Long time ago in Toronto, Soulpepper’s Theatre production of Michael Shamata’s adaptation of the Dickens’ holiday classic A Christmas Carol became an annual theatre tradition for me. Every year, I wanted to make time to see the show because it always set me in the spirit of the season. When I brought guests, they loved the show. Some even went again on their own to see it.
Since that version is no longer presented in the gorgeously decorated Distillery District, I felt a tad empty on the inside.
Yes, there are other Christmas- and winter-themed shows.
Shaw has White Christmas and A Christmas Carol. I hear A Huron Christmas Carol will be presented in southwestern Ontario, some community theatre productions of A Christmas Story, A Hallmark(ish) Carol, and some Christmas Carols. Shrek and Frozen are playing to nearly sold-out audiences in Toronto, Hamilton and London, and that’s great as they’re excellent shows. Canadian Stage has Robin Hood, and Port Hope’s Capitol has Hansel and Gretel for its panto.
All wonderful shows. Yet, I miss Soulpepper’s A Christmas Carol because it became a holiday tradition.
However, there might be something in the wind that might be worth the drive to Peterborough to get into the spirit of the season locally.
It may even be my new holiday tradition.
Adapted by Joe Landry, New Stages bills It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play as an opportunity for audiences to experience the classic in a whole new light. The story is well known: George Bailey looks back over his life and remembers what a precious gift he has been given. In the end, audiences will realize just how precious life truly is.
And hopefully have some fun and laughs along the way.
Joe Landry’s production is set in a 1940s radio station; the five actors from the 2023 New Stages show return: M. John Kennedy, Megan Murphy, Kerry Griffin, Brad Brackenridge and Ordena Stephens-Thompson will read the story of It’s a Wonderful Life as a radio play. However, it’s not just a radio play, as there’s action and movement on stage. Gabriel Vaillant returns as Music Director, and Mark Wallace to direct.
New this year, the cast also includes talented young actors from the Peterborough community: Poppy Alderson, Faela Conroy and Evie Wallace.
It’s not always striking gold when a theatre production can bring back the entire cast. This re-staging and remount is a theatre treat. Sadly, I didn’t get to see the 2023 production. When I heard it was returning, I got in touch with Artistic Director Mark Wallace to ask if he would like the show reviewed because I didn’t want to miss it this year. He agreed, and the rest is a go-ahead.
I had wanted to travel to Peterborough to interview the cast for this article, but personal circumstances prevented me from doing so. Under Wallace’s savvy knowledge of all things electronic, combined with the cast’s terrific repartee and sense of humour, they answered questions via a live recording.
For them to take a few moments from their rehearsal schedule after lunch to do this, I am grateful, thankful, and appreciative for their understanding.
I am attending opening night. Not missing it at all.
Director Wallace said the 2023 production was the first time New Stages had done a holiday production:
“While Wonderful Life was acclaimed by everyone who came and saw it, we did not have full houses. The next year, New Stages mounted A Christmas Carol Comedy (written by Katie Leaman) with Linda Kash as Scrooge and Kerry Griffin as everyone else. It was a big hit and well attended.”
Mark believes New Stages is building a holiday tradition within Peterborough, and he thought it was time to bring the radio play back. The cast was eager and keen to return, which is rare in the theatre industry when actors have other projects on the go.
Megan Murphy stated there’s quite a buzz already going around in town about the show’s return. She’s looking forward to working with this cast and crew again because: “we all like each other.”
She also said:
“I just came back from a doctor’s appointment who couldn’t attend in 2023. While I was at my appointment, the doctor booked tickets.” I could hear the other actors around her saying she must now schedule all her appointments over the next week and a bit.
The actors believe that audience interest in Christmas-themed shows ebbs and flows. While set during the Christmas holiday season, Die Hard cannot be counted as a Christmas-themed show and is not for the entire family, no matter what anyone says, even though the cast joked it should be considered for 2026.
Ordena Stephens-Thompson made a good point:
“People are looking for family-oriented shows at this time of year. Anything you can bring your family to is a draw.”
Wallace acknowledged that while theatres are doing their utmost to schedule seasonal-themed shows for families, there are dreadful Christmas ones. The cast laughed because they could probably name a few. New Stages wanted a show that is inventive, fun and enjoyable, and Radio Play fit the bill in 2023. The time was right to bring it back.
Megan Murphy believes there’s a huge appetite for audiences right now at this time of year of: “Life, just make me feel good.”
I couldn’t agree more with you, Megan. Whether it’s Hallmark films or seeing It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, choose which you wish. For me, I’m selecting the latter.
My Christmas wish is that audiences in Peterborough and across the region will do the same.
The story of It’s a Wonderful Life is original for its time. It’s inventive. I’m looking forward to seeing how New Stages will immerse the audience in that feeling of ‘Life, just make me feel good.”
As Wallace and the cast began to close the podcast conversation, there was an essential message they hope audiences will take away:
“The feelings of what you give to other people, in this season of giving of yourself and helping others, that makes a big impact in other people’s lives.”
Performances of It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play will be held at Peterborough’s Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, 140 Charlotte Street.
Performance dates: Wednesday, December 10, at 7 pm
Thursday, December 11, at 7 pm
Friday, December 12, at 7 pm
Saturday, December at 2 pm AND 7 pm
Sunday, December 14, at 2 pm
Tickets are $40 plus venue fee
Visit newstages.ca to book your tickets or call the Market Hall Box Office at (705) 775-1503
