(ORADELL, NJ) -- Bergen County Players (BCP) will present a heartwarming, inventive take on the beloved holiday classic It's a Wonderful Life with a special reimagined stage production across two weekends from December 13-20, 2025. Combining Frank Capra's legendary film with the celebrated radio play by Lux Radio Theatre, this adaptation promises a unique theatrical experience honoring the timeless story of love, redemption, and the enduring spirit of the holidays.
It’s a Wonderful Life: A BCP Radio Play starts in a bustling radio station. As the story unfolds, the audience is transported into the world of Bedford Falls, visualizing the action just as radio listeners would have around the communal “hearth.”
The narrative follows George Bailey’s poignant journey as he puts his dreams on hold to rescue the failing family business. On Christmas Eve, standing alone and wishing he’d never been born, a mysterious stranger appears. In this profound tale of redemption and holiday magic, George learns that "no man is a failure who has friends.”
Photos by @frantvisuals/Bergen County Players
Directed by Thomas Carey Gsell, the production will have a limited run from December 13 through December 20, with performances on Saturdays and Sunday at 7:30pm at the Little Firehouse Theatre, located at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell, New Jersey.
Tickets are $20 and are available for purchase online, by calling 201-261-4200, or by visiting the box office during regular hours.
The original film was based on Philip Van Doren Stern’s unpublished short story The Greatest Gift (1939) which came to the attention of Hollywood in 1943 after Van Doren Stern enclosed 200 copies of the story with his Christmas cards. In 1990, the film was added to the National Film Registry by the U.S. Library of Congress and consistently ranks high on AFI’s list of top 100 American movies. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor.
Director and Cast: Making their BCP Second Stage debut is director Thomas Carey Gsell, a Montclair State University graduate. “I can’t wait to share this heartwarming tale of hope with our BCP patrons in Oradell,” Gsell said. “I think there is a George Bailey inside of all of us, and I am so excited to be working with this amazing group of collaborators to tap into that energy.” Their previous directing experience started at Montclair with The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Spring Awakening, and RENT.
BCP’s unique version features an ensemble cast of 16 bringing dozens of characters to life, along with a dedicated Foley artist producing all the live sound effects.
Photos by @frantvisuals/Bergen County Players
The cast of 16 includes local favorites and newcomers such as: Bradley Carrington (Berkeley Heights) as George Bailey; Katherine Stelma (Bloomfield) as Mary Hatch; Peter Downing (Cliffside Park) as Clarence; Kate Stutzel (Emerson) as Joseph; Howell Mayer (Saddle Brook) as Uncle Billy; and Jan Eggers (Montvale) as Potter.
The ensemble cast is rounded out by Jacob and Oliver Beser of Ridgewood, Selena Doell of Garfield, Elizabeth Steinfeld of Ridgewood, Cheryl Woertz of Alpine, Matt Newberg of Fair Lawn, Melissa Giordano of River Vale, Tim Steinhoff of Harriman, NY, and Evie Eggers of Montvale. Rob Kopil of Suffern, NY will portray the Foley Artist.
Photos by @frantvisuals/Bergen County Players
Production Team: The production team is comprised of Howell Mayer (Producer), Scout Schiro (Assistant to the Director), Debbie Zika (Stage Manager), Allan Seward (Lighting Design), Thomas Carey Gsell (Projections Designer), Rob DeScherer (Sound Designer), Tim Larsen (Sound/Projections Consultant), Matt D’Elia (Sound Board /Projections Operator), Sandra Conklin (Lighting Board Operator), Felicia Benson-Kraft, Scout Schiro and Susan Kaufmann (Costume Designer), Tina Ferrara (Properties Designer), Ren Bailey (Make-up/Puppets Designer), Jen Bancks (Member-at-Large), Richard Frant (Photography), and Kay Koch (Social Media).
Community Involvement: BCP is proud to continue its community involvement by donating a portion of its 2025-2026 season proceeds to the Joan’s Joy Foundation, which honors the memory of 7-year-old Girl Scout Joan Angela D’Alessandro. BCP also invites patrons to participate in the local PBA’s 37th annual Toy Drive by bringing new, unwrapped toys to performances of It’s a Wonderful Life.
Photos by @frantvisuals/Bergen County Players
Accessibility: Seating for mobility-impaired patrons who can transfer from a wheelchair is available by calling the box office at 201-261-4200. These seats will be released for public sale two weeks prior to performance.
Parking: Free parking is available at the Park Avenue municipal lot, as well as street parking and lots behind Town Hall and the Library. For detailed parking information, click here.
Bergen County Players, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting quality theatrical productions to the community. Founded in 1932, BCP is one of America’s longest-running little theater companies.
