3.5 out of 5 stars

Who doesn’t like a little holiday nostalgia? The Irish Rep’s production of “It’s a Wonderful Life!” plays heavily into that idea, refashioning the classic Christmas movie as a radio drama and letting the audience experience it as if they were a studio audience in 1946. It’s an effective piece, vintage commercial breaks and all, though if you’re a fan of the movie (and isn’t everyone?) it’s hard not to miss those lines delivered in a way that only Jimmy Stewart can. The cast here makes merry in any case, with Ashley Robinson a quirkily delightful standout as the angel Clarence. — Charles Passy

At the Irish Rep, through Dec. 31, 2025; irishrep.org. (Review date: Dec. 7, 2025)