“Look, Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.” For most Americans, the holiday ritual means at least one viewing of the Frank Capra film classic “It’s A Wonderful Life” with Jimmy Stewart’s indelible performance as George Bailey, an idealistic man who struggles to do the right thing against adversity. From November 20 through December 5th, The Playhouse at McConnellstown presents “It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”, adapted by Joe Landry from the famous movie.

Directed by Jeanne Nagurny and Anita Burkhart, the stage is transformed with vintage microphones, electric “applause” signs and a table full of radio-style sound-effect devices. The Playhouse’s 76-seat theater becomes the studio of fictional WBFR Radio, Manhattan, and theatre-goers become participants in the 1946 Christmas Eve broadcast of “It’s A Wonderful Life.”

The story became a classic for a reason —its profound depiction of despair and its authentically hopeful version of reality. Our need to revisit the story of George Bailey now may be more relevant than in any previous year since the movie’s release. The economic hardships and challenges of Bedford Falls in the 1930s and ’40s sound like the current events of 2009.

As vulnerable, unsophisticated and simple as George Bailey is compared to Mr. Potter, in the long run he shows that, when facing hard times, hope is the tougher vision — and deposits of kindness draw the richest and most sustainable dividends. As the angel (second class) Clarence puts it – “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”

The production is directed by Jeanne Nagurny and Anita Burkhart. The sound-effects are brought to life by Barbara Hughes and Anita Burkhart of Huntingdon. The cast (many who play multiple roles) includes Shelby Metz of Petersburg, William Daniel Daup of Lewistown, Jeanne Allen , Rick Klotz, Lawr Leidy, Mark and Logan Centi, Sara Jean Brown, Keith Sutton (on piano) and Daniel Weston all from Huntingdon.

This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radiobroadcast on Friday and Saturday November 20, 21, 27, 28, December 4, 5 at 8pm. Sunday performances are scheduled for November 22, 29 at 2:30pm. The Playhouse is located at 11680 Raystown Road (State Route 26), on the south end of the village of McConnellstown, five miles south of Huntingdon and thirty-five miles south of State College. Reservations and information call (814)627-0311