It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is a stage play written by American playwright Joe Landry. The play is an adaptation of the 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life written by Frank Capra, Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, and Jo Swerling, which was based on The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern. The play has received critical praise and has been cited as one of the most produced plays in the United States, popular with schools and community theatres.
The play is set at the fictional WBFR radio station in Manhattan, New York, with a small group of actors playing multiple roles from the story using sound affects and props.The play will have its Broadway debut beginning November 4, 2026 at the Broadhurst Theatre.
Synopsis In 1946, a small band of actors gather on Christmas Eve to perform the story It's a Wonderful Life live on the set of the WBFR radio station broadcast from Manhatthan, New York.
Original cast and characters CharacterBroadway (2026)Jake Laurents as George Bailey & OthersAndrew RannellsSally Applewhite as Mary Hatch Bailey & OthersMegan HiltyHarry Heywood as Clarence Odbody & OthersTituss BurgessFreddie Filmore as Mr. Potter & Others Harry HamlinLana Sherwood as Violet Bick & OthersLisa RinnaThe Stage Manager / Foley ArtistTBA
Production history The play was first performed at the Stamford Center for the Arts in 1996. Playwright Joe Landry adapted the story into two versions, a 90-minute and 40-minute version. Landry had initially adapted the story into a traditional full length play, however he was told it would be too hard to produce, requiring over 25 actors and a large budget. Inspired by Woody Allen's film Radio Days, Landry rewrote his script to be set at a radio station, with actors playing multiple roles and only needing one set design space. Most of the original production crew were members of the acting company he founded, the Second Guess Theatre Company.
The show has become a staple of holiday entertainment in Chicago, first started by the American Theatre Company (now the American Blues Theater Company) who have produced it yearly since 2002. The Chicago production was directed by Marty Higginbotham.
Broadway (2026) The play will premiere on Broadway in 2026, directed by Jerry Zaks. Previews will begin November 4, 2026 at the Broadhurst Theatre, with an opening date set for November 18. The play is set for a limited run to end January 3, 2027 and will star Megan Hilty, Andrew Rannells, Titus Burgess, Harry Hamlin, and Lisa Rinna.
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