Passage Theatre is excited to present a staged reading of the beloved holiday story “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Staged as a radio play, complete with sound effects produced onstage, this performance is both a mini-fundraiser for Trenton’s Barrymore Award-winning professional theatre company and a chance to join in the holiday spirit.
On Christmas Eve, a despairing George Bailey decides it would be better for everyone if he’d never been born. When an angel named Clarence sets out to prove him wrong, George – and the audience – soon learn the impact one life can have on countless others.
Artistic Director C. Ryanne Domingues directs Joe Landry’s popular adaptation of the classic Frank Capra film. The cast includes familiar faces of Passage’s past, present, and future: June Ballinger, Kara Jönsson, Damion Parran, Danny Viola and David Lee White. Special guest Sarah Dash of “Labelle” will lead a holiday sing-along after the performance, with a holiday cookie contest to follow. “It’s a Wonderful Life” will be performed on Dec. 8 at 5:30 p.m., following a 5 p.m. reception.
“It’s a Wonderful Life is one of my favorite stories, and we are so excited to share it with our community,” Domingues said. “This event is going to be a fun night of food, caroling and laughter. We wanted to host something that would bring people together for the holidays, and leave them with a feeling of warmth and hope for the New Year. Plus, it’s a great way to celebrate our Passage family from over the years. I can’t wait to have everyone together on one stage.”
Tickets are $50. Student and community discounts available. To purchase tickets, call 609-392-0766 or visit www.passagetheatre.org. The Mill Hill Playhouse is located at 205 E. Front St., at the corner of Montgomery Street, in Trenton. Free on-street parking.
Passage Theatre’s mainstage season is made possible in part by the N.J. State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the NEA; the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation; the City of Trenton; WIMG 1300; The Curtis McGraw Foundation; The James Kerney Foundation; PNC Bank; Janssen Pharmaceuticals; Mary O. Borden Foundation; Otsuka Pharmaceutical; The Garfield Foundation; The Bunbury Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation; NJ Council for the Humanities; The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey; The Shubert Foundation; and Mary G. Roebling Foundation.