The story of this beloved American holiday classic movie is reborn as a live 1940s radio broadcast. An ensemble that brings the dozens of characters from the movie to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. Most people know this story. It has been a perennial television favorite for more years than I care to remember. Anne even watched it on TV again earlier this week.

Holiday performances such as this show have always been a staple of local theater. Their popularity with audiences has been a reliable source of monetary support for companies, propping up their bottom line. Never has this been truer than it is this year for our repertoire company. Earlier this season a $2.5M budget shortfall was announced and an emergency fundraising campaign was launched. Last night, as preamble to the evening’s performance the production manager expressed his confidence at making this fundraising goal. Tomorrow, Saint Louis native and actor John Goodman will headline a charity fundraiser.

Last night’s performance was an enjoyable divertissement. Its staging recalled that of old-time radio variety shows like, A Prairie Home Companion. The actor who played George Bailey perfectly imitated Jimmy Stewart’s gravelly voice. If I closed my eyes and just listened to the show, I was transported back to earlier this week, when Anne was watching the movie, and I was listening to it in the next room. But I could not close my eyes. Sitting in the fourth row, this show was all in my face. Its second act was dark and scary and frightened a boy sitting behind us. Then with relief this radio play went to commercial break. These faux ads featured real local sponsors. Sponsors who real goal was support of the arts.