Albright College’s Center for the Arts, in collaboration with the Brickhouse Theater Co., of Wernersville, Pa., will present a stage version of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Dec. 12 to 14, in Albright’s Wachovia Theatre.
Adapted from the screenplay by Francis Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra and Jo Swerling, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is set inside a 1940s radio station as a small ensemble of actors work together to offer a live broadcast of this heartfelt story of sacrifice and redemption.
It’s Christmas Eve in Bedford Falls, and George Bailey, the nicest guy in town, is perched atop a bridge on the brink of suicide – that is, until a guardian angel named Clarence (who hasn’t yet earned his wings), intervenes to remind George just how many lives he has touched, and how terrible life in his community would be if he had never been born.
The cast of this community collaboration includes Jon Reinhold and Lulu Lloyd, two young professional actors from New York City, who will star in the roles made famous by Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart in the 1946 film.
Albright senior John Tallarida, along with local actors Barry Ciabattoni, Kevin Fisher and Karen Reppert, round out the cast. The production is directed by Mark Flannery.
“This production is the first of what we hope is an annual tradition at Albright,” said Jeffrey Lentz, Albright artist-in-residence and artistic consultant for the play. “It’s all about bringing families together for the holidays.”
This theatre event also commemorates the 50th anniversary of Albright’s radio station, WXAC 91.3 FM.
Performances will be held on Dec. 12 at 8 p.m.; on Dec. 13 at 2:30 p.m., and 8 p.m.; and on Dec. 14 at 2:30 p.m.
For prices and tickets, call the box office at 610-921-7547 or visit www.albright.edu/centerforthearts. The Center for the Arts is located on Albright’s campus at 13th and Bern streets, Reading, Pa.
From Albright College
