American Theater Co Closes IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: THE RADIO PLAY

American Theater Company (ATC) presented the tenth anniversary year of the beloved holiday classic, It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play adapted from Frank Capra's film and directed by Jason W. Gerace. The production closes tonight at American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron St, Chicago, IL.

Bedford Falls. 1948. ATC transforms its intimate space into an actual 1940's radio studio to tell Capra's classic story of one man's affect on his community. Complete with audiograms and commercial breaks, audiences may be recorded live for broadcast on WBEZ Chicago Public Radio. Free milk and cookies are served after every performance.

"As we celebrate the 65th anniversary of Frank Capra's remarkable film, and the 10th anniversary of what is now a holiday tradition in Chicago, it is clear that it is the spirit of It's a Wonderful Life lives on and continues to lift us up and bring us together, generation after generation," says director Jason Gerace. "The message of love and community in this story is something we all need to hear in these trying times, and I am honored to be able to continue that tradition and do my part to remind people, as Clarence reminds George, ‘no man is a failure who has friends."

It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play features Chris McLinden (George Bailey), Mike Nussbaum (Potter, Clarence), Phillip Earl Johnson (Mr. Bailey, Uncle Billy, Joseph, others), Mary Winn Heider (Mary Hatch, Mrs. Bailey), Mike Tepeli (Harry Bailey, Ernie, others), Maggie Graham (Violet, Mrs. Hatch, others), and Chris Amos (Announcer, others). Rick Kubes is the Foley Operator.

It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play creative team includes Tom Burch (Set Designer), Christine Pasqual (Costume Designer), Stephanie Farina (Sound Designer). Helen Lattyak is the Production Stage Manager. The Lighting Designer is Mac Vaughey.

Jason W. Gerace is the Artistic Associate of American Theater Company, and is directing It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play for at ATC the third time. Also at ATC, Jason has Associate Directed the World Premieres of The Big Meal and Welcome to Arroyo's, assistant directed Yeast Nation and Speech & Debate; and curated The Silver Project. Other Chicago credits include this season's Opus at Redtwist Theatre as well as assistant directing Awake & Sing! At Northlight, under the direction of Amy Morton, The Overwhelming at Next Theater and The North Plan at Steppenwolf under the direction of Kimberly Senior and Sex with Strangers under the direction of Jessica Thebus at Steppenwolf. Regional directing credits include Hamlet (Oklahoma Summer Shakespeare), A Christmas Carol (Oklahoma City Theatre Co.). Jason originally hails from Anchorage, Alaska and holds an MFA in Directing from The University of Oklahoma. He is an associate member of SDC.

It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play will be performed at American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron St. in Chicago. Previews are November 25 - November 27, 2011. Press opening is Monday, November 28, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Regular performances run Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m.

Parking is available on the street and at the metered lot on the corner of Lincoln and Berenice. ATC is wheelchair accessible. Tickets are $30 in advance and $10 at the door during previews. Throughout the regular run, tickets are $35 - $50. Student and group discounts are available. ATC's box office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on performance Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on performance Sundays. For reservations or further information, call 773-409-4125 or visit www.atcweb.org.

Title: It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play

Playwright: Based on the screenplay by Frank Capra

Directed by: Artistic Associate Jason Gerace

Dates: Previews: November 25 - November 27, 2011

Press opening: Monday, November 28, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

Regular run: December 1 - December 24, 2011

Schedule: Thursdays & Fridays: 8:00pm

Saturdays: 3:00pm & 8:00pm

Sundays: 3:00pm

Location: American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron St., Chicago

Tickets: Previews: $10 rush tickets at the door, or reserved seats for $30

Regular run: Thursdays & matinees $35; Fri & Sat evenings $40

Opening night including post-show reception $50

Box Office: The Box Office is located at 1909 W Byron St., Chicago;

773.409.4125; www.atcweb.org

AMERICAN THEATER COMPANY

American Theater Company is an ensemble of artists committed to producing new and classic American stories that ask the question, "What does it mean to be an American?" We provide a truly intimate home for the community to experience meaningful stories. We foster a nurturing environment for artists to take risks and create essential work.

American Theater Company is supported by a CityArts Program 2 Grant and a Cultural Outreach Program Grant from the City of Chicago Office of Tourism & Culture, the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, Illinois Arts Council, Illinois Humanities Council, Polk Bros. Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, and Prince Charitable Trusts.

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