Displaying items by tag: Jack Hickey

There is something undeniably captivating about witnessing the magic of old-time radio brought to life on stage. In an era long before television dominated living rooms, talented performers relied solely on their voices, sound effects, and the audience's imagination to create entire worlds. What was once a staple of American entertainment has largely become a lost art, making productions like It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play feel especially rare and rewarding. I jumped at the chance to see this beloved holiday classic interpreted through such a unique lens, and part of the joy came from watching a small ensemble of actors seamlessly inhabit multiple characters throughout the evening. Equally fascinating was the foley artistry on display, as everyday objects were transformed into footsteps, slamming doors, storm winds, and countless other sounds before the audience's eyes. The result was not only a tribute to a bygone era of broadcasting but also a celebration of the creativity and craftsmanship that made radio storytelling so memorable.

From the moment audiences enter Citadel Theatre, they are welcomed into the world of WBFR's holiday broadcast complete with illuminated "On Air" signs and flashing applause cues. Rather than waiting for the action to begin, patrons are greeted by performers already bustling about the stage, making final preparations as though a live radio transmission is only moments away. The setting evokes the warmth and nostalgia of a 1940s broadcast studio, complete with four vintage-style microphone stands, a prominently placed sound effects station, and festive holiday touches that create an inviting, cozy atmosphere. Scenic Designer Bob Knuth's richly detailed studio, complemented by Rachel M. Spyniewski's period-perfect costumes and Reiley Duffy's carefully curated properties, fully immerses audiences in the era. Wood-paneled walls, vintage furnishings, and authentic broadcast touches further enhance the illusion of stepping back in time. Before a single line is spoken, viewers feel less like theatergoers and more like guests witnessing a special Christmas Eve radio event.

Joe Landry's inventive stage adaptation of Frank Capra's beloved 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life, famously starring James Stewart and Donna Reed, transports audiences to a 1946 radio studio where a troupe of performers brings George Bailey's story to life. A devoted husband, father, and lifelong resident of Bedford Falls, George has spent years placing the needs of others ahead of his own dreams. Facing a personal crisis on Christmas Eve, he finds himself questioning the value of his life until a visitor from above offers an extraordinary glimpse into what the world might have looked like had he never existed.

Brian Parry in Citadel's It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. Photos by Ralph Durham Photography.

What unfolds is a heartfelt reminder of the profound impact one person can have on family, friends, and an entire community. By framing the story as a live radio broadcast, the production adds an extra layer of charm, inviting audiences to appreciate both the timeless emotional power of George Bailey's journey and the remarkable theatrical ingenuity required to create it in real time.

Director Jack Hickey assembles a remarkably talented ensemble that fully embraces the demands of the live radio play format. What could easily become a gimmick instead serves as one of the production's greatest strengths, as actors effortlessly shift between multiple characters, often changing personalities, accents, ages, and emotional registers in a matter of seconds. The transitions are so fluid that audiences never struggle to distinguish one character from another, despite the intentionally minimalist presentation. Particularly impressive are the moments when performers engage in conversations with themselves, adopting entirely different vocal identities with remarkable clarity and precision. The cast's ability to create such a vivid world using little more than voice, timing, and imagination speaks volumes about both their talent and the enduring power of storytelling.

Leading the company is Brian Parry, known to Chicago audiences for acclaimed portrayals of Willy Loman, King Lear, and Richard Nixon. As radio actor Freddie Filmore, Parry brings an appropriately imposing presence to Mr. Potter while also lending distinctive voices to characters such as Mr. Drucker and Uncle Billy. Jake Harrison Murphy and Rachel J. Jones anchor the evening as radio performers Jake Laurents and Sally Applewhite, seamlessly portraying George and Mary Bailey along with several additional roles. Meanwhile, John Dooley, as Harry “Jazzbo” Haywood, and Cait Kelly, as Lana Sherwood, prove indispensable as they cycle through a seemingly endless roster of supporting characters. Each performer develops distinct vocal patterns and mannerisms that make every role feel fully realized, regardless of stage time.

Caleb Ryan Jones as both the stage manager and foley operator.

Adding another layer of authenticity, Caleb Ryan Jones serves as both radio stage manager and foley artist, generating a steady stream of sound effects that become a source of fascination in their own right. Equally delightful are the vintage-style commercials woven throughout the program. Watching the performers transition from playing George Bailey and the citizens of Bedford Falls to enthusiastically delivering old-fashioned radio advertisements adds even more appeal to the evening while reinforcing the illusion that audiences are witnessing a genuine live broadcast from the 1940s. Under Hickey's assured direction, the entire company works in seamless harmony, transforming a familiar holiday favorite into a lively celebration of theatrical ingenuity and old-fashioned storytelling.

In the end, Citadel Theatre's production is far more than a clever exercise in nostalgia. It is a lovingly crafted reminder of why It's a Wonderful Life has endured for generations. Through sharp performances, inventive sound design, and a genuine affection for both the source material and the golden age of radio, the company transforms a familiar holiday story into an engaging theatrical event. Whether audiences come for the beloved Christmas tale or the rare opportunity to witness the artistry of live radio drama, they are likely to leave with renewed appreciation for both and perhaps a fresh reminder of the lasting impact one life can have on countless others.

Whatever form it takes, It's a Wonderful Life has become an annual Christmas tradition for countless families. Whether revisiting Frank Capra's beloved film starring James Stewart and Donna Reed, attending a theatrical adaptation, or experiencing the story through the lens of a live 1946 radio broadcast, its message remains as timeless as ever and its story every bit as engaging. As someone who can happily revisit all three and still come away wanting more, I suspect fans of the Capra classic who have yet to experience the radio-play version will find this production especially fulfilling.

Recommended.

It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play and is being performed through December 13^th at Citadel Theatre in Lake Forest with a running time of 90 minutes and no intermission. For tickets and/or more show information, click here.

Citadel will be visited by Clarence the Angel and the beleaguered George Bailey from November 13 – December 13, when the company presents IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: THE LIVE RADIO PLAY, based on the perennial favorite holiday film that starred James Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore. When the film premiered in 1946, before the television era, it was a common practice for popular films to be performed as live radio plays, and IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE was performed live on CBS's THE LUX RADIO THEATRE with Stewart and Reed recreating their film roles as George and Mary Bailey on December 23, 1947. This radio play adaptation by playwright Joe Landry not only brings the film's beloved story to the stage, but it also recreates the magic of the heyday of radio dramas. The cast of five will play radio actors who are performing all 50 roles of the "radio play within a play," recreating the tension and excitement of performing live before a studio audience and a nationwide radio audience of millions. Jack Hickey, the former Artistic Director of Oak Park Festival Theatre, who directed Citadel's THE COTTAGE in 2024, will return to Citadel to direct. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY will open on Friday, November 13 after previews on November 11 and 12, and play through December 13.
 
Hickey's stellar cast will be led by Brian Parry, known in Chicago for such iconic roles as Willy Loman, King Lear, and Richard Nixon. Parry has been cast in the equally iconic role of the villainous Mr. Potter, created in the film by Barrymore. Jake and Sally – the radio actors playing George and Mary Bailey  - will be Jake Harrison Murphy (Puck in BrightSide Theatre's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM) and Rachel J. Jones (seen earlier this year in Writers Theatre's LEOPOLDSTADT, and as Juliet in Oak Park Theatre's ROMEO AND JULIET). Parry, along with John Dooley (of Citadel's ADMISSIONS and THE COTTAGE) and Cait Kelly (of POOR BEHAVIOR and CRY IT OUT with Oil Lamp Theatre), will be the radio actors playing all the other characters of the film. Caleb Ryan Jones will create the Foley sound effects and play the radio stage manager. Understudies are Bob Sanders (Freddie/Mr. Potter and others), Zach Kunde (Harry, Jake/George Bailey and others) and Ariel Dooley (Sally/Mary Bailey). The final cast members, it should be noted, will be the Citadel audiences themselves – who will play the studio audience.

The IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE design team that will take audiences back to a radio studio of the 1940's includes Jeff Award winners Bob Knuth (Scenic Design) and Rachel Sypniewski (Costume Design); Joel Zishuk (Lighting Design), Alex Trinh (Sound Design), and Reiley Duffy (Props Design). Also on the production team are Abby Austin (Stage Manager), Jason Clark (Master Carpenter), Adri Andreolas (Scenic Charge), Natalie Barowsky (Stage Crew), and Scott and Ellen Phelps (Production Managers).
 
Flex passes, which can be used in any combinations for any Citadel Main Stage shows, are available for four admissions at $140.00, or three admissions for $115.00 or two admissions for $80.00. Preview flex passes are also available for $45 (two shows), $55 (three shows), or $65 (four shows). Subscriptions and single tickets priced at $50 (plus ticketing. Fees) are on sale at www.citadeltheatre.org. 
 
Citadel Theatre is in residence in the West Campus of the Lake Forest School District at 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. Further information and ticketing is available on the company's website at www.citadeltheatre.org.

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY
Adapted by Joe Landry
Based on the story "The Greatest Gift" by Philip van Doren Stern
Directed by Jack Hickey
Friday, November 13 – Sunday, December 13, 2026
(Previews November 11 and 12 at 7:30 pm)

Thursdays*, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sunday matinees at 3 pm. Wednesday matinees at 1 pm on November 18 and December 2, Saturday matinees at 3 pm on November 28 and December 12. Understudy performance Wednesday, December 2 at 6:30 pm.
* No show on Thursday, November 26 (Thanksgiving Day)
Preview ticket prices $27.15 including ticketing fee. Regular run prices $53.40 including  ticketing fee. Discounts available for groups, seniors and students..
Citadel Theatre, located in the West Campus building of the Lake Forest School District, 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest, IL.
Tickets available online at www.citadeltheatre.org or by phone at 847-735-8554, ext. 1
 
On one fateful Christmas Eve, George Bailey teeters on the edge of despair, until an unexpected visitor reveals the extraordinary impact of his life. The immortal story of the classic film is told as a lively 1940s radio broadcast. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY blends humor, nostalgia and heart into a timeless reminder that the choices we make can change everything.