By Channing Whitaker | Staff Writer

Adapted by Joe Landry and directed by Angie Higgins, Broadway West Theatre Company put on the classic American holiday play, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

The story involves despairing George Bailey who is on the verge of bankruptcy in the small town of Bedford Falls on one fateful Christmas Eve. Falling asleep later in the evening,  an angel is his dreams come to him and shows him how horrible life would have been if George was never born. At the end of his dream, the angel explains to him that being able to live a long life is truly a great gift.

The twist on how “It’s a Wonderful Life” was delivered was it took  place at a live 1940s radio station were the actors and actresses play radio workers who try to narrate a story for an audience. The actors use their different voices to play different characters and help the audience picture the setting and story. Instead of having one person playing each part, the actors and actresses had to do many script changes for their many different characters throughout the play.

On the other hand, the first half of the play caused viewers to become very confused. For example, when all of the actors and actresses who played radio workers introduced themselves playing many different roles, it became very hard to keep track of who was playing which parts of the story. Also, when the actors and actresses were changing parts in the middle of scenes, it was hard to tell whether they actually changed characters or if they were being the previous character but, with a different tone in their voice.

After the intermission, the characters who were playing several roles in the radio broadcast did a great job of changing their characters with their voices when they needed to. The actors and actresses did a great job of painting a beautiful picture of the story they were telling. In addition, the sound effects of background noise made the settings in every scene feel like watching a movie production.

The show “It’s a Wonderful Life” by Broadway West Theatre Company is an absolute must-see play for all ages due to its unique and creative way of presenting the story. Shows after Thanksgiving weekend run through December 13. For more information, visit www.broadwaywest.org.