Vagabond Theatre Company to Bring Holiday Radio Play 'IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE' to The Bijou

The Vagabond Theatre Company (VTC) has announced that The Bijou Theatre, located at 275 Fairfield Ave. in Bridgeport, will be the venue for the launch of their 2017/18 Season.

Their sophomore season as an independent troupe sees them make a holiday return to their former home after coming to an arrangement with The Bijou's new General Manager, Gary Peterson.

"The Bijou Theatre is a very special place, and I am thrilled to be able to bring our work and our theater family back to Bridgeport. The attraction of the Bijou is infectious. Magic happens there!" said Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director, Tanya Feduik-Smith.

"Gary has great plans for The Bijou, and we are grateful to be included in his diverse programming. Once we relaunched as VTC, we had hoped to return to the vibrant arts and entertainment community of Downtown Bridgeport in a few years' time. To be able to come back and work in this beautiful, historic theatre so soon is very exciting." Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director John R Smith Jnr. continued.

"I'm very happy that the Bijou will offer this unique holiday entertainment!" added Mr. Peterson.

They'll make their return to Bridgeport with a Christmas Special, It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Show, adapted from the classic American film by Fairfield native, Joe Landry, and directed by John R Smith Jnr.

This unique take on the beloved, heartwarming story of George Bailey and the granting of his bleak and desperate Christmas wish by his guardian angel, Clarence Oddbody, shifts the action from the silver screen to the WBFR radio studios on Christmas Eve 1946. Here a handful of actors are at their mics, broadcasting in front of a studio audience, performing as dozens of characters, all while accompanied on stage by a live sound effects artist. The play premiered in 1996 at Stamford Center for the Arts, and has since been produced around the country.

It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play runs one weekend only - December 15-17, 2017.
Featuring: Juan Ayala, Betzabeth Castro, John T Lizsewski, Rachel Schulte and Ian C Smith, with Ainsley Andrade as the Foley Artist.

Following the 5 pm show on Sunday December 17, VTC will welcome the playwright for a post-show talkback with the audience. Mr. Landry will join cast members and the VTC Production Team for a discussion of his adaptation of George Bailey's glimpse into the "What If" and a very healthy dose of Holiday Cheer.

The Bijou offers a central section of Theater Seating with Cabaret Tables ringing the perimeter of the floor level and in two Mezzanine Boxes at its rear. A full bar and concessions are available before and after events and during intermission. Seating is General Admission, with tiered pricing based on these seating options. Friday and Saturday prices range from $20-35. Sunday ranges from $30-45, which includes the performance and talkback.

Tickets can be purchased through The Bijou website, www.BijouTheatreCT.com. More information on the playwright can be found on his website at www.joelandry.com.

The Vagabond Theatre Company of Greater Bridgeport is a not-profit theatre troupe dedicated to creating thought- provoking, emotional, and entertaining productions which acknowledge, explore and dissect social issues. As well as identifying, developing, and supporting new artists on and offstage.

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