TNP’s Radio Theater brings classic stories and new adaptations straight into your home. These productions follow the style of vintage broadcast dramas, relying on expressive performances, rich narration, and detailed soundscapes to pull listeners into the world of the story. You can enjoy them from anywhere, at any time, without giving up the quality you expect from TNP.
The result is a warm and engaging experience that feels both nostalgic and new.
Radio Theater is perfect for anyone who wants theatre they can enjoy on their own schedule, whether on a quiet evening, during a commute, or while relaxing at home. It offers a different way to connect with TNP, built on imagination, storytelling, and the skill of our artists.
Find us on your favorite platform!
You can hear more of these famous reprised radio shows right here or on SoundCloud; and you can also find us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and Spotify. Just search for The Naples Players Radio Theatre.
Few stories have woven themselves so completely into the fabric of American storytelling as "It’s a Wonderful Life." First released as a motion picture in 1946, Frank Capra’s film was initially met with modest success, only to grow—quietly and steadily—into one of the most beloved holiday traditions of the 20th century. Its message is deceptively simple: that an ordinary life, lived with kindness and integrity, can ripple outward in ways we may never fully see.
But long before the story became synonymous with annual television broadcasts and snowy black-and-white images, It’s a Wonderful Life found another home—one that relied not on visuals, but on imagination.
During the Golden Age of Radio, adaptations of popular films and stage works were a staple of American entertainment. Families gathered around their living-room radios much as we gather around screens today, listening to familiar stories re-told by voice, music, and sound alone. In that tradition, "It’s a Wonderful Life" was adapted for radio in the late 1940s, inviting listeners to create Bedford Falls in their own minds, to hear George Bailey’s quiet desperation and ultimate redemption without seeing a single snowflake fall.
Our radio production is both a tribute to that era and a reaffirmation of why this story endures.
Radio drama strips storytelling down to its essentials: voice, pacing, silence, and sound. Without images to guide us, we lean into the emotional truth of the characters. George Bailey becomes not just a man we watch, but a voice we sit beside. Clarence’s gentle wisdom feels more intimate. Mary’s love more personal. Bedford Falls becomes anywhere, and George Bailey becomes anyone who has ever wondered whether their life truly mattered.
Producing "It’s a Wonderful Life" as a radio drama also feels especially appropriate today. In an age of relentless noise and spectacle, radio invites us to slow down, to listen closely, and to reconnect with the human scale of the story. It reminds us that heroism doesn’t require grand gestures—sometimes it’s found in staying, in caring, and in choosing others over ourselves.
This production is made possible by a cast of generous voice actors who lend not only their talent, but their hearts to the story. Each performance is shaped by an understanding that "It’s a Wonderful Life" works not because it is sentimental, but because it is honest—acknowledging doubt, failure, and despair before arriving at hope.
We offer this audio presentation in the spirit in which radio drama has always thrived: as a shared experience, meant to be listened to closely, perhaps with family or friends, and carried with you afterward. Whether this is your first visit to Bedford Falls or your hundredth, we invite you to close your eyes, listen, and rediscover why George Bailey’s life—like so many others— was, indeed, a wonderful one.
This Naples Players Radio Theatre production features the vocal talents of Jesse Hughes, Pamela Dollak , Danny Miller, Vic Caroli, Kip Jones, Christian Conn, Theresa Bill, Lynne Young, Mitch Frank, John Heard, and Michael Troop . This audio file was recorded, mixed and mastered by Michael Troop. All music and sound effects were obtained through a special license from pond5.com and may not be copied or reproduced for any reason.
Theresa Bill is a seasoned actor having appeared in 84 shows during her life time. She has been involved in every aspect of theater production from set construction and puppet making to acting and directing. She has been associated with The Naples Players since 1991 and holds the distinction of being a lifetime member of the Theatre. In this production she vocalizes the role of the Mother Bailey.
Vic Caroli
Mr. Potter
Vic Caroli has been appearing on area stages for the last 20+ years. He has played many interesting people during that time, including Herr Schultz/Cabaret at The Naples Players, Abie Moscowitz/The Interview at The Marco Players, Big Daddy/Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Norman/On Golden Pond at The Studio Players. A former professional actor, Vic has appeared Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway and in regional theatre, dinner theatre and summer stock. In this production he vocalizes the role of Potter.
PAMELA DOLLAK (Sarah Goldman) is thrilled to make her TNP debut. Philly born and bred, Pamela works in PR by day, theatre by night (when possible). She holds a B.A. in theatre from Temple University and has performed on various stages in the Delaware Valley. Favorite roles include Hannah/The Night of the Iguana, Janice/Italian American Reconciliation, Chelsea/On Golden Pond, Suzette/Don’t Dress for Dinner, and Elaine/Last of the Red Hot Lovers. Love to Don for his support and dimples.
Mitch Frank
Mr. Gower
Mitch Frank has been performing in community theater for more than 35 years, mostly in New Jersey. Since moving to Naples in 2019, he has been on stage with The Naples Players and the Marco Island Art Center Theater. Mitch is also a frequent performer with The Naples Players Readers Theatre and Readers Theatre Road Show, and returns to The Naples Players Radio Theatre where he is the voice of Mr. Gower, the pharmacist.
John Heard
John Heard spent most of his career in leadership roles in international education. He and his wife Susan lived in London, The Hague, and Istanbul. They have traveled widely. John’s article, “Magical Mayo, Ireland” appeared in the online magazine In the Know Traveler. The Heards love theater and attend performances whenever there is an opportunity. Although his voice is not evident in this production, he did offer his time and effort to record the role of Mr. Gower and should be given credit.
Jesse Hughes
George Bailey
Jesse Hughes is frequently called upon for his superb voiceover talents and has been featured on the Radio Theatre in both serious dramas and comedies. His first job at age 13 was as a part-time co-host of a kids radio show for KJIL in Southwest Kansas. Besides being a versatile onstage actor, he and his wife also perform locally as the acoustic duo, Chariot – check them out at chariotduo.com. In this production he vocalizes the role of George Bailey.
Kip Jones
Uncle Billy
Kip Jones left the gloom of Connecticut winters to become a fulltime Naples resident in 2007. His stage experience began in the mid 1990s with roles in such plays as The Man Who Came To Dinner, A Few Good Men, The Wizard Of Oz, The Fantasticks , and It's a Wonderful Life. He has worked with all of the Naples area community theaters as well as the Center for the Arts Bonita Springs. Kip is currently active in TNP Readers Theater and Road Show, and is a frequently heard voice in Radio Theatre.
Narrator, Joseph, Dr. Campbell, Harry Bailey, Ernie
Michael Troop has been involved in almost every aspect of theater from building sets, running sound and light boards to acting. Over the past 30 plus years, he has appeared in numerous productions with The Naples Players. His interest in communication arts has extended to developing web sites, recording books for Audible and mixing and mastering sound files for this podcast series. In this production, Michael vocalizes the narrator, Joseph, Dr. Campbell, Harry Bailey, and Ernie the cab driver.
Lynne Young
Janie, ZuZu
Lynne Young has been involved in the theater since she was 15 years old and in college she studied Theater and Drama. She has been in over 37 productions across the United States and has participated in all areas theater production from costume design, hair and makeup, set construction, ushering, and directing. In 2021, she joined The Naples Players where she continues to be involved in all aspects of the theatrical arts. In this production she plays Mrs. Hatch, Janie, and ZuZu.
Volunteering with TNP’s Radio Theatre offers a relaxed and creative way to be part of our storytelling work. Volunteers lend their voices, technical skills, or production support to help bring each audio piece to life. It’s a great option for people who enjoy performing or sound work but prefer a low-pressure setting. Radio Theater recordings are made in a friendly, collaborative environment, and every volunteer helps shape a project that reaches audiences at home.
