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This holiday season PlayMakers Repertory Company will treat Triangle audiences to a family-friendly live version of a treasured holiday film with its production “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” by Joe Landry.

PlayMakers, the professional theater in residence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will present the show Nov. 28-Dec. 16 in the Paul Green Theatre at the Center for Dramatic Art, 250 Country Club Road.

Show times will be 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, and 2 p.m. Sundays. For a complete schedule, more information and to purchase tickets, call (919) 962-PLAY (7529) or visit www.playmakersrep.org. Tickets are $15 to $50.

In the show, the theater becomes a 1940s radio studio (with theater-goers as the studio audience) for a live Christmas Eve broadcast performed just as James Stewart, Donna Reed and other members of the movie cast reprised their roles for radio. Then, the PlayMakers actors step into the iconic scenes from Frank Capra’s Christmas classic, assuming the roles of beloved characters George and Mary Bailey, Clarence the Angel, little Zuzu and other denizens of Bedford Falls.

The Boston Globe called the stage version “magic … a ‘wonderful’ night at the theater.” Broadway World said that “It’s a Wonderful Life” is “a fantastic show for all ages.”

Joseph Haj, PlayMakers producing artistic director, calls the play a story of redemption that resonates with young and old. “‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ has become the American ‘Christmas Carol,’ an inspirational tale that families share as an anticipated annual event,” he said. “We invite everyone to experience the true spirit of the season with this unique opportunity to see one of the classic screen’s most cherished gems come to life.” 

PlayMakers’ production of “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” is dedicated to the legacy of Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans, a respected civic and philanthropic leader, who supported education, children’s services, health care and the arts. She was a trustee of The Duke Endowment, serving as its first female chair, and a trustee of Duke University for 20 years.

In conjunction with “It’s a Wonderful Life,” PlayMakers will host “The Vision Series-Directors in Conversation,” a behind-the-scenes preview with director Nelson T. Eusebio III, along with scenic designer McKay Coble and costume designer Rachel Pollock, at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20. At the free public event in the Paul Green Theatre, participants share coffee and hors d’oeuvres provided by series sponsor Jujube Restaurant, learn about the vision for the show and get a sneak peek at the sets and costumes in progress. Reservations are appreciated. Call PlayMakers’ box office at (919) 962-7529 to RSVP.

Other special events before and during the run of “It’s a Wonderful Life” will include:

• Nov. 12, 7 p.m.: an “In the Wings” discussion with the creative team at the Durham County Library’s Southwest Regional branch, 605 Shannon Road, Durham;
• Nov. 19, 6 p.m.: a program with the director and company members at McIntyre’s Books in Fearrington Village, Pittsboro;
• Nov. 28-30, 7:30 p.m.: preview performances;
• Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m.: the opening night performance, with a complimentary gala party afterward;
• Dec. 5 and 9: free post-show discussions with the creative team;
• Dec. 7, 6 p.m: UNC’s General Alumni Association offers a pre-show reception and conversation with the artists. Call (919) 843-5115 or visit www.alumni.unc.edu to reserve tickets;
• Dec. 8, 2 p.m.: open captioned performance;
• Dec. 11: an all-access performance for attendees with special needs, with sign language interpretation and audio description; and
• Dec.15 and 16: free post-show “Mindplay” discussions sponsored by the North Carolina Psychoanalytic Society.

In the New Year, PlayMakers’ season continues with Rinde Eckert’s Obie Award-winning “And God Created Great Whales” in the PRC2 second-stage series (Jan. 9-13), followed on the main stage by Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun” performed in rotating repertory with 2012 Tony Award-winner “Clybourne Park” (Jan. 26-March 3) and the dazzling hit musical “Cabaret” (April 3-21). Then the PRC2 second stage closes with “Spring Training,” a world premiere specially commissioned by PlayMakers and Carolina Performing Arts, written and performed by acclaimed musical/spoken word ensemble Universes (April 24-28). Single tickets and season subscription packages are available.

PlayMakers is based in UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences. The Drama League has named PlayMakers one of the “best regional theatre companies in America.”

Coverage note: Media are welcome to cover “The Vision Series” preview and director’s talk at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20. Photography, videography, lights and flashes are not restricted. For assistance, call (919) 962-5359.

PlayMakers contact: For press information, interviews, photos or poster art, contact Connie Mahan, (919) 962-5359, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
College of Arts and Sciences contact: Kim Spurr, (919) 962-4093, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it