Harbor Lights' IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A RADIO PLAY to Open 12/6

The Harbor Lights Theater Company, led by Executive Artistic Director Tamara Jenkins and Associate Artistic Director Jay Montgomery, is presenting It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, by Joe Landry, for the holiday season.

"It's a perfect fit," says Ms. Jenkins. "The iconic story of George Bailey, Clarence the angel and Bedford Falls is magical, and for generations has captured the holiday spirit in us all."

"In our fourth season, Harbor Lights has continued to fulfill its mission of 'illuminating the human experience,' by producing shows with an empowering message, that demonstrate every human being's power to challenge and overcome all obstacles. Our most recent production, Oliver!, did this brilliantly and so will It's A Wonderful Life," continues Ms. Jenkins.

It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, is performed as a 1940's live radio broadcast in front of a studio audience. Five actors perform the dozens of characters in the radio play; the production also features a "Foley Artist" -- an actor creating all the sound effects live onstage.

This fresh, award-winning interpretation is fast becoming America's favorite holiday tradition. Backstage.com said It's A Wonderful Life has "emotional potency," and the New York Times said the show "triumphantly earns it wings." The script is an adaptation of the beloved Frank Capra film by Joe Landry, whose other works include Reefer Madness, Vintage Hitchcock, and Hollywood Babylon.

K.C. Leiber (portrays Mary Bailey) is thrilled to work on and tell such a heartfelt and timeless story. Most recently seen at Harbor Lights as Bet in Oliver! National Tours: Glinda understudy in The Wizard of Oz (NETworks, 1st National). New York: Under The Greenwood Tree (The Flea), The Wizard of Oz (MSG), Mae in The Wild Party (Gallery Players), Catherine in A View From The Bridge (June Havoc). Regional: A Christmas Carol (McCarter), The Who's Tommy (Media Theatre), Frenchy in Grease and Alice in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Forestburgh). Trent Armand Kendall (portrays Clarence, Harry, Sam Wainwright and many more...)

Trent's credits include the Los Angeles premiere of Kander & Ebb's THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (Mr. Bones) Center Theatre Group, CATS (Old Deuteronomy) North Shore Music Theater, ALYSHA (Mr. King) workshop NYC, THUNDER KNOCKING on the DOOR (Dregster) Cincinnati Playhouse, MY ONE AND ONLY (Bishop JD Montgomery), LIL ABNER (Marryin' Sam) Goodspeed Opera House, THE COLOR PURPLE (Preacher), SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE' 1st National Tours, BAT BOY (Rev. Hightower), NUNSENSE A-MEN! (Sr. Hubert), PICTURE INCOMPLETE ( Writer/Star) [Best Musical United Solo] Off Broadway, INTO THE WOODS (The Steward, u/s The Baker) Broadway, FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE (Eat Moe) London's West End, LAW & ORDER, LAW & ORDER SVU (NBC). Trent is a NAACP Theater Award nominee.

David Sitler (portrays Radio Announcer, Potter, Old Man Collins, Bridge Keeper and many more...) is thrilled to be making his debut with the Harbor Lights. He was last seen in BECKY'S NEW CAR with the Human Race Theatre in Ohio. He's been on Broadway, National tours, worked with over 25 theatre companies in the NYC area and regionally from Maine to Utah in roles from Atticus to Scrooge. He's done George and Potter in the full stage versions of WONDERFUL LIFE and ready to tackle Freddie this time around. TV credits include LAW AND ORDER- SVU and ZERO HOUR and films IN SESSION, THE CHALLENGER, MARVELOUS FISHMAN and GHETTO DAWG.

Martin Landry (portrays George Bailey) is thrilled to make his Harbor Lights debut! New York credits include Twilight: The Musical (New World Stages), Son of a Gun (Theatre Row), Dear Edwina (DR2 Theatre), The Ohmies (Peter Jay Sharp Theatre), and Brunch - The Musical (ATA - Chernuchin) He also appeared in the world premiere of Of Mice and Manhattan at the Kennedy Center, debuting previously unheard Frank Loesser songs. Other favorite theatrical credits include Pump Boys and Dinettes (L.M.), Forever Plaid (Smudge), Into the Woods (Cinderella's Prince/Wolf), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Nick Bottom), and Urinetown (Officer Lockstock). Additionally, Martin is a published composer/lyricist, and a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop.

Rebecca Baxter (portrays Violet, Rose Bailey, Zuzu, and many more...) is thrilled to be back in Staten Island. You may have seen her as Marian the Librarian a few seasons back. Her career has taken her to Broadway, National tours, leading opera companies, as well as several of the Tony award winning regional theaters throughout the country.

Director Stephen Nachamie (Foreverman in the NYMTF, Luck at The York with Faith Prince) returns to Harbor Lights after directing the hilarious I Hate Hamlet in 2010. Harbor Lights is thrilled to introduce up and coming set designer Tabitha Pease with this production.

It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play runs December 6th -- 22nd at the Veterans Memorial Hall on the grounds of Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens. 12 performances only!

Special "Kid's Day" performance Saturday, December 7th at 2 PM. Kids under 12 are 1/2 off! Backstage tours and "Foley sound artist" demo! Use the promotional code - KIDSDAY -when purchasing tickets for your children for this special performance.

Tickets are $35 - $40; $5 off for seniors and students. Groups welcome!

Purchase tickets at: www.hltc.org or Ovationtix, 866-411-8111. For more information, call: 718-273-7516. All performances at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Gardens, 1000 Richmond Terrace, SI, NY, 10301. All performances are handicapped accessible. Free parking, security patrolled premises and a Wine Bar also provided.

Watch a promo for the show below!