Published: Friday, November 30, 2007 - 2:08 am in The Greenville News

Will Ragland "... as earnest and lovable a fellow as Jimmy Stewart's ... It's Ragland all the way, and that's just dandy. He's proven himself time and again on various stages to be one of this area's most versatile and dynamic young talents." Ann Hicks, Greenville News

By Ann Hicks
Arts Writer
ahicks@greenvillenews.com

Joe Landry's film-to-stage adaptation of Frank Capra's 1946 Christmas classic, "It's a Wonderful Life," is a satisfying holiday confection at Centre Stage -- South Carolina.

Presented as a "live radio play," the chestnut about George Bailey's at-times-not- so-wonderful life in Bedford Falls opened on Thursday night with a spot-on reinterpretation of the long-ago movie starring Jimmy Stewart.

Under the direction of well regarded director John Fagan, the fine ensemble of six actors do a memorable job portraying the peaks and depths of human emotions while avoiding banality.

Will Ragland's George Bailey is as earnest and lovable a fellow as Jimmy Stewart's, yet Ragland never makes the mistake of trying to channel the aw-shucks Hollywood idol.

It's Ragland all the way, and that's just dandy. He's proven himself time and again on various stages to be one of this area's most versatile and dynamic young talents.

Not that the other fine cast members lack the gift to act.

What makes this production come off so well, other than the concentration of individual talents, is the personal chemistry between the players as they field their dozen or so varied characters.

The guys -- Stephen Kelsey, Peter Haloulos, Beau Phillips, heavy on dour humor and occasional manly hysteria -- are great foils for the perpetually chirpy Cindy Mixon. Glenda ManWaring is charming as Mary Bailey, George's loving wife.

The sound effects, visibly created by the actors, lend authenticity to the "live" nature of old-time radio. It's fun to watch them create the requisite audio mis en scene.

Lesley Preston and Guy Perticone's set and light design completes the picture-perfect image of this 1940s radio show.