CATCO Presents IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, 11/23-12/12

The holidays are not complete without certain traditions - Aunt Mabel's fruitcake, a cup of eggnog, and a heartwarming rendition of It's A Wonderful Life on late-night TV. This beloved American holiday classic adapted for the stage by Joe Landry will captivate audiences as an ensemble of actors brings dozens of characters to life in a 1940s radio broadcast, created live on stage at CATCO Nov. 23-Dec. 12.
 
Theatre-goers will experience the story of idealistic George Bailey as he struggles to cope with misfortune and considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve at the Vern Riffe Center's Studio One Theatre, 77 S. High St.
 
"The show's radio play format, in which five actors play the entire population of Bedford Falls, provides a heartwarming revision of a timeless classic," said Steven C. Anderson, CATCO-Phoenix Artistic Director. "In these uncertain times, we often look for the familiar to reassure us that better times are ahead of us. The number of revivals of popular plays and adaptations of familiar films that are best-sellers on Broadway and on London's West End attest to the fact that the theatre-going public seek an unexpected twist on well-known stories. We hope that It's A Wonderful Life: A Radio Play will provide just that."
 
The radio play version of It's A Wonderful Life has become a tradition at many regional theatres nationwide. Says Anderson: "Its comedic, yet poignant, themes do not mask one of the central questions we ask from all drama, 'Who am I and what is my place in the world?' George Bailey asks that questions and receives the answer when Clarence, an angel bent on earning his wings, shows him what the world would be like if he had not been a positive force."
 
The Chicago Sun-Times calls It's A Wonderful Life "one of the best holiday shows around ... a fresh and inventive way of reconnecting with a classic story of love and redemption."
 
Running concurrently in the Studio Three Theatre will be David Sedaris' one-act comedy, The Santaland Diaries, Dec. 2-26. CATCO favorite Jon Putnam reprises his role as Crumpet the elf in the perversely hilarious memoir of Sedaris' experiences from working as an elf at Macy's Santaland in New York City during the busiest retail time of the year. The show's sponsor is Macy's. All tickets are $35.
 
"By offering both It's A Wonderful Life: A Radio Play and The Santaland Diaries, we're providing central Ohioans with theatre options for everyone this holiday season," said T.J. Gerckens, CATCO-
 
Phoenix managing director. "It's A Wonderful Life is a new and fresh version of a timeless classic - perfect for the entire family. Santaland appeals to adult theatre-goers who want to experience an irreverent take on the holiday season."
 
The It's A Wonderful Life cast includes Rick Clark (George), who has appeared in numerous CATCO productions, most recently the theatre organization's highly acclaimed production of The Seafarer last holiday season. He is joined by Mary Gray (Bedford Falls women), who returns to the CATCO stage after a 10-year hiatus. The remaining three members of the ensemble are newcomers to CATCO: Stanzi Davis (Mary), a student of Otterbein University's bachelor of fine arts acting program; Liam Cronin (Potter, Joseph and others), who recently graduated from The Ohio State University; and Don Ervin (Harry, Clarence and others), a 30-year theatre veteran who has performed in more than 200 productions.
 
Putnam will direct the production. He has acted in, directed, stage managed or designed sound for nearly 100 CATCO productions. Last season he directed Evie's Waltz.

The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, education excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. CATCO-Phoenix also appreciates the support of The Leo J. Marks and Bernhart J. Mertz Funds of the Columbus Foundation, assisting donors and others in strengthening our community for the benefit of all of its citizens, and the Greater Columbus Arts Council, supporting the city's artists and arts organizations since 1973.