'It's a Wonderful Life' Benefits Music Theatre of Connecticut

The Moss Hart Award-winning cast of MTC MainStage's "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" includes, (left to right:) Jim Schilling, Amy Russ, Kathy Calahan and D. Matt Worley. Photo: Kerry Long.

MTC MainStage, Music Theatre of Connecticut's Professional Equity Acting Company, presents an encore of its Moss Hart Award-Winning production of "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play."

Adapted for the stage by Joe Landry and directed by MTC MainStage Artistic Director Kevin Connors, this beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. Two benefit performances will be held Saturday, Dec. 15 at 2 and 8pm at MTC MainStage Studio Theatre in Westport. All proceeds to benefit Music Theatre of Connecticut and its programming.

The MTC MainStage production of "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" is the professional-division recipient of a Moss Hart Memorial Award, recently presented at The New England Theatre Conference Annual Convention. The award honors the memory of Moss Hart, dramatist and director, for his unconquerable enthusiasm for life and for his work in the theatre; and recognizes and encourages outstanding theatrical productions throughout New England of playscripts that present affirmative views of human courage and dignity, that have strong literary and artistic merit, and which in their productions, exemplify fresh, imaginative, creative treatment within the intent of the playwright. The New England Theatre Conference, in making the annual Moss Hart Memorial Award, seeks to encourage artistic growth and the highest standards of excellence in theatre.

The cast of "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" includes Kathy Calahan (Broadway's Mary Poppins), Michael O'Day (The Public Theatre's "365 Days/365 Plays"), Amy Russ (HBO's "The Sopranos"), Jim Schilling ("Dead Man Walking") and D. Matt Worley ("The Good Shepherd").

Connors is co-founder of Music Theatre of Connecticut, and has previous directed "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at Stamford Center for the Arts and the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts. Landry's play was named "One of the Top Ten Most Produced Plays in America" by American Theatre Magazine.

Tickets are $45 (side sections) and $75 (VIP center section seating and holiday gift bag). All tickets include post-show holiday party and meet and greet with cast and creative team. For reservations (suggested) or more information, call 203-454-3883 or visit www.musictheatreofct.com.