It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play

American Theater Company (ATC) continues its 2008-09 season with the sixth annual production of It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play adapted from Frank Capra’s classic film and directed by Damon Kiely. The production will run December 4 -December 28, 2008, at American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron St, Chicago, IL.  Press opening is Monday, December 8, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

The Chicago holiday tradition is back! The classic story based on the Frank Capra masterpiece is lovingly performed as a period radio play complete with commercial breaks and live Foley sound effects. ATC's celebrated Ensemble brings the town of Bedford Falls to life, with free milk and cookies after every performance.

“Helping to create this production was one of the first things I ever did as Artistic Director and undoubtedly my greatest success”, says Damon Kiely. “It’s a Wonderful Life is a universally relevant story about the redemptive power of hope, made even timelier now with its story about a man who’s lost his way because of his economic hardship. I'm thrilled to return to this piece, which I believe is one of the best stories about the American Dream ever written.”

It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play  features a cast of nine playing 40 roles, including Stef Tovar (George Bailey), John Möhrlein (Mr.Potter and Clarence), Sean Okerberg (Foley Operator), James Lusk (Announcer), Sadieh Rifai (Violet, Zuzu), Casey Campbell (Harry Bailey and others), and John Sterchi (St. Peter, Uncle Billy and Nick).

The designers are Tom Burch (Set Designer), Michelle Julazadeh (Costumes), and Katy Peterson (Lighting Designer). Joseph Heaton is Stage Manager.

Damon Kiely (Director) served as the Artistic Director of American Theater Company from 2002 to 2007. Directing credits at American Theater Company include Oklahoma! (Nominated for 6 Jeff Awards including Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical), The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, Orpheus Descending, Kid-Simple, A View from the Bridge, Strictly Dishonorable, and The Hairy Ape. He directed TimeLine Theatre's season opener, Weekend by Gore Vidal. He is an Assistant Professor of Directing and Acting at The Theatre School at DePaul University where he has directed There's a Boy in the Girls Bathroom, Hurrah for the Next Who Dies and A Streetcar Named Desire.  Kiely has also produced, directed and taught in New York City. His directing credits include work for Public Theatre, New York Theatre Workshop, the Ontological Theater, Adobe Theater Company, PS122, Ensemble Studio Theater and New Dramatists. Damon also served as the Artistic Director for Real Time Theater and was a Producing Director at the Ontological-Hysteric Theater as well as the Associate Artistic Director for the Children's Theater of Maine. He is a winner of the 2000-02 NEA/TCG Career Directing Program, the 2000 Drama League Fall Directing Program and the 1997 Princess Grace Award.