It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

Same story. Same year. A microphone instead of a camera.

Joe Landry's adaptation puts the cast in a 1940s radio studio and lets them build the whole of Bedford Falls out of voices and sound effects while you watch. George Bailey still gets his bad night and his second look at the world, and the line everyone waits for still lands: no man is a failure who has friends.

It is drawn from Philip Van Doren Stern's short story The Greatest Gift, which is where the film came from too, and this is the short version, directed by Alice Jackins. Feel-good, festive, and built for the whole family.

Good to know. Two performances only, Friday 4 and Saturday 5 December, both at 7:30pm. At $25 for adults and $20 for seniors and students this is the most affordable thing on the Playshop's calendar.

Coming with a crowd? Groups of ten or more get 10 percent off the whole order, booked through the box office rather than online. ADA seating is arranged the same way.

Where to go. The Playshop is at 15 Lovers Lane in Wilton, a small house that has been putting on plays since 1937, and an easy run in from anywhere in lower Fairfield County.