Posted: 11/4/26 at 11:30pm
Posted: 11/5/26 at 12:19am
In case anybody forgot this year marks the 80th anniversary of It's A Wonderful Life, and as timeless as it is and as much as everyone knows the movie (especially if you watch it on TV every Christmas Eve), I think this production adds a new unique layer to it. Full disclosure: this is my second time seeing this show as I saw it at Irish Rep last year, but I definitely preferred this production a lot more. Telling this cliché "careful what you wish for" story as a live radio play requires an exaggerated style of acting and singing that won't necessarily be anyone's cup of tea. With that said, its corniness is by design, almost to the point where it becomes sufficiently charming.
To the above poster that said Megan and Andrew (who I was so scared was gonna do the Jimmy Stewart idiolect as George Bailey and thank Clarence he did not) are really carrying this show on their backs, I completely agree but I think it's Leslie Bloome, the live foley artist on the left hand side providing the practical sound effects that's stealing the show for the best. Harry, Titus and Lisa also do a fantastic job at leaning to the multiplicity of the roles a bit more playfully but in the end, all five of them (plus the foley artist) are really committed not only to the bit but to the nostalgia train that is this show.
Creative wise, I thought the costumes and sets by the legendary Santo Loquasto beautifully transport you back to feeling like you were in a live radio station in Rockefeller Center around Christmastime in the 40's and without giving too much away Kenneth Posner's lighting at one point has a really cool moment but I won't spoil it...you gotta see it for yourself
There's only two negatives I have and if anything these are very minor, I do wish the sound design could utilize more of the old timey radio quality and distortion on the microphones. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely there, but I just wish they could narrow the frequency just an extra smidge and add a bit more compression and distortion (and layer the subtle noise & static) to give it that warm nostalgic feeling. The other being something they did at Irish Rep which I hope they would keep for broadway and that was they would incorporate live radio commercials, which was a hysterical highlight and really added to the immersion of being in a live radio audience, here's hoping Jerry Zaks (given the legend that he is) can find a way to add this in during previews
As for that 90 minute run-time, it's short, sweet, and a simple in-and-out that makes for the perfect show to bring your family to if you're looking for an alternative to the Rockettes. But then again between this, Blue Man Group and Now You See Me Live, and A Christmas Carol at PAC, On/Off Broadway is somehow providing so many exciting holiday alternatives than ever before
PS. As far as the snow machine, maybe it’s only a first preview thing but it would be awesome if they keep that when audiences leave the theatre, really adds that early holiday cheer that this show really provides
Updated On: 11/5/26 at 12:19 AM
