{"id":106951,"date":"2023-11-22T16:47:47","date_gmt":"2023-11-23T00:47:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/?p=106951"},"modified":"2023-12-05T16:59:55","modified_gmt":"2023-12-06T00:59:55","slug":"pick-asr-theater-delightful-funny-radio-play-of-its-a-wonderful-life-at-rvp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/pick-asr-theater-delightful-funny-radio-play-of-its-a-wonderful-life-at-rvp\/","title":{"rendered":"Pick! ASR Theater ~~ Delightful, Funny Radio Play of \u201cIt\u2019s a Wonderful Life\u201d at RVP"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Woody Weingarten<\/strong><\/p>\n

I may not<\/strong> believe in angels, especially bumbling ones, but I do believe in redemption. It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Show<\/em> fits snugly in that concept.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n

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With at least two major wars raging at the moment, the charming 95-minute throwback is, because it\u2019s mostly cornball, a major relief \u2014 and totally delightful.<\/p>\n

Yes, this buoyant production by the Ross Valley Players \u2014 just like its classic Frank Capra holiday film predecessor starring Jimmy Stewart \u2014 toys with a viewer\u2019s emotions. And because I welcome a good cry, I give the trip into Nostalgia Land four-and-a-half handkerchiefs.<\/p>\n

The heart-warming, intermission-less play still focuses on George Bailey\u2019s tale of love and loss (and, yes, of course, redemption). But this version also emphasizes wacky sound effects that might have been used by a snowbound 1940s radio station.<\/p>\n

That makes the whole enchilada a lot funnier.<\/p>\n

For a good chunk of Joe Landry\u2019s play, Clarence Oddbody, George\u2019s 292-year-old apprentice guardian angel, is more likeable than the guy he\u2019s supposed to help. As anyone who\u2019s ever turned on a TV set anywhere near the winter holidays knows, he\u2019s sent to Earth to rescue George, whose father had willed him the family\u2019s moribund savings-and-loan business.<\/p>\n

For the three people on our planet who don\u2019t yet know the storyline, heed this spoiler alert: Clarence accomplishes his mission by showing George, who\u2019d been champing at the bit to get out of Bedford Falls where he grew up, what the town and his loved ones would have been like had he not been born. And by convincing the suicidal guy to do the right thing, the angel second class also manages to earn his wings because his actions also wrest control of the town from Mr. Potter (a purely evil dude who aims to deconstruct the savings-and-loan).<\/p>\n

If for some demonic reason you\u2019re looking to fault Adrian Elfenbaum\u2019s direction, don\u2019t waste your time \u2014 it\u2019s almost impeccable. Rarely can a theatergoer be confused by rapid switches from one character to another to another all mouthed by a single actor.<\/p>\n

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Loren Nordlund takes a break from tinkering with the piano to voice one of 15 characters he plays. Photo by Robin Jackson.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Outstanding in the five-member ensemble are Evan Held, who flawlessly captures George and each of his changing emotions, and Loren Nordlund, who adeptly plays 15 parts and the piano. But the other three thespians \u2014 Molly Rebekka Benson, Elenor Irene Paul, and Malcolm Rodgers \u2014 are at most a quarter step behind in excellence.<\/p>\n

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Malcolm Rodgers reads from script of <\/em>It\u2019s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Show while Elenor Irene Paul ponders with some sound effects gadgets. Photo by Robin Jackson.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Each actor grabs items from two large tables to concoct sound effects that range from a big tin sheet that becomes a thunderous gong to sundry women\u2019s and men\u2019s shoes that are used to simulate footsteps. The cast\u2019s dexterity not only eliminates the usual need for a Foley artist onstage but adds to the fun of the production by having everybody move hither and yon with fluidity.<\/p>\n

In unison, the quintet twice breaks into the storyline to jointly present comic singing commercials \u2014 for a Brylcreem-like hair product and a soap that can clean bugs off your windshield.<\/p>\n

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Forming a chorus in <\/em>It\u2019s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Show are (from left) Molly Rebekka Benson, Elenor Irene Paul, Malcolm Rodgers, Loren Nordlund, and Evan Held. Photo by Robin Jackson.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Viewers are entertained, from before the radio show begins (via a recording of a vintage Jack Benny radio program) to a post-show sing-along (with audience participation) with the words of poet Robert Burns\u2019 New Year\u2019s Eve standard, \u201cAuld Lang Syne.\u201d Between those two events, sentimental moments are enhanced by lighting designer Jim Cave dimming the environment while costume designer Michael A. Berg ups audience pleasure with his \u201840s outfits that include vests, a bow tie, and silk stockings with seams in the back.<\/p>\n

What also works perfectly is the conceit of the actors\u2019 alternate personas, radio performers holding scripts, a device that helps them cover any lines they may have truly forgotten and could flub. This spin-off from the 1946 film was first performed in 1996 and has had more than 1,000 productions since then.<\/p>\n

Ross Valley Players\u2019 It\u2019s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Show<\/em> at the Barn Theatre in the Marin Art and Garden Center is clearly a holiday presentation, but its upbeat message transcends any calendar dates and should be fully absorbed by all local theatergoers (and, in fact, everyone else in our divided society).<\/p>\n

With apologies to DC Comics and those who hate parallels, I think this Radio Play is a Superplay \u2014 dazzling as a speeding moonshot. See it!<\/p>\n

-30-<\/strong><\/p>\n

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ASR Senior Contributor<\/strong>\u00a0Woody Weingarten has decades of experience writing\u00a0arts and entertainment reviews and features. A member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle, \u00a0he is the \u00a0author of three books,\u00a0The Roving I; Grampy\u00a0and His Fairyzona Playmates<\/i>;\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0Rollercoaster: How a Man Can Survive His Partner\u2019s Breast Cancer. Contact:\u00a0<\/i>voodee@sbcglobal.net\u00a0<\/a>or\u00a0https:\/\/woodyweingarten.com<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<\/i>http:\/\/www.vitalitypress.com\/<\/i><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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Production<\/th>\nIt\u2019s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Book by<\/td>\nJoe Landry<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Directed by<\/td>\nAdrian Elfenbaum<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Producing Company<\/td>\nRoss Valley Players<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Production Dates<\/td>\nThru Dec 17th<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Production Address<\/td>\nRoss Valley Players
\n“The Barn”
\n30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Greenbrae, CA 94904<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Website<\/td>\nwww.rossvalleyplayers.com<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Telephone<\/td>\n415-456-9555 ext. 1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tickets<\/td>\n$20-$35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Reviewer Score<\/td>\nMax in each category is 5\/5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Overall<\/td>\n4.5\/5.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Performance<\/td>\n4.5\/5.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Script<\/td>\n4.5\/5.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stagecraft<\/td>\n4.5\/5.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aisle Seat Review PICK?<\/td>\nYES!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n