Little Theatre To Perform ‘Wonderful’ Radio Play

Greenwood Little Theatre’s next production, “It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play,” is an aptly timed story of hope for the Christmas season. 

The play will be performed at the Davis Elementary School Auditorium from Thursday through next Saturday at 7 p.m.,  and there will be a matinee next Sunday at 2 p.m. A condensed show will also be performed to coincide with Davis Elementary’s Christmas program on Thursday at 2 p.m. This show will be free for the students and their parents.  

“It’s a good production for people who don’t think they matter,” said J.T. Hurst, who is running some of the lights and also plays the main character, George Bailey. 

“George asks to give up and be taken out of the world, because he doesn’t realize how much he matters to everybody else,” Hurst said. 

“It’s a Wonderful Life” follows George Bailey as he inherits his father’s business and falls upon monetary hardship. He becomes depressed and contemplates taking his own life, and the story follows what would happen in a world without him. 

The 1946 film version of the story, starring Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey, has become an American holiday classic.

Dezarae Leto, who is directing her first GLT production, said the play will provide a little break in a time of  stress in the community. “I really wanted to do this show because I felt like there needed to be joy in the holiday season. I wanted to have a place where people could come and it feel like Christmas, at least for an hour or so,” she said. 

Jana Dees, a 12-year-old who is the understudy for young Mary — George Bailey’s future wife — and plays Janie Bailey, George’s daughter, described the production as a good story with a good point. 

“It’s like, don’t give your life away because you don’t think it’s a good life because you’ve influenced people. Don’t let your mind tell you you’re worthless when you’re not,” she said.  

The show also serves as a nod to traditional Christmas values. 

“People my age look forward to seeing this movie every year. It’s about tradition and community. Everyone’s life matters,” said Michele Hale, who plays Irene Bailey, George Bailey’s mom, as well as a bartender and bouncer. 

“The show meets people’s expectations,” Leto said. “It’s familiar, homey, heartwarming and nostalgic. It makes them come back to what matters and makes you reflect on life and how you matter in other people’s lives.” 

One line by George Bailey, “I want to do something big and important,” underscores the point of the play. Every action, the play reveals, is big and important. 

Alyssa Tharpe, a ninth grader from Leflore Christian School who is an understudy for the part of Clarence, a guardian angel,  summed it up best. 

“If it wasn’t for George, Bedford Falls would be completely opposite. So many people have a good life because of him. One man’s life changes so many others.” 

Tickets to the performance are $20 for adults, $10 for students.They can be reserved at www.greenwoodlittletheatre.com.