The American Blues Theater has presented It’s a Wonderful Life as a staged radio show every year since 2002, complete with breaks for singing commercials that reminded me of my visit to the Grand Ole Opry, but this was my first time in the audience, because, well, bah humbug.

I had my reservations, both literal and figurative, but decided it was time to see what the fuss over this consistently recommended show has been about all these years.

The theater encourages you to get there early to enjoy some rowdy renditions of holiday songs by the cast to warm up the attendees coming in from the cold.

After that there’s a little too much introduction to what you’re about to witness, especially given the fact that, unlike me, a fair number of people there were annual regulars, as evidenced by some comments collected before the show and read aloud by the actors during the breaks between acts.

The play itself is true to the movie. If you’re one of those people who can’t imagine watching anyone but Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey and Lionel Barrymore as Mr. Potter, then, of course, you’ll be disappointed. But if you’re there for the material, and the enjoyment of watching a talented ensemble do their thing, with cast members instantly, audibly transforming from one character to the next, all while Michael Mahler provides background music on the piano and J.G. Smith does her thing as the resident Foley artist (which is fun not only to hear, but also to watch), the evening is a crowd pleaser.

And there were free homemade cookies in the lobby afterwards.