Pgh Playhouse Streaming “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Through Broken Doors” (Sun., 12/20/20)

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (online radio play) by Joe Landry, adapted from the movie. Pittsburgh Playhouse, Point Park University Conservatory Theatre. December 16-20.

Point Park’s Conservatory Theatre puts its own spin on the heartwarming story of a man trying to do his best during extremely challenging times and desperately trying to hold onto the spirit of Christmas. The innovative part of this digital production of It’s a Wonderful Life is that they are staging the 1940’s radio play with the actors playing against each other simultaneously on three separate Pittsburgh Playhouse stages. Holiday music and sound effects round out the production. Directed by Steven Breese (R.H.)

THROUGH BROKEN DOORS. Developed by Adil Mansoor. Pittsburgh Playhouse/Point Park University Conservatory Theatre. December 16-20.

Push an elevator button and get off on a floor, although there’s no women’s wear or appliance floors on the Point Park Conservatory Theatre’s virtual elevator. There are however, 16 buttons each one landing the theater passenger into a different theater artist’s virtual production in Through Broken Doors. All productions share a common theme of instead of leaving one’s “baggage” at the door, we share it, explore it, support it, question it, and talk about it. The core concept is, “What if our frustrations, questions, and dreams were at the center of our art-making and community building?” Topics include explorations of white supremacy, Black life, the 2020 election, and conversations between loved ones. These Pittsburgh Playhouse productions are video and audio based. (R.H.)

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