It's a Wonderful Life - A Live Radio Play at Hampton Theatre Company

“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”

Live On Stage in Quogue December 16-18

The Hampton Theatre Company will present a three-day holiday presentation of “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” on the stage of the Quogue Community Hall for one weekend only, December 16-18.

Adapted by playwright Joe Landry from the classic film produced and directed by Frank Capra, this family-friendly short version (approximately 45 minutes) will recreate for live audiences the high-wire, high-spirited energy of a ‘40s-era radio troupe, complete with music and sound effects generated both by actors onstage and recordings in the booth.  The production features eight actors from the HTC family, each performing multiple roles in period costumes on a set depicting the studio of the fictional “WBFR” radio station in New York City.

Presented as a Christmas Eve installment of HBFR’s weekly “Playhouse of the Air” series, “It’s a Wonderful Life” serves up the heartwarming story of George Bailey, a despairing building-and-loan officer in the fictional town of Bedford Falls, NY, and the guardian angel, Clarence, who is assigned to help George see the light and cherish the life he has.

Members of the “It’s a Wonderful Life” cast include actors who are well-known to HTC audiences from their work in past productions.  The ensemble includes Andrew Botsford, Rosemary Cline, Matthew Conlon, Rebecca Edana, Terrence Fiore, Amanda Griemsmann, George Loizides and Roger Moley, each playing denizens of Bedford Falls and/or in-studio radio announcers. The production is directed by Andrew Botsford; lighting design by Sebastian Paczynski; sound by Seamus Naughton; and costumes by Teresa Lebrun.

“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" will be performed at the Quogue Community Hall (125 Jessup Avenue in Quogue) on Friday, December 16 at 7; Saturday, December 17 at 2:30; and Sunday, December 18 at 2:30. Patrons are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy complimentary hot cider, hot chocolate, and cookies served before the show.

All tickets are $10, available at the Hampton Theatre Company website at hamptontheatre.org or by calling 631-653-8955. 

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Coming up in 2023: The 38th HTC season continues with two more full-length productions: “The Lifespan of a Fact” (March 16-April 2) and “The Portuguese Kid” (May 25-June 11). For more information and tickets, visit www.hamptontheatre.org or call 631-653-8955.