The angel gets his wings when the heartwarming “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” returns December 1-18, 2011 in the Clarence Brown Theatre’s Carousel Theatre. Back by popular demand, the production is sponsored by Stowers Machinery. Additional support is given by the Arts & Heritage Fund. Media sponsors are WBIR, WNOX, Comcast, WUOT, WUTK, Knoxville News Sentinel and B97.5. Children 12 and under see the show for $10.

The classic Frank Capra film is re-told in the format of a 1940’s radio show, complete with man-made sound effects, old-style commercials and live music. An ensemble of performers brings the more than 40 characters of this beloved holiday favorite to life.

“Audiences will be transported to a classic radio station in New York during December of 1946 thanks to the wonderful design elements created by the Clarence Brown design and technical staff. Sophisticated and classic costumes of the period will be complimented by a charming and seasonal set that will allow the audience to feel as though they are taking part in this live radio broadcast as members of the studio audience," said director Bill Jenkins.

Great fun for the whole family, this timely play is a wonderful holiday treat.

“While the journey of George Bailey is certainly an iconic and classic holiday story, the issues and goals that he espouses within the play are deeply relevant today. The idea that we as a society must strive to help those who are less fortunate is an important message to remember during the holiday season. Further, how we measure our success or failure in the world should not be based on how much money we make but, rather, on how many people we impact and touch during our lives. George is a true reminder of the humanity and self sacrifice needed to function within our constantly evolving society,” Jenkins said.

Bill Jenkins is Chair of Ball State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance where he serves as an Associate Professor of Musical Theatre, Directing, and Acting. He received his Master of Fine Arts degree in directing from Illinois State University, and also holds master and bachelor degrees from Ball State University in Speech Communications and Acting. In addition to directing at Ball State, he also has directed in such theaters as the Drury Lane Theatre, Noble Fool Theatricals, Famous Door Theatre Company, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Summer Studio Theatre Company at the Krannert Center, and the Nebraska Repertory Theatre.  

The cast is comprised of UT Theatre resident actors and UT Theatre graduate Acting students.

David Brian Alley (Jake Laurents/George) is in his 12th season as an Artist-in-Residence and member of the UT Theatre Department Acting faculty. He holds an MFA in Performance and a BA in Theatre from UT, as well as an AA in Acting from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.  He has performed in several Clarence Brown productions.  He has appeared at the PlayMakers Repertory, The Mark Taper Forum and the ImprovOlympic Theatre. David also has several film and television credits.              

Micah-Shane Brewer (Harry “Jazzbo” Heywood/Clarence/Others) is a first year MFA Acting student. For the past five years, he served as Founding Artistic Director of Encore Theatrical Company.

Johanna Dunphy (Sally Applewhite/Mary Hatch) is a first year Acting MFA candidate at UT from Philadelphia, PA.  She received her BA from Richmond the American International University in London.  This is her CBT debut.

Neil Friedman (Freddie/Mr. Potter/Others) is an Artist-in-Residence at the CBT.  His credits here include: “Moonlight & Magnolias,” “The Music Man”, “The Merry Wives of Windsor”, “Man of La Mancha”, “Charley’s Aunt”, “Born Yesterday”, “A Christmas Carol”, and “The Triumph of Love”. His Chicago area credits include: The Court Theatre, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare, Goodman Theatre, Marriott Lincolnshire, and The Peninsula Players. He is a recipient of Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Awards.  He also has performed at regional theaters throughout the country.   

Angela Graham (Lana Sherwood/Violet Bick/Others) is a first year MFA student in Acting. She received her BA in Theatre from Southern Virginia University, and an AFA in Musical Theatre from Western Wyoming College. She is the 2010 Northwest Drama Conference Musical Theatre Winner for the Kennedy Center American Theatre Festival Region 7. This is her CBT debut.

Kody Pratt (Stage Manager/Young Singer) is an undergraduate Theatre student.  Past CBT credits include “Amadeus,” and “The Music Man.”  She also has performed in New York, Atlanta, Orlando, and Los Angeles.

Jenna Purdy (Foley Artist) is a senior UT Theatre student.  CBT credits include “Phaedra,” “Amadeus,” and “Little Shop of Horrors.” She also has performed with All Campus Theater and the WordPlayers.

Billy Kyle Roach (Foley Artist) is a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee.  He spent this past summer at the Great River Shakespeare Festival in Winona, MN.  CBT credits include: “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” and “Man of La Mancha.”

Liz Stewart (U/S Foley Artist) is a senior Theatre major and Knoxville native. This is her first appearance on the CBT stage. Typically, she is found behind the scenes as a Lighting Designer and Electrician.

The designers include:

Joseph Court (Sound Designer) serves as sound engineer for the Chicago Production of the Tony Award winning musical "Million Dollar Quartet." He is also a proud company member of Mary Arrchie Theatre Company.  He received a Jeff nomination for his design for "The Unseen" at A Red Orchid Theatre, where he has also designed several shows. He has designed for Theatre Seven, Seanachi, The Gift, Lifeline, Infamous Commonwealth, Backstage, Emerald City Theatre Company and The Illinois Shakespeare Festival.

Arlene Felipe (Costume Designer) is a second year MFA candidate in Costume Design. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of South Carolina and an Associate of Science degree in Costume Design from Florida School of the Arts.

Mary Pingree (Scenic Designer) is a recent graduate of the UT MFA program in Scenic Design.  CBT credits include
“The Music Man,” “Oedipus the King,”“The Flu Season” and “The Secret Rapture.” She recently completed an intensive internship in Art Direction at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Foundation and is currently designing “Tales of Edgar Allan Poe” for the Children's Theatre of Charlotte.

Travis Gaboda (Lighting Designer) has served as the resident Master Electrician for the CBT for the past five years. He received his BFA in Theatre Design at The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. His design for this production is his first at the CBT.  His lighting designs have been see at the Cumberland County Playhouse, the Timber Lake Playhouse, and at a series of dance compilations at Austin East High School. 

Katie Wolfe Zahn (Vocal Coach) serves as the voice teacher for the UT MFA students and music director for various musicals at the CBT. Most recently she performed at the CBT in “The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” She frequently performs as a soloist with the Knoxville Symphony, Oak Ridge Symphony and Symphony of the Mountains.
She holds degrees from Belmont University and UT where she was a graduate assistant and Knoxville Opera apprentice.

Preview for “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” is Thursday, December 1 followed by Opening Night Friday, December 2. The show runs through December 18. UT faculty/staff, senior citizens, children and students receive discounts. For tickets, call the Clarence Brown Theatre box office at 865-974-5161, Tickets Unlimited at 865-656-4444 or online at www.clarencebrowntheatre.com.