TNB's Holiday Tour Begins at the Fredericton Playhouse - Dec. 12

Theatre New Brunswick’s production of It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play opens December 12 at the Fredericton Playhouse for a four-show run before hitting the road for performances across the province.

Theatre New Brunswick are gearing up to bring some holiday cheer to audiences across the province with this year’s production of It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.

It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play takes the familiar story of George Bailey and presents it as a 1940’s radio broadcast before a live studio audience.

“This five person adaptation of It’s A Wonderful Life is beautifully written, and gives all of the performers a chance to really have fun,” said TNB Artistic Director Natasha MacLellan, who will be directing the show. “They each play multiple characters, so they get to really show us how much range they have. And since it’s set in a Manhattan radio station in the 40s, they’ll all look amazing. And the set itself will be a beautiful thing as well – a vintage, art-deco inspired beauty.”

This year’s production will mark TNB’s first extensive holiday tour in nearly twenty years with performances planned for Fredericton, Bathurst, Miramichi, Moncton, Sackville, Florenceville-Bristol and St. Andrews.

This show will be MacLellan’s first holiday show as Artistic Director and with performances planned across the province, she believes it to be the perfect way to reintroduce New Brunswick audiences to this TNB tradition.

“I love the familiarity of It’s A Wonderful Life,” said MacLellan. “I think people long for the rituals of the holiday season– the traditional food, decorations and visits. Part of all the traditions are the songs we listen to and the stories we tell. The repetition of the rituals is part of the holiday joy. I personally look forward to shortbread, fondue on Christmas Eve, the round of visits we make and the visitors we receive. And they are the same every year. That’s the best part. It’s a yearly ritual that resets me, reminds me where I belong and what I value. It’s A Wonderful Life falls into those traditions.”

The production will feature the return of New Brunswick actors Wally MacKinnon (Any Given Moment), Jenny Munday (The Americans Are Coming) and Kirsten Alter (Come Down From Up River), and introduce two popular Toronto stage actors – Beau Dixon and Ryan Hinds.

“I didn’t grow up in New Brunswick, I’m a Cape Bretoner, but from what I understand, the TNB Christmas production is a part of many family’s traditions,” said MacLellan. “I am honored to be a part of that tradition now, and to make this production part of my new Holiday tradition.”