Holiday Shows Come to the Stage at A.D. Players and 4th Wall
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE AT A.D. PLAYERS AT THE GEORGE
Beloved Christmas Movie Told As Live Radio Play at A.D. Players At The George
A.D. Players at The George, will open It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play adapted by Joe Landry on Friday, November 30th.
The show runs Wednesdays through Sundays through December 23rd, with Previews on November 28 & 29th.
It’s A Wonderful Life has become a staple of the American Christmas celebration for years.
In this version however, the timeless story takes a new turn as a 1940’s radio broadcast. With the help of a troupe of six radio actors portraying a few dozen characters, and a live foley artist, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds over the airwaves on Christmas Eve.
Local actors Joel Sandel, Sean Patrick Judge, Christina Kelly and Orlando Arriaga join A.D. Player Resident actors Christy Watkins, Patty Tuel Bailey, and Craig Griffin for this twist on the traditional story.
“It’s A Wonderful Life has become an iconic Christmas story, but at its core it speaks to the part of us that needs to believe we have value, that we can make a difference, that our life matters. The radio play version adds a new layer of humor and fun to an already familiar story. I’m excited to work with this talented cast, and our designers are already knocking it out of the park!” said Interim Artistic Director Kevin Dean, who is directing.
Performances are Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets are priced at $15-70 and can be purchased online www.adplayers.org/its-a-wonderful-life-a-live-radio-play at or via The George Theater Box Office at (713) 526-2721.
4th Wall Continues Season of Houston Premieres with Kate Hamill’s Pride & Prejudice 
Longtime home for cutting-edge live performances, 4th Wall Theatre Company is thrilled to follow the success of September’s “Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train” with another Houston premiere, “Pride and Prejudice.”
Kate Hamill’s new adaptation of the novel by Jane Austen reframes the classic inside a modern lens, creating a playful comedy that feels as timely today as it did in Regency-era England.
Hamill’s lively work ran Off-Broadway last year to critical acclaim and is now receiving its Houston debut, just in time for the holiday season.
“We were so happy to see audiences respond the way they did to our first show of the season. It nearly broke box office records for attendance, and we’re now excited to challenge our supporters with something entirely different,” says Kim Tobin-Lehl, director of “Pride and Prejudice” and Co-Artistic Director of 4th Wall.
“This play accomplishes what only the best ones can, bringing you close to tears with laughter and still asking you to examine why you’re laughing. Those are the types of stories we love to tell here at 4th Wall,” Tobin-Lehl said.
Hamill is one of the country’s most produced playwrights and formerly penned a smash adaption of “Sense and Sensibility” for Bedlam Theatre in NYC. Her “Pride and Prejudice” maintains much of the same rollicking energy, but with the voice of an author writing in the #metoo era.
“The bottom line is, you’re going to have fun at this show,” said Tim Richey, 4th Wall’s new Managing Director.
Richey adds, “It’s a perfect piece for you and almost your whole family this holiday season.”
4th Wall’s production features a cast and crew full of Houston favorites, including actors Justin Doran, Philip Hayes, Philip Lehl, Leslie Lenert, Rachael Logue, Courtney Lomelo, Jeff McMorrough, and Amy Mire.
The show will run November 29 – December 22, 2018, at Studio 101, Spring Street Studios at 1824 Spring Street.
Shows run at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays and at 3 pm on Sundays. Tickets run from $17 to $53, with a Pay-What-You-Can performance Monday, December 17. There will be cast talk-backs following the Sunday matinees on December 9 and December 16. The play contains some adult language and themes.
Tickets are available on 4th Wall’s website, www.4thwalltheatreco.com.