Welcome to the new Hartford Stage digital program! Use the "Event Guide" under the show title, find everything you need to know about It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, the Cast & Creative team, and Hartford Stage.
Dear Friends of Hartford Stage:
Welcome to Hartford Stage and to It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. We are delighted to welcome back this production, celebrating our returning cast members from last season and adding new voices to the fun.
The origin of this now famous tale is a great tale itself: in 1943 Philip Van Doren sent 200 friends as a Christmas card a short story he’d written titled “The Greatest Gift.” The short story passed through many hands and eventually landed in those of Frank Capra, the director of the film. It’s a Wonderful Life spoke to the country coming out of World War II, with a need to celebrate the invisible contributions and sacrifices made by so many individuals, and the vision of people working together to create their community.
Who among us has not underestimated how we’ve impacted the people around us? Or needed to be reminded to practice, as the saying goes, “random acts of kindness.” For us at Hartford Stage, we aim to present stories that remind us all of our humanity and connectedness to each other. We hope this story feels to you as right to this season as it does to us.
We wish you a peaceful, healthy, and kindness-filled holiday season. Thank you for joining us, and enjoy the show.
Melia Bensussen
Artistic Director 
Cynthia Rider
Managing Director
MELIA BENSUSSEN, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
CYNTHIA RIDER, MANAGING DIRECTOR
presents
Adapted by JOE LANDRY
Originally Directed By
MELIA BENSUSSEN
& RACHEL ALDERMAN
Directed By
ZOË GOLUB-SASS
Based on the story, The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern from the
screenplay by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra, and Jo Swerling
November 25 – December 24, 2022
Scenic Design
STEPHANIE OSIN COHEN
Costume Design
AN-LIN DAUBER
Lighting Design
EVAN C. ANDERSON
Sound Design
FREDERICK KENNEDY
Wig, Hair & Make-up Design
J. JARED JANAS
Dramaturg
ZOË GOLUB-SASS
Casting
ALAINE ALLDAFFER
Production Stage Manager
KELLY HARDY*
Assistant Stage Managers
CHANDALAE NYSWONGER*
THERESA STARK*
Music Director
LIAM BELLMAN-SHARPE
Assistant Director
ELENA BOHM ^
Assistant Costume Designer
SOULE GOLDEN
Assistant Lighting Designer
ELIZABETH SCHWEITZER
Associate Sound Designer
REBECCA SATZBERG
Program Dramaturgy Assistants
GAVIN DAMIAN-LORING ^
BEN HASELTINE ^
Production Assistant
AUSTIN WASHINGTON
Director of Production
BRYAN T. HOLCOMBE
General Manager
EMILY VAN SCOY
* Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
^ BFA student from our academic theater partnership with The Hartt School at the University of Hartford
The Scenic, Costume, Lighting and Sound Designers in LORT theatres are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829, IATSE.
The Directors are members of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
The video or audio recording of this performance by any means is strictly prohibited.
Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com)
Leading Season Sponsor
Season Supporter
Exclusive Holiday Production Sponsor
Special Thanks
Student Matinee Sponsor
Listed in order of appearance.
Freddie Filmore
PRICE WALDMAN*
Jake Laurents
GODFREY L. SIMMONS, JR.*
Sally Applewhite
NICOLE SHALHOUB*
Lana Sherwood
JENNIFER BAREILLES*
Harry "Jazzbo" Heywood
EVAN ZES*
Foley Sound Effects Artist
LIAM BELLMAN-SHARPE
UNDERSTUDIES
Understudies never substitute for listed actors unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the performance.
Freddy Filmore
CHARLIE B. SOUTHERN ^
Jake Laurents
EVAN FERNANDES ^
Sally Applewhite
ASHLEY POPE ^
Lana Sherwood
ALEX DEHART ^
Harry “Jazzbo” Heywood
DEAN KAPICA ^
Foley Sound Effects Artist
ERICA TRAUTMAN ^
* Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
^ BFA student from our academic theater partnership with The Hartt School at the University of Hartford
Artists subject to change.
WBFR Sound Stage A, Hartford, CT
December 24, 1946
THERE WILL BE ONE INTERMISSION.
RUN TIME:
Approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes.
PLEASE NOTE:
There will theatrical thunder sounds and strobe lights used in this production.