by Tony Annicone
GAMM Theatre’s holiday production this year is “It’s a Wonderful Life:A Live A Radio Play” adapted by Joe Landry. GAMM’s fourth presentation of this show features seven performers plus a sound effects man to deliver all the lines of all the characters from the film version. This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live radio broadcast right here in Warwick, RI. The audience is transported back in time as a radio audience watching an ensemble of performers bringing dozens of characters to life onstage. The “broadcast” is interspersed with live commercials about Greenwood Credit Union and GAMM Theatre. Before the show there is a sing-a-long with cast members belting out “Jingle Bells” and “12 Days of Christmas” and the Foley Artist doing sound effects for each of the days. Relive the story of the idealistic George Bailey as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. This is a fully realized version of the story originally brought to life by Frank Capra in the movie that starred Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. Directed previously by Damon Kiely and remounted this year by Tony Estrella, who molds these eight talented performers into the iconic characters from the movie perfectly, obtains incredible performances from them and blends the comedy and pathos together to deliver many laughs and tears on their journey. Tony played George in the past three versions of this show. A spontaneous standing ovation is their well-deserved reward at the end of the performance.
Tony brings out the best in these performers as they move from one role to the other seamlessly. Jeff Church commands the stage in the huge role of George Bailey. He captures the warmth of the character as he helps his family and their business over many years. Jeff also finds the comic moments, too, making George into a real-life character that the audience thoroughly admires. He garners the empathy of the audience from his first moment of saving his brother, Harry from an ice-skating accident to the last scene when he realizes that no man is a failure who has friends. I first reviewed Jeff in “The Late Christopher Bean” back in 2010 and from that show to this current show, he delivers the goods in any role he plays. Bravo!
Fred Sullivan Jr. plays several different roles in this show. His standout moments occur with two characters with opposite personalities in the show. He plays the oily, evil villain Mr. Potter who wants to own everyone and everything in town. This old man makes Scrooge look mild in comparison. Fred also plays the naive heavenly angel, Clarence, who is trying to earn his wings after 200 years. He changes his voice as each character splendidly. A multitude of tears flow when Clarence proclaims, “No man is a failure who has friends” and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” completes the sentiments felt by the appreciative audience. You can actually hear the voices of all the characters from the movie in this 90-minute radio play.
The beautiful Lynsey Ford portrays Mary, George’s beloved wife. She captures the essence of the character perfectly and never wavers in her interpretation all night long. Mary supports George in all his endeavors and helps him gather the help of his friends to save himself by the end of the show. When “Auld Lang Syne” is sung by the cast, there isn’t a dry eye in the audience including mine. Lynsey also plays George’s mother, too. Milly Massey plays the WGAM radio host while playing the piano. She also delivers a splendid performance of Zuzu Bailey with a perfect childlike voice that captures your heart. Milly and Emily Turtle are the musical directors for the show.
Rodney Witherspoon II plays Harry Bailey, Nick the bartender and a drunk that Clarence and George run into that runs away from them. He’s heroic when he shows up to help his brother out and menacing when he threatens them and throws them out of the bar when Clarence talks about being an angel. Rodney gives them each their own distinct vocal quality. I last reviewed him in “Ironbound” earlier this year at GAMM. Pretty Helena Tafuri is hilarious as the town flirt Violet Bick who casts her eye on George at the age of 12. Violet proves to be a pretty standup friend for George in his time of crisis. She also plays Janie Bailey, an older woman and several other characters wonderfully, too. Helena’s voice as this older woman has to be seen to be believed. Richard Noble also does an astounding job as he portrays multiple characters including Mr. Martini, Uncle Billy and Joseph Bailey. Rounding out the cast is Will Malloy as the Foley Artist, otherwise known as the sound effects man. Each of the sounds from the movie are created by this man onstage to create an awesome Christmastime show to lift everyone’s spirit up after all the trials and tribulations of the outside world. That includes the war in the Ukraine, the contentious 2022 election and the continued pursuit of justice for January 6th and other pending litigations occurring in the United States. The incredible radio set is Michael McGarty and the gorgeous, authentic 1946 style costumes are by Jessie Darrell Jarbadan. So, for a splendid alternative show to “Christmas Carol”, be sure to catch “It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” at Gamm Theatre to help usher in the holiday season. Tell them Tony sent you. Call them or contact them to get your tickets at www.gammtheatre.org Hurray before the limited run is completely sold out.
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, A RADIO PLAY (9 to 24 December)
GAMM Theater 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI
1(401)723-4266
