Hamptons Theatre Group Kicking Off Holiday Season With Beloved Classic

Miracle on 34th Street, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Scrooge, Elf, White Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Christmas Carol, and It’s a Wonderful Life. What do these films have in common? They’re cherished holiday season classics, of course. If you and your family can’t make it through the season of giving without watching Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life at least once, you’re definitely going to want to take notice of this upcoming show.

Released during the Yuletide season of 1946, It’s a Wonderful Life takes a look at the life of George Bailey (James Stewart), who wishes he had never been born. An angel (Henry Travers) descends upon earth to fulfill George’s wish, but after making the declaration, George starts to grasp how many lives he has changed and made a difference in, and how they would be altered if he was never there.

East End fans of the film can see the Christmas fantasy comedy-drama during a special presentation of Joe Landry’s adaptation, brought to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast at the Southampton Cultural Center. “The beloved classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, literally springs to life in Joe Landry’s clever take on the granted wish of George Bailey of Bedford Falls,” shared Michael Disher, who will direct the Center Stage at Southampton Cultural Center production. “Produced and written as a live radio show, Landry’s adaptation gets to the heart of the story and aurally and visually recreates an era of hope and understanding, assisted by sound effects and an actor’s vocal prowess only, It’s a Wonderful Life relies upon story and storytelling only.”

It’s a Wonderful Life will feature Daniel Becker, Rich Gardini, Colette Gilbert, Kristin Guldi, Barbara Jo Howard, Joan Lyons, Bill Kitzerow, Chris McCLain, Deborah Marshall, Robert Nelson, Tramar Pettaway, Amie Sponza, Kristin Whiting, Scout Whiting, Scott Wilson and Edna Winston.

For those looking to pair some holiday spirit with something extra sweet, make sure to stop by the Center Stage’s Second Annual Cookie Walk before or after the broadcast to pick up a few homemade goodies.

Performances of Joe Landry’s It’s a Wonderful Life, a Live Radio Play will take place on Friday, November 20th at 7 p.m., Saturday, November 21st at 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sunday, November 22nd at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., Friday, November 27th at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, November 29th at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students under 21.

Southampton Cultural Center is located at 25 Pond Lane in Southampton. For more information, call 631-287-4377 or visit www.scc-arts.org.