It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio On-Stage Adaptation
at Nova High School

Reviewed on November 7, 2009

Oren Zadik
david posnack hebrew day school
Submitted for publication to

"Five minutes people; five minutes 'til we're live" announces the stage manager. Five minutes until Nova High School goes back to 1947 to perform a live radio broadcasting of "It's a Wonderful Life." Five minutes 'til the "ON AIR" light turns on and we all become a live studio audience.

Set in a 1940's radio studio, "It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio On-Stage Adaptation" is a throwback to the good ole' times when sound effects meant pouring water in a bucket and a good time was sitting around the kitchen table listening to the radio with the family. This take on Frank Capra's classic film, "It's a Wonderful Life," draws the focus from the usual elements associated with live theater and redirects it on the purity of emotion and connection between the voice-over actors. Still, the story of the benevolent George Bailey of Bedford Falls remains a touching story of self worth and faith in humanity.

Though characterized by minimal tech work, the consistent lighting, few microphones, and no set changes worked effectively and efficiently, going off without a hitch. What would usually be considered an anachronism, the stage featured a sound effects table laden with a motley collection of props to provide a realistic impression of what the actors could not convey with only their voices. As radio was the main focus of the show, the two students working the sound effect props as well as microphone tonality evoked emotions such as the angels in heaven or walking on snow. Even the Walla Group, a large ensemble, added background chatter when needed, providing an integral element enhancing the show.

Though some did not possess classic radio voices, most actors were able to portray a connection in the way they conversed with each other. Standing out from the cast, George Bailey (Richard Heyne) seemed to internalize his character displaying emotion that came from within as well as timing that punctuated every joke and intensified every moment. Also possessing this superb timing and deep understanding were Mary Bailey, Young George and Young Mary played by Emily Cohn, Cody Brinson and Laura Blaine respectively.

Bringing a different aspect to the show, Clara Oddbody, Angel Second Class; played by Andrea Gordillo; embodied an old angel sent to earth in order to save George from himself. Her silly antics and mannerisms came across every time she took the stage. Angel Superintendent, Erica Kates, juggled both a lead role and stage manner with great audience response. Similarly, Mr. Potter (Jarred Moore) played three roles, each with a believable accent and a sincere conviction that enhanced the show.

If the believable studio and time appropriate costumes weren't enough to take you to the 40's, closing your eyes and listening to Nova Lux Radio made for a first-rate evening. The tear-jerking tale and thought provoking story proved Nova High School's production to be a memorable, enjoyable and unique experience.

Jessica Kent
Olympic Heights High School
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Comical radio jingles, a complete foley sound station, and applause cues conspired in Nova High School's solid production of "It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio On-Stage Adaptation". Although most are familiar with this classic holiday tale through Frank Capra's film version, Tony Palermo's adaptation and Nova High School's production were nothing short of original and heartfelt.

Presented in the style of a live 1940's radio show, "It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio On-Stage Adaptation", tells the story of George Bailey, a businessman in a small town, contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve. When his guardian angel second class, Clara, interferes to earn her wings, however, George is presented with what life would have been without him, and realizes that he truly has led a wonderful life.

Nova High School's production of this intricate and passionate show was made possible as a result of a true commitment and passion displayed by all the actors involved. The cast of over forty students worked extremely well together, helping to convey the touching themes represented in this on-stage radio adaptation.

Leading the cast, Richard Heyne as George Bailey was truly committed to his conflicted character. Heyne's physicalities and character development were notable. As young George, Cody Brinson gave a passionate performance. His chemistry with Laura Blaine, playing young Mary, was truly exceptional. As George's guardian angel, Clara Oddbody, Andrea Gordilla provided much needed comedic relief throughout the duration of the production. Her hilarious antics were well matched by her intuitive timing.

As Ma Bailey, Bonnie Horenstein's infectious enthusiasm was almost palpable. Also noteworthy was Mr. Potter, played by Jared Moore. Moore gave an exceptional performance. His vocal inflections and clear diction added to the understanding of the concept of producing a radio show. Supporting standouts included Erica Kates (Superintendent) and Marlee Abbott (Announcer).

Technically, this show was extremely appealing. The level of difficulty was high as a result of the use of foley artists. For the most part, sound and effects were executed creatively and efficiently. Minor problems sometimes included lack of energy and enthusiasm among cast members. At other times, there was slight confusion regarding the modernity and antiquity of a 1940's radio show representation.

Overall, Nova High School's production of "It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio On-Stage Adaptation" was thought-provoking and poignant. It incorporated a spin on a classic tale and brought into focus the question of one's ability to retain faith and persevere, despite being shaken to the core. In this production "happiness is not just under the rainbow, but right under your nose."

Briana Rittersporn
Coral Springs High School
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Take a step back in time to the 1940's, where the everyday family room is not equipped with a flat-screen television, but, instead, the newest radio on the market...when voices instead of faces entertained the masses. At Nova High School's production of "It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio On-Stage Adaptation", the audience was invited to travel back in time as the live audience of a 1940's radio show.

Adapted for radio-on-stage by Tony Palermo, "It's a Wonderful Life" was originally a 1946 film produced and directed by Frank Capra, based on "The Greatest Gift", a short story written by Philip Van Doren Stern. In this "radio-show-within-a-play" adaptation, the radio show follows George Bailey, a man intent on committing suicide on Christmas Eve. His guardian angel, Clara Oddbody, is sent forth to save George from killing himself, by having him review his life through a series of flashbacks to find out the value of life and why he shouldn't take his own.

The cast as a whole did a commendable job of maintaining the authenticity of a 1940's radio show. Costumes were aesthetically pleasing and appropriate for the time period, and the actors maintained the integrity of radio personalities, taking on-stage cues from stage managers and creating different voice qualities for the many characters they portrayed.

Richard Heyne (George Bailey) and Jared Moore (Mr.Potter) demonstrated a thoughtful connection to their characters. Heyne infused emotion into his line delivery, making clear distinctions between happy and sad moments. Moore took on a memorable snobbish character with his consistent use of accents and concise articulation.

Andrea Gordillo (Clara Oddbody) used not only different tones to manipulate the emotions of her character, she also used her face and body to portray the emotions her lines conveyed. Laura Blaine (Young Mary) had a sweet and light yet audible quality in her line delivery, which aided in the characterization of a young lover of the 1940's.

The Walla Group, or, on-stage "audience" that was meant to be the background noise of the show, had an interesting job of "mumbling" on the cue of a conductor, much like an audience claps wildly on the cue of an applause sign. The affect was appropriate and worked with the radio atmosphere of the production. At times, some members of the ensemble appeared disconnected from the action on stage, which detracted from the overall ambiance of the show.

The set, a representation of a radio station, was basic but functional. The sound was original and unique due to the use of everyday objects to create the sound affects as would have been done on a real radio show. For example, a box was slammed for the sound of a door closing, and boots were tapped on a wooden board to compose footsteps.

This new spin of a production was a deviation from traditional theatre that provided a new experience for the audience at Nova High School's production of "It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio On-Stage Adaptation".

Austin Powers
Boca Raton High School
Submitted for publication to

Nova High School's recent production of the now-classic film It's A Wonderful Life, adapted for radio-on-stage by Tony Palermo, kept the authentic emotional arc of the beloved movie while presenting the story in (by modern standards) an unconventional way -- a radio play version, performed live on-air and for a studio audience.

The production opened with radio actors on-stage, preparing for their own performance of "It's A Wonderful Life". Erica Kates, as production coordinator for the radio show, spoke directly to the "studio audience" in the theatre and explained the format. Once underway, it was easy to forget the "play-within-a-play" format and become engrossed in the tale of George Bailey -- a dreamer in his youth, but perpetually sacrificing his personal interests to help others around him.

When, after a lifetime of helping others by giving up his own dream, George faces potential financial ruin and business scandal following a misplaced $8000 sum, he realizes that he is "worth more dead than alive". An angel second class, named Clara, is sent to intervene as he contemplates suicide. She takes George on a nightmarish journey into an alternate universe where he never existed, showing him how his selfless actions have helped many people throughout Bedford Falls. He begs to return to his original life, and once there realizes that "no man is a failure who has friends."

Cody Brinson as Young George showed great emotional range as his far-reaching dreams were perpetually crushed. Bonnie Horenstein was extremely authentic as the Irish Ma Bailey. Laura Blaine as Young Mary Hatch, George's love interest, showcased excellent characterization combining a quick pace and soft spoken 1940's quality. Angel Clara (Andrea Gordillo) was hilarious at times, while George's Uncle Billy (Devin Wallace) and the other employees of the Bailey Building & Loan company provided comic relief. Numerous other talents lent their unique voices to a host of varied radio-appropriate characters. Jared Moore delighted as the whiny, snobbish, and hilariously evil Mr. Potter; he, along with other members of the cast, played several roles throughout the show.

Radio theatre also demands countless sound effects, and Foley artists Heather Hubbard and Nicole Pezzotti were onstage, in character, to recreate everything from the squeaking of Mr. Potter's wheelchair to the angelic bells of Heaven. Their work was exceptional, especially considering that the students developed many of the improvised sound effects.

Costuming in this production was also notable, and attention was paid to acquiring period costumes in line with the 1948 setting. Other technical departments had little work to do, as the entire cast was onstage for almost the full duration of the show.

There's a reason that the Frank Capra film is shown every Christmas: the story is a full-circle journey of crushed dreams, despair, and renewed belief in one's self. Nearly everyone can identify with George Bailey on some level, and this Nova High School production reminded everyone in the audience that, no matter what their circumstances, it really is a wonderful thing to be alive.

Faren Dalipram
South Plantation High School
Submitted for publication to

Are you worth more dead or alive? This is the question George Bailey sought to answer in the heartwarming 1940's "It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio On-Stage Adaptation" at Nova High School. In this challenging adaptation, actors and actresses portrayed cast and crew members of the Lux Radio station preparing to project a radio performance of Frank Cappa's "It's a Wonderful Life" to a live studio audience and radio listeners.

"It's a Wonderful Life" tells the heartrending story of a young boy forced to repeatedly sacrifice his ambitions for his family and friends in his hometown of Bedford Falls. Right after the Second World War, on Christmas Eve, financial woes cause George Bailey to contemplate suicide. Clara Oddbody, Angel Second Class, is sent to Earth to save him and by doing so, to earn her wings. She shows George the beneficial impact he has had on his friends' and family's lives and, after much persuasion, George realizes he really does have a "wonderful life."

While actors sometimes allowed unsettled nerves and unfamiliarity with the script to hinder their performance, the cast and crew delivered a solid performance, remaining dedicated to their characters' accents and mannerisms for the duration of the show.

Supporting actor Jared Moore portrayed a crotchety Mr. Potter with the temper of a pitiless, wealthy slumlord. His energy pervaded the auditorium and was carried effectively by his powerful voice, painting a clear image of the spiteful character for the audience tuning in on this radio story.

Similarly dedicated to her character was Andrea Gordillo as Clara Oddbody. Gordillo's humorous air never faltered, and her comedic timing was near perfect as she enhanced the energy on stage with her charisma.

The Walla Chorus effectively simulated angry customers, residents of Bedford Falls and eager journalists, on cue with precision. A few performers assumed deadpan stares, while some interacted animatedly with each other. While blocking was not essential to the radio adaptation, director Nina Zakrzewski rose admirably to the occasion and provided visual stimulus for the live studio audience while ensuring the maintenance of vivid voice characterizations.

Violent shades of red lipstick, Shirley Temple curls, and floral printed dresses epitomized women's fashion of the 1940s, and a vast amount of research was reflected in the costume choices of Amy Pinargote and Regine Tertulien. While props, by Nicole Pezotti and Heather Hubbard, and the set recreated the time period with accuracy, detracting slightly from the setting were the modern references to Nova High School's past and upcoming productions. These minor intrusions did not diminish the show's overall success.

Although the selection of this adaptation was challenging, the cast and crew's dedication shone through throughout the duration of the show. Energy, coupled with an accurate portrayal of a 1940's radio studio, Nova High School delivered a solid performance of "It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio On-Stage Adaptation".

Marcus Levine
Coral Springs High School
Submitted for publication to

An angel, a depressed man, and a megalomaniac walk in to a radio theatre. What do you get? Nova High School's laudable production of "It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio On-Stage Adaptation".

Based on Frank Capra's beloved Christmas movie of the same name, "It's a Wonderful Life" centers around George Bailey, a man on the verge of suicide. Just as he is about to end his life, prayers for him reach Heaven and Clara Oddbody, Angel Second Class, is put on the job to save him. This adaptation by Tony Palermo is written to be a play-within-a-play, as the audience observes a mock 1940's radio show of the original "Wonderful Life."

Arguably the most fascinating aspect of this show is the use of authentic 1940s-style sound effects executed by foley artists on stage. Utilizing everything from hand-made buzzers and squeaky hinges to a typewriter and rotary telephone, the foley artists are almost as fun to watch as the actors themselves.

Creating the most believable auditory character on stage is Andrea Gordillo as Clara Oddbody. Her sophisticated, yet sometimes appropriately coarse demeanor was expressed with sincerity through her vocalizations, and being that the production is a theatrical radio show, quality of voice is of the utmost importance.

Unique to this show is the idea that the audience member is not simply an observer, but a participant. Through such conventions as mid-scene advertisements and applause cues from the stage manager, the audience becomes a part of the performance. Due to the nature of the script, there is very little compelling movement on stage, so the show sometimes becomes hard to follow. Some of the most hilarious moments occur during the aforementioned advertisements, featuring all of the ridiculous and exaggerated mannerisms associated with the 1940s.

From a technical standpoint, the show is simple, yet very realistic. The set looks just like a radio theatre might on a cold Christmas, complete with icy windows and wreaths. The lighting and sound is simple, yet effective, and the myriad costumes are all in period style.

In "It's a Wonderful Life," Nova High School took on a challenging endeavor: to create a convincing on-stage radio theatre production to entertain a live audience. While it may not be the most traditional choice for a theatre production, it was certainly produced and performed well.