Looking for the spirit of Christmas? It’s right here
I attended the opening performance of “It's a Wonderful Life” at the Manatee Performing Arts Center this week. It's in the format of a live radio play, and it brought back so many happy memories of all the wonderful radio shows I listened to as a child in the days before television.
The set in the smaller Kiwanis theater is a very authentic-looking radio studio including a flashing "Applause" sign. All of the performers were fabulous (most playing multiple roles), but Mark Shoemaker in the iconic George Bailey role actually made me cry. For a wonderful dose of nostalgia and a great way to put you in the Christmas spirit, I urge everyone to see this show.
Betty Dodt
Bradenton
This story was originally published December 2, 2016 at 3:00 PM with the headline "Looking for the spirit of Christmas? It’s right here."