It’s been 80 years since Jimmy Stewart transformed into George Bailey, the man who never could escape the small town of Bedford Falls, in “It’s a Wonderful Life” — and the film still remains a holiday staple.
Now, the Christmas classic is heading to Broadway.
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ heads to Broadway
“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” which has frequently been staged in local and regional theaters across the U.S. since its 1996 premiere, is making a Broadway debut.
Playwright Joe Landry initially created the stage version for a friend to direct at a high school.
“I never dreamed that the little play we started together would travel for decades, be embraced by theaters around the country, and eventually arrive on Broadway,” Landry shared in a statement, per a press release. “I’m deeply grateful to (director) Jerry Zaks, our producers, creative team, and extraordinary cast for bringing it to the Broadhurst (theater). It’s something I’m still trying to take in.”
In the stage adaptation, the performers stand in front of microphones and act out the story of “It’s a Wonderful Life” as if they were broadcasting for a live radio program in the 1940s. The theater audience becomes the live studio audience.
The Broadway production has a small cast — five actors and two standbys — to bring the story to life.
Andrew Rannells, who originated the role of Elder Kevin Price in the 2011 Broadway musical “The Book of Mormon,” takes on George Bailey. Megan Hilty, who was the guest artist for the 2021 Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert, stars as George’s wife, Mary.
Other cast members include Tituss Burgess (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”) as the angel Clarence, who helps George Bailey recognize the value of his life; Harry Hamlin (“Mad Men,” “L.A. Law”) as the corrupt town banker Mr. Potter; and Lisa Rinna (“Days of Our Lives”) as George’s childhood friend Violet.
Burgess, Hamlin and Rinna will each take on several other roles in the production, and there will also be an artist who creates sound effects live, per Broadway News.
The Broadway production begins previews at the Broadhurst Theatre, which recently housed the Neil Diamond musical “A Beautiful Noise,” on Nov. 4. The official opening for the limited engagement is Nov. 18, with a final curtain on Jan. 3.
”This story has touched the hearts of millions for generations, and I’m thrilled to now be bringing it to the Broadway stage this holiday season with this sensational cast of musical theater, television, and comedy greats," director Jerry Zaks said in a press release. “This production’s unique format as a radio play calls back to the charm of a bygone era, while also folding in exciting surprises to thrill modern audiences.”
A look back at Megan Hilty with the Tabernacle Choir
Hilty’s role in “It’s a Wonderful Life” comes five years after her debut with the Tabernacle Choir for the annual Christmas concert on Temple Square.
The actress — who starred in NBC’s musical drama “Smash,” and CBS shows including “The Good Wife” and “The Good Fight” — previously told the Deseret News she was “overjoyed” to be a part of the concert.
“Let’s just say I cleared everything so that I could be here,” Hilty said at the time.
Due to the pandemic, Hilty performed a Celtic Christmas-themed concert for a limited audience of about 4,000 at the Conference Center, alongside actor/narrator Neal McDonough.
“There is something about standing in this sea of gorgeous voices that are so magnificently trained to sing together in unison,” she said of the Tabernacle Choir. “I’m having a little bit of a problem articulating it because it’s a feeling more than anything, and it’s incredibly powerful to stand in such close proximity of all of that talent and all of that excellent musicianship and then to get to sing with them. It’s truly an experience I can’t quite put into words, but it feels so decadent.”