Americana Theatre Company Reprises It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

Americana Theatre Company's 2017 production of It's a Wonderful Life - a Live Radio Play,
image by KB Designs of New England
It's a Wonderful Life 2017 by KB Designs of NE HR

Holiday theatrical classic revived for Americana’s third biennial production

McGRATHPR.com – Americana Theatre Company (ATC), Plymouth’s professional theatre company, presents its holiday season biennial tradition It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play on select dates from December 7 through 15, at Plymouth Center for the Arts, 11 North Street, Plymouth.  It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is a radio play adaptation by Joe Landry, directed by Marianne Savell.

A beloved American holiday film classic showcasing a live 1940’s radio broadcast comes to captivating life in It’s a Wonderful Life:  A Live Radio Play.  Inside the WBFR radio studio, a small ensemble portrays more than 40 roles with microphones, sound effects and the quintessential “applause” sign gracing the stage as the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds. The hubbub and excitement of the Christmas Eve broadcast of It’s a Wonderful Life lulls as “listeners” tune in, and Bailey contemplates the fate of his future and what his world would be like if he never existed in it.  A story of desperation and miracles finds hope in the prayers of an angel, delivering holiday season entertainment and joy to all those in need.

Marianne Savell, Director

Award-winning director, actor, teacher and theatre coach Marianne Savell is familiar with Americana audiences as the director of prior productions, including Grease, The Three Musketeers, An Inspector Calls and Moonlight and Magnolias.  She has directed multiple premiere productions across the United States, including the west coast premiere of It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. 

Members of the cast of ATC’s 2017 production of It’s a Wonderful Life (L to R) Actors David Friday, Emily Marsland and Jesse M. Sullivan, image by Jake Smith

It’s A Wonderful Life’s cast features company members from across the country including Jesse M. Sullivan, David Friday, Joshua Nicholson and Jennifer Martin. Returning guest performing artists include Johan Woods and Amelia Dobbs. Four of ATC’s Studio Americana students round out the cast, featuring Karly Friday, Violet Perry, David Savastano and Luca Bucci.

Tickets for It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play are $35 adults, $30 for students and seniors.  Performances are held on December 7 at 8 pm; December 8 at 2 pm and 7 pm; December 12, 7 pm; December 13, 8 pm; December 14, 2 pm and 8 pm; December 15 at 2 pm. 

Young Violet Perry, from the 2017 production of It’s a Wonderful Life as Zuzu, reprises her role in 2019, image by Jake Smith

For tickets to It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, or more information about Americana Theatre Company, visit www.americanatheatre.org, or call 508-591-0282. Advance ticket purchases are recommended, as seating is limited to capacity.  Plymouth Center for the Arts is handicap accessible, and paid public parking is available street side and in nearby public lots.

About Americana Theatre Company

Americana Theatre Company (ATC) is a non-profit, professional theatre company serving the Greater Plymouth region. ATC’s leadership team including Managing Director David Friday, Artistic Director Jesse Sullivan, Associate Artistic Director Jennifer Martin and Director of Education Erin Friday are charged with continuing Founder Derek Martin’s vision of opening a professional theatre organization in America’s Hometown, a dream fulfilled in 2011.  ATC’s audiences find that story is paramount. ATC is committed to hiring directors, actors, and designers of the highest caliber, with an aim to enliven the cultural atmosphere of the Plymouth community by offering excellent, entertaining theatre and theatre education to residents and visitors alike. For more information, visit americanatheatre.org, or call 508-591-0282.

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