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Rannells, Hilty, Burgess to star in Broadway's It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

A limited Broadway run of It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, directed by Jerry Zaks, was announced with Andrew Rannells, Megan Hilty, Tituss Burgess, Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna. Previews begin 4 November at the Broadhurst Theatre.

2 outlets · 1L · 1C · 0R First reported Account updated
Image: Deadline
Image: The A.V. Club

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The story, neutrally told

It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play has been announced for Broadway this holiday season, directed by Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks. Andrew Rannells leads as George Bailey, with Megan Hilty as Mary Bailey, Tituss Burgess as Clarence and others, Harry Hamlin as Mr. Potter and others, and Lisa Rinna as Violet and others. Previews begin Wednesday, 4 November at the Broadhurst Theatre, with opening night on Wednesday, 18 November, for a limited nine-week run through Sunday, 3 January 2027.

The show is set in a 1940s radio studio, where actors perform Frank Capra's film live on air, complete with a foley artist and holiday carols, according to a press release. Only five actors are announced, so all but the two leads play multiple roles; The A.V. Club notes the radio-play format, first performed in 1996 by playwright Joe Landry, makes it easier for actors to double up on parts, which keeps costs down. Zaks said the story has touched millions for generations and that the radio-play format calls back to a bygone era while adding surprises for modern audiences.

The film was released in 1946 and based on Philip Van Doren Stern's 1943 short story The Greatest Gift; it was nominated for five Academy Awards, and 2026 is its 80th anniversary. The design team includes Santo Loquasto (costumes and sets), Kenneth Posner (lighting) and Palmer Heffernan (sound), with music direction by Andy Einhorn.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left1 outlet

Framing
The A.V. Club presents it as the long-overdue Broadway debut of a familiar story, with context on the radio-play format.
Emphasis
Format origins (Joe Landry, 1996) and the small five-person cast.
Leaves out or plays down
Opening night date, director, designers and producers.
For example
“somehow, It’s A Wonderful Life has not yet come to the Broadway stage” — The A.V. Club

Centre1 outlet

Framing
Deadline runs a press-release style casting announcement.
Emphasis
Cast credits and awards, director quote, creative team, producers.
Leaves out or plays down
Little context on the format's history or cost rationale.
For example
“Two-time Tony nominee Rannells leads as George Bailey, opposite two-time Tony nominee Hilty as Mary Bailey.” — Deadline

Right0 outlets

No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.