IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE Opens Tonight at Ocean State Theatre Company

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), currently celebrating its fourth season in its state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick is proud to present the life-affirming holiday musical, It's a Wonderful Life. This family friendly classic, with furnishings provided by OSTC's "Partner in Design," Ethan Allen, will run at Ocean State Theatre from tonight, December 2, through December 27.

Based on the beloved 1946 film, this family friendly musical faithfully follows the familiar story of George Bailey's life from childhood dreams to midlife disappointments. After George wishes he had never been born, an angel is sent to earth to make his wish come true and we all take a journey to discover whether his time on earth has mattered at all. Cinematically scored, this musical adaptation breathes new life into a familiar story, while retaining the warmth, humor and pathos of the original. This holiday classic will be loved by devotees and newcomers alike.

Directed and staged by Producing Artistic Director Amiee Turner, with musical direction by John Jay Espino, who music directed previous OSTC productions of LES MISERABLES and The King and I, the cast includes Kevin Cirone of Woburn, Mass., and Melissa McKamie and Jef Canter of New York, who are all making their OSTC debuts in the roles of George Bailey, Mary Bailey, and the angel, Clarence. Peter Tedeschi of Woonsocket, who portrayed Alfred P. Doolittle in My Fair Lady last season, returns in the role of George's nemesis, Henry Potter and local favorite Tom Gleadow appears as Uncle Billy. Other local performers include Joshua Christensen of Warwick, Aaron Dore from Fairhaven, Jade Genga of East Greenwich, Taryn Mallard-Reid and Tobias Wilson of Providence, Kevin Killavey of Portsmouth, Brad Kirton of Coventry, Isabella Manchester and Staci Morin of Somerset, Molly Marks of Wakefield, Marion Markham of Westerly, Wesley Memery and Rudy Sanda of Cranston, Barry Pereira of Swansea, Kate Rocchio of Narragansett, Patrick Mark Saunders of East Providence and Stefani Wood of Riverside.

It's a Wonderful Life will be presented at Ocean State Theatre from December 2 - 27. Previews are scheduled for Wednesday, December 2 at 7:30 pm and Thursday, December 3 at 2:00 and 7:30 pm. All other performances will be held Wednesday (except December 16), Thursday (except December 24), Friday (except December 25), and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm, with matinees on Thursdays (except December 17 & 24), Saturdays at 2:00 pm (except December 5) and Sundays at 2:00 pm (except December 20 & 27). Special Sunday, December 20 at 12:00 noon and 5:00 pm, Tuesday, December 22 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, December 27 at 5:00 pm. Conducting Conversations Live!, a free post-show discussion hosted by WCRI's Mike Maino, will follow the 2pm performance on Sunday, December 6. The post show Piano Bar Series, hosted by Robert Miller, Jr., will continue following Friday and Saturday evening performances in the theatre's lobby on December 11, 12, 18 and 19.

The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Tickets are $39 for preview performances and $39-$59 for all other performances. Discount rates for groups of 20 or more are available by calling (401) 921-1777 x112. $30 "Rush" tickets are available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Friday from 12 noon - 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 12 noon - 4:00 pm, and from 12 noon until curtain time on performance days. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.