'It's A Wonderful Life!'

Radio-play scripts, music & sound effects

Available to license for the 2024 Christmas season!

Above, Michael Richards, Sara Rue, Susan Sullivan and Orson Bean appearing in a Pasadena Playhouse production of Tony Palermo's adaptation of It's a Wonderful Life!. Other productions starred Alfred Molina, Brooke Adams and Tony Shalhoub, as well as another run, with Joe Mantegna, Sharon Lawrence, Fred Willard, and Jamie Farr. The Geffen Theater presented a production starring Peter Gallagher, Annette Bening, Bryan Cranston, and Shirley Jones.

I offer two radio-drama adaptations of It's A Wonderful Life! from Frank Capra's 1946 film--100 minute and 60-minute.

NOTE: It's a Wonderful Life is based on the story, The Greatest Gift, by Philip Van Doren Stern.

My adaptation is faithful to the film while being thoroughly entertaining as a radio-on-stage production. I am a professional radio dramatist and sound effects artist, a veteran of over 2500 shows--who has worked with the greats from the Golden Age and today--on-air and on-stage. I've used my extensive radio drama expertise to craft a Wonderful Life that brings the delight of classic radio drama to modern audiences.

My adaptation is intended to be performed as a 1940s-era live radio show, taking place on-stage, with actors reading from scripts while standing at microphones, and sound effects artists doing the doors, footsteps in snow, Mr. Potter's squeaky wheelchair, etc. The script works for live broadcast, podcast or audiobook, but my focus is in presenting theater audiences with an authentic and delightful experience of radio drama in its heyday.

The full version of the script runs 102 minutes--without intermission--but breaks into three acts.

NOTE: For troupes wishing a shorter show, I also offer a 60-minute version--that omits the Violet Bick character completely and pares back other scenes and trims dialogue. However, even at 60 minutes, the story still holds up.

Additionally, I offer pre-recorded sound effects and pre-recorded music tracks using an authentic radio-drama organ score (plus some piano, accordion and jazz combo tracks.) Sheet music for the organ/piano score is also available, so a single keyboardist can accompany the show--live.

The script comes with a 60 page appendix: How to Produce 'Wonderful Life' as a Radio-on-Stage Show, detailing everything from thematic approaches to the material, to casting monologues, a sound effects cookbook, pre-recorded track listings, audio gear resources, right down to instructions for “working” a microphone. Additionally, there’s a history of how radio-on-stage shows were produced in the Golden Age of 1940s radio and how you can blend the various styles to fit your troupe's resources and likings.

The performance royalty I charge is based upon the venue (school, stage, recording, or broadcast) and the number of performances/broadcasts. For a quote, contact me at and tell me about your intended production. 

NOTE: Because I e-mail you a PDF file of the script, I do NOT charge for script-booklets. All other 'Wonderful Life' adaptations charge a performance royalty PLUS $8-10 per script copy. For 'WL'--a show with 10-27 actors & crew--the per-script-copy fees could add another $200-$300 to your costs.

Sample copies of the script are available as PDF files. (See the link below.)

I accept payments via the free and secure PayPal.com service.

TO ORDER: Contact me at and tell me which version of the script you are interested in--the 100-minute or 60-minute version. Also tell me about your intended production (venue size, seating capacity, ticket prices, how many performances, etc.) I deliver the script (and optional sheet music score) via e-mail as a PDF file, and the pre-recorded music cues and pre-recorded sound effects tracks can be downloaded as MP3 files. The live sound effects (bells, plates, footsteps, etc.) are up to you to assemble, but my script has a "cookbook" section explaining how to make each sound using items you can find locally or on-line.

As an experienced theater professional, I understand that sometimes changes need to be made to fit a troupe's resources--and cast make-up. Unlike other playwrights, I allow you to skip or alter scenes, change the gender of characters, and fit the script to your troupe. I can even send you a list of recommended cuts if you need to shorten the show. Also, I allow you to make as many photocopies of the script as you need for cast and crew--at no additional fee.

While you must assemble your own live sound effects kit, my script's "SFX cookbook" section explains how to make each sound using items you can find in your town, on-line, or construct. Additionally, since I am a professional sound effects artist, I also offer pre-recorded tracks of the more unusual sounds--(plunging into the river, glass breaking, crickets, cars, the 1928 dance band with retracting gym-pool floor and folks diving in, etc.) for a one-time fee. I also offer pre-recorded music tracks--using an authentic theater organ and piano--for a one-time fee. As stated above, sheet music for the original score is also available for troupes that want live accompaniment for their show.

If you want to produce Wonderful Life as a radio drama, you couldn't find a more authentic and resource-laden version than this.

It's A Wonderful Life! is about dreams, sacrifice and redemption in small town America. Tony's imaginative radio adaptation has been performed by Hollywood professionals, radio stations, community theatre troupes, and schools across the world. This perennial holiday favorite works well as a live-on-stage performance--one that doesn't require elaborate sets or memorization. The live sound effects (mostly doors, bells, footsteps and vocal "walla walla") always delight live audiences. You can download pre-recorded sound effects (one time fee) and period-correct musical underscore tracks (one time fee) --as MP3 files. Sheet music is also available, matching the pre-recorded tracks of the score.

NOTE: The script includes a 100-page guide How to Produce 'Wonderful Life!' as a Radio-on-Stage Show. (sound effects "cookbook", casting monologues, engineering info, advice for live accompanists and more.)

Free "It's A Wonderful Life!" radio drama sample script - for perusal purposes
Here's a free, downloadable radio drama "Wonderful Life" sample script, including scene excerpts and a truncated version of the 100-page "How to Produce Radio-On-Stage Shows" appendix:

        SCRIPT SAMPLE - RADIO DRAMA - It's A Wonderful Life! 100-minute version - TRUNCATED.pdf

You can view/print the sample radio script PDF with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader program, which works for PCs, Macs, and Android devices.

Tony's Notes On Interpreting 'It's A Wonderful Life!'
Valuable information about how I've approached this adaptation and suggestions for how you handle your production.

Cast size:

Throughout the play, there are never more than 11 characters in a scene, so a small cast can easily perform the entire show. However, you can employ anywhere from 11 to 35 actors.

Maximum: 10 men, 9 women, [or 16 men-OR-women] and optionally, 2 boys and 2 girls (but those roles can be handled by adults--as it was done in the golden age of radio.)
With doubling of roles, the 100-minute version has been done with only 11 actors (7 men, 4 women) In the sample script above, you will find a 60-page appendix with suggestions for doubling roles. The 60-minute version has been done by as few as 6 actors (4 men, two women).

George Bailey	Dreamer/Loan Officer (male)
Clarence	Angel, Second Grade (m/f)
Uncle Billy	Absent-minded clerk (male)
Mr. Potter	Warped, old financier (m/fe)
Bert	Local policeman (male)
Ernie	Cab driver (m/f)
SAM WAINWRIGHT	Successful businessman (male)
POP Bailey	George’s father (male)
Harry Bailey	George’s younger brother (male)
MR. WELCH	Irate husband (male)
Mary Hatch Bailey	George’s Wife/Librarian (female)
VIOLET BICK	Sultry gal (female) - only appears in the 100-minute version.
Ma Bailey	George’s mother (female)
Cousin Tilly	Loan office clerk (m/f)
Mrs. Hatch	Mary’s mother (female)
Zuzu Bailey	Girl, age 5 (female)
Janie Bailey	Girl, age 8 (female)
DR. CAMPBELL	Board President (m/f)
MRS. THOMPSON	Shareholder (female)
Mrs. DAVIS	Shareholder (female)
SUPERINTENDENT	Boss of Angels (m/f)
ANNOUNCER	Radio announcer (m/f)
Gower	Pharmacist (m/f)
Nick	Bartender (m/f)
MARTINI	Italian café owner (m/f)
CHARLIE	Difficult shareholder (m/f)
Young George Bailey	Boy, age 10 (m/f)
NIGHT WATCHMAN	Night Watchman (m/f)
BANK TELLER	Bank clerk (m/f)
Cousin Eustace	Loan office clerk (m/f) - only appears in the 100-minute version.
Carter	Bank Examiner (m/f)
PeteY Bailey	Boy, age 9 (m/f)
impatient NEIGHBOR	Impatient neighbor (m/f)
RANDY	Shareholder (m/f)
SHERIFF	County Sheriff (m/f)
EdDY	Shareholder (m/f) - only appears in the 100-minute version.

ALSO:    1 to 5 on-stage SOUND EFFECTS ARTISTS for live SFX (and optionally, pre-recorded SFX)

ALSO:    Sound technician to trigger pre-recorded music (and optionally, pre-recorded SFX)

OPTIONAL: Live keyboardist to play organ and piano using sheet music of the original score.

Sound Effects:

This show requires 1 or 2 sound  effects artists who can perform the live SFX (and, optionally, trigger pre-recorded SFX, too.)

Live sound effects for "It's A Wonderful Life!" :
The full script offers detailed instructions on how to find/make them in the SFX cookbook section of the 60-page appendix.

1.	TINGLING WIND CHIMES
2.	ICE CRACKING
3.	PHONE RINGS
4.	PHONE HANDSET PICKED UP/HUNG UP
5.	PHONE BEING DIALED
6.	FACE SLAPS
7.	DINNER PLATES/FORKS
8.	FOOTSTEPS ON SIDEWALK
9.	DOG BARKS/HOWLS
10.	ROBE BEING RIPPED
11.	SHAKING FLOWER BUSH
12.	GAVEL
13.	JIMMY, THE TALKING BIRD
14.	DOOR OPENING/CLOSING/SHUT
15.	BELL ATTACHED TO DOOR RINGS
16.	CREAKING DOOR OPENING
17.	DOOR LOCKING
18.	PHONOGRAPH CLICKED ON
19.	NEEDLE SCRATCHES RECORD
20.	ENVELOPE OF MONEY RUSTLED
21.	CAB DOOR OPENS/SHUTS
22.	FLAPPING BIRD WINGS
23.	KNITTING NEEDLES QUIETLY KNITTING
24.	TYPEWRITER (KEYS AND BELL)
25.	SQUEAKY WHEELCHAIR
26.	NEWSPAPER FLEXED/HANDED OVER
27.	FOOTSTEPS IN SNOW
28.	MODEL BRIDGE BEING DESTROYED
29.	PAPER HANDED OVER
30.	BARROOM GLASSES CLINKING
31.	PUNCH
32.	BODY DROP
33.	THUNDER ROLL
34.	CASH REGISTER KA-CHING & BELL
35.	DRINKS BEING SET DOWN ON BAR
36.	BOTTLE BEING SLAMMED DOWN ON BAR
37.	SCUFFLES
38.	CRASH OF TRASH CAN
39.	WOMAN STAGGERS IN HIGH HEELS
40.	FRANTIC POUNDING ON DOOR
41.	POLICE WHISTLE
42.	GUNSHOTS
43.	SEARCHING A POCKET
44.	CHAMPAGNE CORK POP
45.	BOOK OPENED
46.	SMALL TEA BELL RUNG

Pre-recorded sound effects for "It's A Wonderful Life!" :
30 minutes of pre-recorded tracks (of sounds not easily produced live), available as downloadable MP3 files.  

Track	Description
01	Icy splashes into pond
02	Gower’s phone rings (3X) – can be done live, also
03	1928 Dance band / Floor Retracting / Splashes
04	Crickets #1
05	Distant window shattered by rock #1
06	Distant window shattered by rock #2
07	Car pulls up, idles--under
08	Downtown Bedford Falls (Traffic)
09	Ernie’s cab pulls away from curb
10	Crickets #2
11	“Buffalo Gals” 78 RPM record
12	Mary’s phone rings (20X) – can be done live, also
13	Interior of cab driving #1
14	Cab pulls over
15	Uncle Billy’s phone rings (1-½X) – can be live, also
16	Office phone rings (1-¼X) – can be done live, also
17	Potter’s clock ticking in background #1
18	Bailey phone rings (2X) – can be live, also
19	Potter’s clock ticking in background #2
20	Clarence jumps in river, splashes around
21	George jumps in river, splashes around
22	Magical harp glissando--UP
23	Wind #1
24	Downtown Pottersville (Traffic)
25	Interior of cab driving #2
26	Wind #2 (Cemetery)
27	Wind #3 (Bridge)
28	Magical harp glissando--DOWN

Samples of "Wonderful Life!" sound effects tracks:

DEMO - walk-through of a dozen "Wonderful Life!" ambience and action sound effects in one 2-minute clip.mp3 (2.2 MB)

• FX-03 Crickets and FX-06 Car pulls up - DEMO
• FX-05 "Buffalo Gals" 78-RPM record - DEMO
• FX-19 Clarence jumps in river and splashes - DEMO
• FX-23 Downtown Pottersville traffic - DEMO

Pre-recorded musical tracks for "It's A Wonderful Life!" :
36 minutes worth of Jonathan Green's original music--featuring 1940s theater organ, piano, accordion and jazz combo--available as downloadable MP3 files.

ALSO: Downloadable SHEET MUSIC for the organ and piano cues. See below for details...