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It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Onstage Radio Play
Anthony E. Palermo; adapted from the 1946 Frank Capra film
Opening Date:
November 28, 2025
Closing Date:
December 14, 2025
George Bailey encounters despair on Christmas Eve, only to discover through an angel’s intervention how profoundly his life has mattered to his family and community. The beloved holiday story unfolds as an old-fashioned live radio drama with vintage microphones, quick character changes and practical sound effects.
Cast & Crew
CAST
George Bailey — C. W. Bardsher
Mary Bailey — Shelly Harmon
Clarence, Angel Second Class — Don Reece
Superintendent / Mr. Carter — Albert Bostick
Uncle Billy / Nick the Bartender / Night Watchman / Radio Announcer — Barry Thurman
Mr. Potter / Eddy — Neal Risenhoover
Ernie / Martin / Charlie / Jimmy the Raven — K. DerRon Vinson
Mr. Gower / Dr. Campbell / Officer Bert / Harry Bailey — Robert Benton
Pop Bailey / Mr. Welch / Randy / Sheriff — Randall Wing
Violet Bick / Anne / Zuzu Bailey / Mrs. Davis — Chelsea McIntire
Ma Bailey / Cousin Tilly / Janie Bailey / Bank Teller — Shawn Witcher
Mrs. Hatch / Impatient Neighbor / Mrs. Thompson — Kristy Salisbury
CREW
Director — Rhonda Clark
Stage Manager — Jason Blackenridge
Live Sound Effects / Foley — Lola Doolittle
Production Notes
Season 42 holiday production, November 28–December 14, 2025; ten performances over three weekends. Set in a fictional radio station identified as W-C-S-T, with an onstage ensemble playing many voices and Lola Doolittle performing live mechanical Foley effects. CST had previously presented the Palermo radio adaptation in Season 30 (2013). Cast names and credits transcribed from the contemporaneous ensemble graphic; historical notes distinguish this revival from the earlier staging.
Institutional support included Oklahoma Arts Council; National Endowment for the Arts; Inasmuch Foundation; Kirkpatrick Family Fund; Allied Arts Foundation.
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