Hunter Foster is at the helm of Bucks County Playhouse’s moving and delightful production of the popular holiday classic, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry, featuring musical staging by Jen Cody, which has performances at Bucks County Playhouse (70 S. Main Street, New Hope, PA) through December 27, 2015.
Maggie Lakis, Brandon Ellis, Garth Kravits, Wayne Wilcox, Whitney Bashor and Kevin Pariseau in ‘It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play’ at Buck’s County Playhouse through December 27, 2015. Photo by Mandee Kuenzle
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is inspired by the classic Frank Capra classic film of the same name. Performed as a 1940s live radio broadcast in front of a “studio audience,” It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play tells the story of idealistic George Bailey as he considers his demise one fateful Christmas Eve. The story comes to captivating life with the help of an ensemble that brings over two dozen characters to the stage.
Garth Kravits, Whitney Bashor, Wayne Wilcox and Maggie Lakis. Photo by Mandee Kuenzle
It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play features Wayne Wilcox as Jake Laurents, Brandon Ellis as Harry “Jazzbo” Heywood, Maggie Lakis as Lana Sherwood, Whitney Bashor as Sally Applewhite, Garth Kravits as Butch Popkins/ Foley Artist and Kevin Pariseau as Freddie Filmore, who also serves as musical director.
Wayne Wilcox, Garth Kravits, Whitney Bashor, Maggie Lakis and Brandon Ellis. Photo by Mandee Kuenzle
Check out what the critics are saying:
“As far as enchanting holiday entertainment is considered, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at Bucks County Playhouse may just be the warm mug of cocoa you’re looking for this time of year. Wayne Alan Wilcox portrays a charming and genuine George Bailey. He towers idealistically above the rest of the cast and beams with affection for the delightful Whitney Bashor in the role of Mary (among others), his adoring wife. Maggie Lakis lends a unique and comical touch to each of her many personas, most notably the precious Zuzu who caught a cold on the way home from school while cradling a precious flower. Brandon J. Ellis and Kevin Pariseau skillfully cover most of the remaining characters including guardian angel Clarence and the dastardly Mr. Potter, respectively. But keep your eyes on the busy Garth Kravits behind the foley station. With a table full of miscellany, he creates the footsteps, wind howls, door slams, and car horns that give the radio show its life.” DCMetroTheaterArts
“The show is a crowd-pleaser that has it all — laughter, tears, a love story, and even some songs. The whole cast is terrific, especially at balancing the fun of the radio station setting, while also finding the heart and humor of It’s a Wonderful Life.” centraljersey.com
Brandon Ellis, Garth Kravits, Whitney Bashor, Wayne Wilcox, Maggie Lakis and Kevin Pariseau. Photo by Mandee Kuenzle
The production will play the following schedule: Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. The Playhouse is also offering a special matinee performance discount for Christmas Week performances. All tickets in the mid-orchestra (blue section) are $40 for 2 p.m. performances on December 22-24. Santa Claus will be in the lobby before the show to greet those attending the performance. There is no evening performance on Christmas Eve and no performances on Christmas Day. For full details, and to purchase tickets, please visit buckscountyplayhouse.org or call 215-862-2121.
Brandon Ellis, Garth Kravits, Whitney Bashor, Wayne Wilcox, Maggie Lakis and Kevin Pariseau. Photo by Mandee Kuenzle
Photo Flash: Saturday Intermission Pics, 12/20- DADDY LONG LEGS, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, and More
Bucks Local News: Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope stages a holiday classic with a twist
Buckscountycouriertimes.com: ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ gets radio treatment at Bucks County Playhouse
The Morning Call: Bucks County Playhouse stages radio play of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
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Lia Chang. Photo by Garth Kravits
Lia Chang is an award-winning filmmaker, a Best Actress nominee, a photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and Hide and Seek. She is profiled in Examiner.com, Jade Magazine and Playbill.com.
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