IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE

A LIVE RADIO PLAY

It’s A Wonderful Life

A Live Radio Play

Adapted by Philip Grecian.

Based on the film by Frank Capra.

It’s a Wonderful Life is based on the story The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern  

Directed by Toni Schloss

Music Direction by Darylene Hecht

SHOW DATES: December 3 - 6, 2026

LOCATION: Cary Arts Center

ABOUT THE SHOW

The production reimagines the beloved film as a live radio broadcast, filled with nostalgic holiday songs, vintage commercials, and more. As in the classic film, the story follows George Bailey, the kindest man in Bedford Falls who is selfless to a fault: when Bailey begins to question if his good deeds have made a difference in the world, a guardian angel descends to show Bailey precisely how much his kindness has been worth. 

The show runs approximately one hour and 15 minutes, with no intermission. Concessions will be available prior to the start of the show and may be taken into the theatre.

Parking in Downtown Cary is in very high demand in December with many people coming to enjoy the holiday lights! Please allow yourself time to get to the theatre early to find parking and relax!

For the 12:00 Noon show on Saturday, December 5th, please try to arrive prior to 11 am to find parking. Due to the Christmas Tree Lighting and other events at the Downtown Cary Park that day, there will be road closures and increased traffic near the Cary Arts Center.

THIS PRODUCTION IS PRESENTED WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE GREATEST GIFT CORPORATION. PRODUCED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY OF WOODSTOCK, ILLINOIS The Dramatic Publishing Company. 

FULL CAST OF CHARACTERS

P.A. VOICE

CALL-LETTER SINGERS

ANNOUNCER

MR. GOWER

MRS. BAILEY

BERT THE COP

ERNIE BISHOP

MARY HATCH-BAILEY

ZUZU BAILEY

THE BOSS

JOSEPH

CLARENCE ODDBODY

YOUNG GEORGE BAILEY

YOUNG HARRY BAILEY

YOUNG MARY HATCH

YOUNG VIOLET BRICK

TILLY

HENRY F. POTTER

MR. BAILEY

GEORGE BAILEY

JOE

HARRY BAILEY

VIOLET BRICK

SAME WAINWRIGHT

MR. PARTRIDGE

MARTY HATCH

FREDDIE

MICKEY

MAN ON PORCH

UNCLE BILLY

CHAIRMAN

MAN AT BOARD MEETING

ANOTHER MAN AT BOARD MEETING

RUTH DAKIN BAILEY

MRS. HATCH

ED

CHARLIE

TOM

MAN IN BUILDING & LOAN MOB

MRS. THOMPSON

WOMAN IN BUILDING & LOAN MOB

MAN 2 IN BUILDING & LOAN MOB

MRS. DAVIS

POTTER’S SECRETARY

MR. REINEMAN

MR. CARTER

HORTENSE

JANIE BAILEY

PETER BAILEY II

TOMMY BAILEY

MAN AT MARTINI’S RESTAURANT

MARTINI

NICK

MAN ON STREET

OSGOOD

HELEN

MAN 1 NEAR LIBRARY

WOMAN 1 NEAR LIBRARY

MAN 2 NEAR LIBRARY

WOMAN 2 NEAR LIBRARY

SHERIFF

REPORTER

in the radio studio, unseen

in the radio studio

radio announcer

the Bedford Falls Druggist

George Bailey’s mother

a close friend of George’s

cab driver and George’s friend

George’s wife

George’s youngest daughter

a big man in heaven

an angel

George’s guardian angel

George as a boy; he works at Gower’s Drug

Harry as a boy; George saves his life

the little girl who will grow up to marry George

a precocious little girl who likes every boy she sees

the secretary at Bailey Building & Loan

the richest man in the county

George’s father

a man with a wonderful life

owner of a luggage store

George’s brother

likes every man she sees, but has always secretly loved George

George’s wealthy friend who left Bedford Falls

the school principal

Mary’s older brother

Mary’s hopeless date at the dance

a troublemaker

witness to love

George’s befuddled uncle

chairman of the board, Bailey Building & Loan

member of the board

member of the board

Harry’s new wife

Mary’s nosey mother

has an account at Bailey Building & Loan

has an account at Bailey Building & Loan

has an account at Bailey Building & Loan

has an account at Bailey Building & Loan

has an account at Bailey Building & Loan

has an account at Bailey Building & Loan

has an account at Bailey Building & Loan

has an account at Bailey Building & Loan

office gatekeeper for Henry Potter

collects rents for Henry Potter

a frosty bank examiner

a bank teller

George’s oldest daughter

George’s oldest son

George’s youngest son

a diner

an ebullient Italian restaurateur

a bartender at Martini’s

tells George that the Bailey Building & Loan is no more

a public library employee

a public library employee

a witness

a witness

a witness

a witness

has a warrant for George’s arrest

with the Bedford Falls Courier

PRODUCTION STAFF / CREW

  • Director - Toni Schloss

  • Assistant Director -

  • Stage Manager - Anna Grace Medlin

  • Technical Director - Kevin McIntire

  • Set Designer -

  • Master Carpenter -

  • Costume Designer -

  • Sound Engineer - Jack Kaufmann

  • Lighting Designer -

  • Sound Cue Lab Operator - Betsy Holsopple

  • Light Board Operator - Barbara Corbin

  • Props Master - 

  • Concessions Managers -

  • Producers - Chris Berg, Debra Grannan

  • Graphic Artist - Mary Monahan

  • Playbill Layout -

  • Photography - Charles Ruffin Photography

  • Volunteer Coordinator - Jeri Summer

  • Finance Manager - Sareek Hosein, Bob Grannan

  • Audition Assistance - Debra Grannan,

Interested in joining our volunteer production team for our shows? Check out our Volunteer page or contact us at info@caryplayers.org