It Will Be a Wonderful Life on Broadway

The classic holiday tale will come to the Broadhurst Theater this November in a live radio play format.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Variety

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Beginning November 4, 2026, the Broadhurst Theater will host a Broadway adaptation titled It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. The production, which runs through January 3, 2027, features Andrew Rannells as George Bailey.

Why it matters

Producers are launching this seasonal production to utilize available space at the Broadhurst Theater, which has remained vacant since August. The move aims to generate revenue during a difficult economic period for Broadway.

Director Jerry Zaks has earned 4 Tony Awards throughout his career. The production will run at the Broadhurst Theater from November 4, 2026, through January 3, 2027.

The players

Andrew Rannells

He is a stage and screen actor who has been cast as George Bailey.

Jerry Zaks

He is a veteran director who has won 4 Tony Awards and will helm this production.

Broadhurst Theater

This historic venue located in the Broadway district has remained vacant since August.

The details

The show presents performers as a company of actors recording an audio version of the classic tale within a 1940s radio studio setting. The performance will also incorporate holiday carols for the audience.

Philip Van Doren Stern wrote the original short story in 1943.
Frank Capra adapted the story into a film in 1946.
The production was first adapted in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1996.
Broadway performances begin on November 4, 2026.
The final performance is scheduled for January 3, 2027.

Industry Dynamics

This production follows the established history of the 1996 Stamford Center for the Arts adaptation. The move signals a broader trend where producers utilize holiday-themed radio play formats to fill theater vacancies during slower economic stretches for the industry.

Theatergoers can purchase tickets for the production at the Broadhurst Theater starting this November. The show offers an alternative holiday experience by framing the classic tale as a 1940s-style radio studio broadcast.

The takeaway

The success of this production will serve as a bellwether for the viability of limited-run holiday programming in filling Broadway vacancies. Theater attendees should anticipate a nostalgic atmosphere that prioritizes vocal performance over traditional stage scenery.