Featuring local broadcast media as celebrity announcers; Talkback sessions after matinees.
GROSSE POINTE, MI – An adaptation of the beloved holiday movie, Marty Bufalini’s It’s a Wonderful Life – The Radio Show is Grosse Pointe Theatre’s December production that is sure to bring holiday cheer and inspiration to audiences of all ages. The production runs Dec. 10-19 and will include several local radio and television personalities who will serve as celebrity announcers during the performances.
Bufalini, whose voice is well known on the radio airwaves, combines his passion for old-time radio with his love for acting and directing to recreate a 1940’s-style radio broadcast in a stage production, with patrons serving as the live “in-studio” audience. This unique production incorporates vintage music and live sound effects, including the sound effects door once used in the live Detroit radio broadcast of “The Lone Ranger” that aired from 1933–1954.
“Our production will offer audiences a firsthand look at how storytelling was shared back in the Golden Age of radio,” said Bufalini. “We have a great cast and crew and a terrific line-up of local broadcast celebrities who jumped at the chance to participate in this production. We’re grateful to be able to bring this special holiday production to audiences.”
Detroit media serving as celebrity announcers during performances will include:
- Kim Adams, host, 103.5 FM WMUZ – Friday Dec. 10, 8 p.m. performance
- Jay Towers, anchor, FOX 2 Detroit and host on 100.3 WNIC – Saturday Dec. 11, 8 p.m. performance
- Lee Thomas, anchor, FOX 2 Detroit – Sunday Dec. 12, 2 p.m. performance
- Holly Hutton, co-host, 99.5 WYCD Detroit’s Country – Thursday Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. performance
- Jason Scott, morning co-host, WWJ Newsradio – Friday Dec. 17, 8 p.m. performance
- Alan Longstreet, meteorologist, FOX 2 Detroit – Saturday, Dec. 18, 8 p.m. performance
- Alicia Smith, morning anchor, WXYZ-TV Detroit – Sunday, Dec. 19, 2 p.m. performance
Following the 2 p.m. matinee performances on Dec. 12, Dec. 18 and Dec. 19, there will be a special behind the scenes Talkback session with Bufalini where audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding the production, recreating sound effects of old-time radio, what inspired this adaptation, and more.
How: Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at gpt.org/wonderful or by calling the ticket office at 313- 881-4004.