A 1940s radio studio acts as the launch pad for this holiday classic—but the play doesn’t stay behind microphones. As the broadcast unfolds, the world of Bedford Falls bursts out of the radio itself, shifting fluidly between old-time radio performance, with live foley, to fully staged scenes that bring the story’s most beloved and intimate moments to life. George Bailey, pushed to the edge on Christmas Eve, is visited by a guardian angel who reveals the profound impact of George’s existence on everyone around him.
It’s a celebration of theatrical storytelling—part radio magic, part living drama—built to move audiences from laughter to tears and back again. Praised as “mixed media magic”, “a fast-paced night of theatre” and “a delightful piece of Christmas candy that all ages will enjoy.” — Northern Life/Sudbury.com
Keywords: holidays, classic, Christmas, radio, broadcast, community, students, youths, adaptation
Produced at the Sudbury Theatre Centre, Sudbury ON, December 2016
Genre: Adaptation, Holiday, Family
Acts: 2
Run time: 120 minutes
Suitable for students 16+
Content notes: This play includes mature thematic material consistent with the source story, including a crisis point for the central character (non-graphic). Themes include despair and suicidal ideation (non-graphic), and references to police presence consistent with the narrative; the production incorporates stylized sound effects within a radio-play framework. Advisory: three gunshots are fired during the performance, accompanied by screams.
Cast size: 9 - 11 actors
Male roles: 6
Female roles: 3
Other roles: 2
Casting notes:
Casting Breakdown: 9 Adult Actors (3F, 6M), 2 Youth Actors (1G, 1B), and 1–2 Foley Artists.
This adaptation is built around ensemble doubling within a radio-company framework: the adult ensemble covers multiple supporting characters and townspeople, with live foley integrated into the storytelling (FOLEY moments are indicated in the script, with broader theatrical effects noted as SFX).
Inclusive casting welcomed and encouraged: Producers are invited to reimagine genders, identities, and cultural backgrounds—particularly across the ensemble/radio company—when building an inclusive cast. Pronouns and gendered references can be adjusted in rehearsal as needed.
VIDEO with Production Photos (Eastlink TV 2016) HERE
“It’s a Wonderful Life is a wonderful night of theatre”
— Sudbury News
“Sudbury Theatre Centre stages a classic”
— Sudbury Star