Holiday Classic IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE to Play Patchogue Theatre

Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts (PTPA) is proud to present "It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play," written by Joe Landry, on Nov. 26, the Saturday following Thanksgiving, also known as Small Business Saturday, at 3 p.m. Joe Landry's fresh interpretation of this nostalgic classic is fast becoming America's favorite new holiday tradition. The award-winning adaptation has been named one of the top ten most produced plays in the country by American Theatre Magazine.

On Nov. 26, theatre goers will step back in time to the 1940s and become the live studio audience for a special radio broadcast of the timeless American holiday favorite, "It's A Wonderful Life." True to Frank Capra's cinematic classic, everyman George Bailey must learn that "no man is a failure who has friends" (and a little divine intervention), when he must face off against local robber baron (and all around curmudgeon) Henry F. Potter.

Long before iPods and Netflix, and even before network television, broadcast radio was America's favorite pastime. Families would gather around and be entertained with nothing more than voices, sound effects, a good story and their imaginations filling in the details. Experience "It's a Wonderful Life" as you have never seen (or heard) before, live and in color with five actors performing the voices of dozens of characters and a foley artist creating the sound effects with familiar, yet unexpected objects.

Prior to the 3 p.m. performance, there will be a free "Library in the Lobby" holiday story time for children and their parents at 10:30 a.m. with the overall theme of giving and being thankful this holiday season. Also as a part of Downtown Patchogue's Small Business Saturday activities, the Theatre will host photos with Santa in the Theatre Lobby from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Patchogue Theatre will be accepting donations of non-perishable food items in exchange for a free photo session with Santa that will benefit the Patchogue Neighbors INN, a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization that addresses the issues of hunger and homelessness on Long Island by providing food, shelter, long-term housing and supportive services in a dignified and respectful manner. The Patchogue Village Christmas Parade is also the same day and begins at 6 p.m. on Main Street.

This special presentation of "It's A Wonderful Life" is directed by Gene Durney and stars Lauren Ware, Tony Butera, Dennis Hartin, John Castiglione and Cindy Clifford of WALK 97.5FM's "WALK Breakfast Club with Mark and Cindy;" with foley effects by Leer Leary.

Tickets for "It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" are available online, by phone or at the box office. Ticket prices range from $18 to $35 plus the ticket service fee. For more information on this special production of "It's A Wonderful Life," visit PatchogueTheatre.org or call the Box Office at 631-207-1313.

Patchogue Theatre first opened in 1923 as the largest theatre in Suffolk County. It still is, with the installation of 1,104 brand new seats during the 2016 renovation. Saved by Village of Patchogue in 1996 and lovingly restored it to its original grandeur, this beautiful and historic venue was in use 230 days with over 150,000 in attendance for its 2014-2015 season. PTPA is an independent community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that leases the building from the Village of Patchogue and covers all of the operating costs without any subsidies from the Village. PTPA's leadership consists of a volunteer board of directors and a small professional staff. Patchogue Theatre continues to thrive thanks to the hard work of over 80 volunteers as well as the businesses, funding agencies and individuals who support PTPA by contributing their time and resources. Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts is located at 71 East Main Street, Patchogue, N.Y.

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