Audio Production of 'It's a Wonderful Life' to be Streamed, Presented by the Connecticut Repertory Theatre

Connecticut Repertory Theatre continues it’s 2020-21 virtual season with its first radio play, an
audio production of the holiday classic, It’s A Wonderful Life. This audio play, which is presented as a 1940s radio broadcast, is written by Philip Grecian and directed by UConn Assistant Professor Jennifer Scapetis-Tycer.

All performances will be recorded then streamed online, beginning on Thursday evening November 12 at 7:30pm, and continuing through Saturday, November 21 at 8:00pm, with eight total showings. There is an ASL interpreted performance scheduled for Saturday afternoon, November 21, at 2pm.

It’s A Wonderful Life follows the struggles of George Bailey, who faces the challenges of his life on
Christmas Eve, just after the conclusion of World War II. He is in such distress that his guardian angel Clarence is sent to help him through the difficult times.
Professor Scapetis-Tycer, who teaches Voice, Speech, and Dialects in the Department of Dramatic Arts, engaged the cast and designers in extensive discussions about the timeless themes in the play. They found themselves “talking about community at first rehearsal, and what a gift it is to do a play that celebrates community at a time when we need community so badly, and when we are trying to have community amidst the difficulties of the pandemic,” said Scapetis-Tycer.
Scapetis-Tycer and the artists also talked a great deal about life, since the word is so prominent in the title of the play. She noted that it seems many of us share a common experience, “that 'life is what happens when you are busy making plans,’ and that often that unexpected life is valued and treasured. I think it is that recognition of the value of the lives of many of us, the ones that didn't go as planned but are nonetheless wonderful, that I find the most touching and human theme of the play. I find it affirming in ways that many other stories, (even) the ones of people we consider exceptional, miss.”
A cast of 14 actors plays over 60 roles and includes two AEA actors; Thom Sesma and Lisa Wolp. 

Special sound effects were developed to enhance the audience experience of this performance. Adding to the classic feel of the golden age of radio drama, the play includes several customized commercials that were developed specifically for the CRT production.

Ticket prices for It’s A Wonderful Life are $10 for students, $14 for seniors, and UConn faculty & staff, and $16 for the general public. All ticket prices include a $1 processing fee. Ticket purchasers will receive a link and passcode via email 24 hours prior to the performance, which will allow access to the audio performance at the stated time.


The complete schedule includes evening performances, on Thursday, November 12 at 7:30 pm, on
Friday, November 13 at 8:00pm, Saturday, November 14 at 8:00pm, Wednesday, November 18 at
7:30pm, Thursday, November 9 at 7:30pm, Friday, November 20 at 8:00pm, and Saturday, November 21 at 8:00pm. A matinee performance is offered at 2:00pm on Saturday, November 21. This matinee performance includes ASL Interpretation for patrons with hearing impairments. Post-show talkbacks are scheduled along with the performances on the evening November 19 and the matinee on November 21.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit crt.uconn.edu or call 860-486-2113.

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Submitted by Somers, NY

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