radio version of It’s a Wonderful Life will return in December of 2022. For more info, visit www.oillamptheatre.org