It’s a Wonderful Life: Live Radio Play in Cambier Park

by Jillian Keith, TNP, Marketing Coordinator

Naples City Council has approved The Naples Players’ (TNP)holiday production of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. Sponsored by Transcend Capital Advisors, this holiday classic will be performed downtown in Cambier Park for two nights only on December 8 and 9, 2023.

It’s Christmas Eve in 1946. An energetic buzz fills the studio as a cast of actors prepare for their performance of It’s a Wonderful Life with a live, listening audience – you!

Described by Chicago Sun-Times as “One of the best holiday shows around. This is a fresh and inventive way of reconnecting with a classic story of love and redemption,” It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is based on the classic 1946 holiday movie with a clever twist: the production is staged as a live radio broadcast. Seven actors will bring more than 40 different characters to life to share the story of George Bailey, a generous and small-town man who has become too downcast and tired to continue living. It will take help from a lovable guardian angel, Clarence, to show George a journey of redemption, proving that “no one is a failure who has friends.”

Sydney Miller

Don’t miss out on the show that The Chicago Tribune stated is, “a well-loved tale told with style, charm and a heart so big it could burst the ribcage of the harshest Grinch.” and called, “a fresh theatrical context that creates just the right kind of retro warmth. If you cry every time you see the movie, you’ll beblubbering away right on cue… Guaranteed.”

Executive Artistic Director and Director Bryce Alexander is joined by the following team of industry professionals: scenic designer and properties coordinator Michael Santos, lighting designer Chris Riley, sound designer Bradley Van Houten, costume designer Dot Auchmoody, stage manager Cole Butcher, assistant stage manager Kelsey Coss, and Foley artist Esther Snyder. It’s a Wonderful Life: Live Radio Play stars Matt Schwabauer as George Bailey and Sydney Miller as Mary Bailey. Bryce will lead an all-star ensemble cast of Naples favorites, many of whom have become breakout stars in some of The Naples Players’ most recent productions. The cast includes (in alphabetical order): Brad Brenner, Mitch Frank, Shelley Gothard, Kevin Kenneally, Christine Mastrangelo and Norman Toback.

Mary Bailey, George Bailey.
Photo: Cross Align Media

Performed for two nights only on December 8 and 9,2 023 at 8 p.m. It’s a Wonderful Life: Live Radio Play will be performed offsite and outdoors in Cambier Park while The Naples Players’ historic 5th Ave S building undergoes a $20 million renovation. General tickets are $49, and season ticketholders are offered a price of $39.Those interested can visit NaplesPlayers.org anytime or call the TNP Box Office at (239)263-7990.

We love to get new volunteers into the mix! If you’re new to the area or just new to volunteering at TNP, don’t hesitate to join the fun.

Test your skills at the next audition, or contact Pamela Larkin Caruso today at 239-434-7340 ext. 104 to find out what other opportunities there are backstage and front of house.