Appearing as radio actors who in turn perform "It's a Wonderful Life" are (from left) Chris Harder, David Bodin, Victoria Schindler and Jimmy Garcia. (David Kinder)

This is not Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life."

Artists Repertory Theatre's holiday production this season is a brisker, simpler retelling of the classic 1946 movie, with a bigger bow on top at the end.

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Chris Harder plays radio performer Jake Laurents, who in turn takes the role of George Bailey in a radio adaptation of "It's a Wonderful Life." (David Kinder)

The story has been streamlined from the movie's 2 hours and 15 minutes to a 90-minute highlights reel: Bright-eyed, ambitious George Bailey encounters one dream-deferring obstacle after another until he's 38 years old and still running the family business he hoped to leave behind two decades ago, along with his small hometown of Bedford Falls. Then his uncle makes a disastrous financial mistake that turns into the straw that broke the camel's back and George ends up contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve. "I wish I'd never been born," he moans. But his guardian angel shows him how dismally different Bedford Falls would be if George Bailey had never existed, and our hero decides to embrace the life he has.

Joe Landry's stage adaptation breathes fresh air into the story with the simple conceit of setting it up as a live radio play. Under Beth Harper's direction, a cast of just seven, clutching well-thumbed scripts, trots nimbly through multiple parts on a single simple set, taking an occasional break from the narrative to parody 1940s radio ads. Watching the actors switching roles and voices without missing a beat is half the fun: David Bodin literally hops back and forth in one scene to perform both sides of an argument between George's father, Peter, and the town's hard-hearted banker, Mr. Potter.

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Susannah Mars (left) joins Leslie North at the special effects table in the radio play version of "It's a Wonderful Life." (David Kinder)

Costume designer Wanda Walden strikes holiday gold by giving the actors' period outfits a palette of reds and purples for a look that's more a la mode than a la musty. Props master Robert Amico has fun with the sound effects collection for Leslie North's onstage Foley artist: In a scene in which George is punched in the mouth, North wields a pair of boxing gloves.

Strengths: This compressed version of "It's a Wonderful Life" places the focus squarely on what it's like for a man to gradually let go of the life he envisioned and replace it with the life others think best for him. Criticisms of the film sometimes center on how Bedford Falls is portrayed, as a smug suburb where conformity is king; this production instead emphasizes the individual threads in a community's tapestry, to the story's benefit.

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Chris Harder (left) and Jimmy Garcia act out a scene in "It's a Wonderful Life" while David Bodin, Susannah Mars and Victoria Schindler look on. (David Kinder)

Chris Harder channels just enough James Stewart to make his George Bailey comfortably familiar while still putting his own spin on the character. Susannah Mars takes Mary Hatch Bailey from lovestruck teen to harried wife and mother with aplomb. Along with Bodin, Jimmy Garcia performs so many supporting characters, including the Bailey children, it's a wonder he can keep them all straight.

Weaknesses: Artists Rep, which has long been known for mature productions, has been billing this production as family-friendly, even staging it at Northwest Children's Theater and School, but truly appreciating the dialogue-driven show requires perspective and patience that may be a tall order for children.

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Susannah Mars and Chris Harder team up as Mary and George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life." (David Kinder)

Line of the night: What else? "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings."

Inside tip: Early arrivals can enjoy a pre-show in which Mars, best known as a singer, and other cast members treat their "studio audience" to holiday tunes.

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Acting and singing in Artists Repertory Theatre's "It's a Wonderful Life" are (from left) Alyssa Longoria, Susannah Mars and Victoria Schindler. (David Kinder)

Takeaway: "It's a Wonderful Life" is a reliable reminder of the value of integrity, friendship and love, and Artists Rep wraps up that reminder in a delightful package.

***

"It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play"

When: Various showtimes through Dec. 30

Where: Northwest Children's Theater and School, 1819 N.W. Everett St.

Tickets: $25-$40, artistsrep.org or 503-241-1278.