MTC MainStage's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE Returns for Two Benefit Performances Today

MTC MainStage, Music Theatre of Connecticut's Professional Equity Acting Company, presents an encore of its' Moss Hart Award-Winning production of "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play." Adapted for the stage by Joe Landry and directed by MTC MainStage Artistic Director Kevin Connors, this beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. Two benefit performances are today, December 15 at 2pm and 8pm and take place at MTC MainStage Studio Theatre in Westport, CT. All proceeds to benefit Music Theatre of Connecticut and its programming.

The MTC MainStage production of "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" is the professional-division recipient of a Moss Hart Memorial Award, recently presented at The New England Theatre Conference Annual Convention. The award honors the memory of Moss Hart, dramatist and director, for his unconquerable enthusiasm for life and for his work in the theatre; and recognizes and encourages outstanding theatrical productions throughout New England of playscripts that present affirmative views of human courage and dignity, that have strong literary and artistic merit, and which in their productions, exemplify fresh, imaginative, creative treatment within the intent of the playwright. The New England Theatre Conference, in making the annual Moss Hart Memorial Award, seeks to encourage artistic growth and the highest standards of excellence in theatre.

The cast of "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" includes Kathy Calahan (Broadway's "Mary Poppins"), Michael O'Day (The Public Theatre's "365 Days/365 Plays"), Amy Russ (HBO's "The Sopranos"), Jim Schilling (Tim Robbin's "Dead Man Walking") and D. Matt Worley (Robert DeNiro's "The Good Shepherd.")

Director Kevin Connors is co-founder of Music Theatre of Connecticut, and has previous directed "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at Stamford Center for the Arts and The Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts. Joe Landry's play was named "One of the Top Ten Most Produced Plays in America" by "American Theatre" Magazine. Connors and Landry have collaborated on the original musical "Mothers and Sons," which premiered at MTC MainStage in 2009.

Performances take place today, December 15 at 2pm and 8pm at MTC MainStage Studio Theatre 246 Post Road East (ColoniAl Green, Lower Level) in Westport, CT. Tickets are $45 (side sections) and $75 (VIP center section seating and holiday gift bag). All tickets include post-show holiday party and meet and greet with cast and creative team. All proceeds benefit Music Theatre of Connecticut and its' programming. and reservations are suggested. For reservations or more information, call MTC MainStage at 203.454.3883 or visit www.musictheatreofct.com.