Before the screen glowed, the magic of Christmas lived in the airwaves. This December, 野狼社区 University's School of Theatre is turning back the dial to 1947, inviting audiences to experience the holiday classic, "It's a Wonderful Life," not as a film, but as a live radio broadcast.
TheatreOCU will bring the beloved American holiday classic, 鈥淚t鈥檚 a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,鈥� to the stage this Dec. 11-14 in the Burg Theatre. Adapted by Joe Landry from the iconic 1946 Frank Capra film, the TheatreOCU production reimagines the story as a captivating live 1940s radio broadcast, complete with live sound effects and commercial breaks.
The quintessential Christmas story follows the life of the idealistic George Bailey, who considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve until an angel intervenes to show him how many lives he has touched. The adaptation is renowned for its inventive staging, utilizing a small ensemble of actors who bring numerous characters to life.
"This adaptation is one of most-produced holiday plays in the U.S. for a reason," said TheatreOCU Artistic Director D. Lance Marsh. "It strips the film down to its essence, focusing on the core themes of love, redemption and the extraordinary value of an ordinary life. It鈥檚 a beautifully intimate way to experience a story everyone knows."
Critics have praised the adaptation for its charm and heart. The Chicago Tribune calls it, 鈥渁 well-loved tale told with style, charm and heart so big it could burst the ribcage of the harshest Grinch.鈥�
鈥淲e are using authentic radio drama techniques,鈥� Marsh added, 鈥渋ncluding the Foley effects. Watching our cast create all the sounds鈥攆rom footsteps in the snow to the clink of glasses鈥攊s almost as much fun as watching the story unfold. It鈥檚 a truly engaging, multi-sensory experience that harkens back to a simpler time of gathering around the radio.鈥�
Tickets are available at or by calling 405-208-5227.
The Burg Theater is in the Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center at NW 24th Street and Blackwelder Avenue. Showtimes are:
- Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m.
- Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m.
- Dec. 13, 2 p.m.
- Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 14, 2 p.m.
Read about OCU's other holiday productions here.
