Central Oregon Coast's Production of 'It's a Wonderful Life' Gives It a Unique Slant

Published 12/09/25 at 6:35 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Lincoln City, Oregon) - Director Lewis Smith first staged this production at Lincoln City’s Theatre West in 2017, where its popularity quickly surpassed that small central Oregon coast venue. More performers wanted to join, and Smith envisioned adding live music - something that required a larger space. When Lincoln City Cultural Center Executive Director Emeritus Niki Price supported the idea, the show moved to the LCCC in 2018. It returned in 2019, 2023, and again this year, each time expanding its signature mix of nostalgia, artistry, and community.

The Lincoln City Cultural Center is once again welcoming the season with It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, directed by Smith. Performances are scheduled for Friday, December 12 at 7 pm, and Saturday, December 13 at 2 pm and 7 pm in the LCCC auditorium at 540 NE Hwy 101.

Over time, the production has grown not only in scale but in shared tradition. What began as Smith’s fascination with the magic of live music and sounds has become a cherished local event, shaped by musicians, actors, and artisans who know that storytelling lives in every creak of a handmade door and every note echoing from another era.

This holiday favorite invites audiences to step back into the golden age of radio, where George Bailey, Clarence the angel, and the town of Bedford Falls come alive through live voices, period costumes, and sound effects created right before your eyes. With its nostalgic “studio” setting and heartfelt performances, the radio play captures the warmth and generosity of the season.

“Doing this story in the style of a 1940s radio broadcast really brings out its heart,” said director Lewis Smith. “Audiences get to see how the magic happens. The voices, the Foley sound effects, the timing. It’s all right there in front of you. It’s nostalgic, funny, and deeply moving, all at once.”

Smith, a veteran theater director and performer, has gathered a talented ensemble of local actors who portray multiple characters with wit and creativity. The show highlights the spirit of community theater and the joy of shared storytelling, reminding audiences that - like George Bailey - we all make a difference in each other’s lives.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and students, and $10 for youth. Advance tickets are available online at https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=304358. Seating is limited, so early reservations are encouraged.

For details on this and other performances, call the LCCC at 541-994-9994 or visit lincolncity-culturalcenter.org. Below: Lewis, director.

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