A.T.C. Presents IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: THE RADIO PLAY Opens 11/27

American Theater Company (ATC) continues its 2009-2010 season with the eighth annual production of It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play adapted from Frank Capra's classic film and directed by Jason W. Gerace. This year, ATC partners with WBEZ 91.5 FM Chicago Public Radio (WBEZ) to broadcast this beloved show over the radio waves. The WBEZ broadcast will air on December 6, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. as well as on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.. The stage production will run November 27-December 27, 2009, at American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron St, Chicago, IL. Press opening is Monday, November 30, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

The Chicago holiday tradition is back! ATC transforms into a 1940's radio studio to tell Capra's classic story of one man's effect on his community. This year ATC brings new life to this holiday tradition with a new cast and new Foley sound effects. Free milk and cookies are served after every show.

"I could not be more excited about the opportunity to carry the torch for a beloved Chicago holiday tradition like this one, and the chance to invigorate it with not only new cast members, but new scenes and new Foley sound effects, as well," says Gerace. "It's a Wonderful Life is a classic, yes, but its message is stunningly relevant today, and its spirit could not be more needed right now. This is a story which has brought people together time and time again for generations, and I am honored to be able to continue that tradition, and to do my part to remind people, as Clarence reminds George in the end, ‘no man is a failure who has friends.'"

"For seven years, audiences have enjoyed both the intimacy and familiarity of It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play in our little warehouse at the corner of Byron and Lincoln," says Artistic Director PJ Paparelli. "This year's cast brings back familiar faces and introduces new actors and new material never before seen. We are also very pleased to partner with WBEZ Chicago Public Radio in broadcasting the entire play on air during the holidays. We are thrilled to share our production with thousands of listeners around Chicago."

"When ATC first approached us about broadcasting It's a Wonderful Life, we jumped at the chance," says Steve Edwards, Acting Program Director for WBEZ Chicago Public Radio. "After all, what could be more fitting than bringing a fun, clever radio version of a beloved holiday classic to a real-life Chicago radio audience?"

It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play features a cast of 9 playing 40 roles, including ATC Ensemble member Kareem Bandealy (George Bailey), Bernard Balbot (Harry Bailey and others), Jesse Fisher (Violet and others), Alex Goodrich (Announcer), Mary Winn Heider (Mary), ATC Ensemble member Joe Minoso (St. Peter, Uncle Billy and Nick), Cheryl Parkes (Piano), Alan Wilder (Mr. Potter, Clarence and others).

The designers are Tom Burch (Set Designer), Stephanie Farina (Sound Designer), Katy Peterson (Lighting Designer), DJ Reed (Props), Katherine Stebbins (Costume Designer), and Erin Diener (Stage Manager).

Bios
Jason W. Gerace is Artistic Associate of American Theater Company. At ATC Jason has assistant directed Yeast Nation (Jeff Recommended) and Speech & Debate (Jeff nomination for Best Direction) under the direction of PJ Paparelli and the 2008 production of It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play under the direction of Damon Kiely; He has produced and directed the inaugural production of the Chicago Chronicle project (part of ATC's educational outreach program), directed the most recent remount of Oklahoma!, produced and directed in this year's Big Shoulders Festival, produced the first 10X10 Festival, and is curating the upcoming Silver Project, a festival of new plays by national and Chicago playwrights celebrating ATC's 25th season. Other Chicago credits include assistant directing The Overwhelming at Next Theater under the direction of Kimberly Senior (Jeff nomination for Best Production) and Sex with Strangers under the direction of Jessica Thebus at Steppenwolf's First Look Rep. Regional directing credits include Hamlet (Oklahoma Summer Shakespeare), A Christmas Carol (Oklahoma City Theatre Co.) The Miracle Worker (Theatrikos), Love Letters (Theatre Works), Antigone and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Theatre for Young People). Jason originally hails from Anchorage, Alaska and holds an MFA in Directing from The University of Oklahoma. He is married to a truly amazing woman, who makes everything he does possible to begin with. He is an associate member of SDC, and is proud to be a founding member of The Directors Group.

It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play will be performed at American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron St. in Chicago. Previews are Friday, November 27, 2009 through Saturday, November 28 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 29 at 3 p.m. Press opening is Monday, November 30, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Regular performances run Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m.

Parking is available on the street and at the metered lot on the corner of Lincoln and Berenice. ATC is wheelchair accessible. Tickets are $30 in advance and $10 at the door during previews. Throughout the regular run, tickets are $35 - $50. Student and group discounts are available. ATC's box office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on performance Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on performance Sundays. For reservations or further information, call 773-409-4125 or visit www.atcweb.org .

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