IT’S A WONERFUL LIFE by Carol Kaufman Segal

            It’s A Wonderful Life is a radio drama that wad presented at Theatre West in Los Angeles, adapted from the 1947 Lux Radio Theater Broadcast, script by Jo Swerling.  For some of us, it was nostalgic, to say the least, and hopefully a lot of fun for all.

            The theater was set up as a radio station preparing to go on the air to present a well-known film, It’s A Wonderful Life (the 1946 movie starred Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed).  Standing by were the actors waiting for their que to begin.

            George Bailey (Tatum Shank) grew up in small-town Bedford Falls.  He had high dreams of leaving to go to college and to see the world.  But when his father dies unexpectantly, he ends up taking over his father’s Building and Loan Company for the sake of his family and to keep wealthy Mr. Potter (Don Moore) from taking over the building in order to get rid of his competition.  George marries the prettiest girl in town, Mary Hatch (Loida Navis) and they now have a family. 

            On Christmas Eve George’s Uncle Billy (James J. Cox) loses $8,000 of the business’s money while on his way to the bank to deposit it.  Unfortunately, it is Mr. Potter who finds it, but never reveals that fact.  George realizes what a terrible predicament he will be in when the loss is discovered missing by the bank examiner.  The business will collapse, he will be sent to jail, and Potter will be able to take over Bedford Falls.  He thinks of his family, his wife and children, and surmises that he will be better off dead. 

            While George is considering his demise, an angel named Clarence (Sara Shearer) is called from heaven to help save him from committing suicide.  He shows George what life would have been like for others had he never existed.  The town of Bedford Falls comes to his rescue and all’s well that ends well for all (except Mr. Potter). 

            It was a lot of fun watching this performance as a radio show, what with mikes, sound effects, advertisements, and lights for applause.  All of the performers added so much life to their characters with their expressions and some movements.  The rest of the cast, who brought the population of Bedford Falls to life, included Jill Jones, Bonnie Kalisher, Maria Kress, Bill Schres, Phillip Sokoloff, and Tammy Taylor.  This radio show was written, adapted, and directed by Matt Johnson. 

            Theatre West is the oldest operating theater company in Los Angeles having been established in 1962.  They are located at 3333 Cahuenga Blvd., West Los Angeles.  To check out their schedule for ongoing and future performances, go online at theatrewest.org, or call (323) 851-7977.