Artists Rep Presents IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY

This holiday season, Artists Repertory Theatre presents Joe Landry's It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, directed by Beth Harper. The limited engagement of It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is from December 6 through December 30 at Northwest Children's Theater and School.

It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is performed as a 1940s live radio broadcast to a theatre audience. Inspired by Frank Capra's classic American film It's a Wonderful Life, the staged play features six actors who perform dozens of characters, along with a Foley artist who produces all the sound effects. It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play premiered in 1996 at Stamford Center for the Arts in Stamford, Connecticut, and has since been produced around the country to critical acclaim.

This is the fourth production in Artists Rep's 2018/19 season that includes students from Portland Actors Conservatory (PAC). With the recently developed LORT LAB program, five second-year PAC students were chosen for supporting roles in Artists Rep productions to fulfill their performance credit requirements through PAC. Founded in 1985 by Artistic Director Beth Harper, PAC provides rigorous actor training that engages the mind and heart of the artist, while cultivating a spirit of lifelong investment in the arts. PAC is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre and licensed by the Oregon Department of Higher Education. PAC is a resident company of the ArtsHub at Artists Rep.

The beloved holiday staple comes to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast with the story of George Bailey. George grew up in picturesque Bedford Falls, but dreams of leaving the small town behind to see the world. Obligations and unforeseen circumstances get in the way of his aspirations and he is tied to his hometown forever as he takes over the Building & Loan from his father and his uncle. When a terrible mistake leaves George on the verge of disaster, he considers ending his life on Christmas Eve until he meets a fateful friend named Clarence. Made complete by your favorite local talent and an onstage Foley artist, It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is a fun, heartwarming delight for the whole family.

Joe Landry's plays have been produced across the country and internationally, and include It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Reefer Madness, Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play, Eve & Co., Beautiful, Hollywood Babylon, and Numb. Mr. Landry attended Playwrights Horizons/NYU, founded Second Guess Theatre Company in Connecticut, and is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America. He is currently developing new projects for the stage and screen. joelandry.com