Press Release - A Wonderful Life

For Immediate Release

JUDY KUHN, PHILIP BOSCO, MARIAN SELDES, MICHAEL BERRESSE, MARC KUDISCH & RONN CARROLL HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE ACTORS FUND OF AMERICA’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, A ONE-NIGHT ONLY PERFORMANCE

November 1, 2005, New York, NY - - The Actors Fund, a nonprofit organization serving the entire entertainment community, is proud to announce the addition of Judy Kuhn, Philip Bosco, Marian Seldes, Michael Berresse, Marc Kudisch and Ronn Carroll to the cast of A Wonderful Life, a concert presentation of the musical inspired by the beloved 1946 film “It’s A Wonderful Life.”  This special holiday concert, by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Sheldon Harnick (Book and Lyrics) and Grammy and Emmy Award winner Joe Raposo (Music), will be performed for one night only on Monday, December 12, 2005 at 7:00 p.m., at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre (225 W. 44th St.).  Tickets are: $75-$1,000 and are available by calling 212.221.7300 x 133. For more information, please visit www.actorsfund.org.  All proceeds will benefit The Actors Fund.

Three-time Tony nominee Judy Kuhn (Les Miserables, Chess, & She Loves Me) will star opposite Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell (George Bailey), as his wife Mary Bailey.  Philip Bosco, Tony Award Winner (Lend Me A Tenor) and currently starring in Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang, has been cast as Joseph, Marian Seldes, Tony Award Winner (A Delicate Balance, Dinner at Eight, Ring Around The Moon) will play Mary’s mother – Mrs. Hatch, Michael Berresse (The Light In The Piazza, Kiss Me, Kate, Chicago) has been cast as Harry Bailey, Marc Kudisch, (Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Assassins) will portray Sam Wainwright, and Ronn Carroll (The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Crazy for You, How To Succeed…) will star as Tom. 

In addition to Brian Stokes Mitchell, previously announced cast includes: David Hyde Pierce as Clarence and Dominic Chianese (Second Hand Memory, “The Sopranos”) as the villainous Mr. Potter.

Carl Andress will direct the production which, like the film, takes place in Bedford Falls, NY.  Musical direction is by Jeffrey Saver and choreography by Denis Jones.  Additional casting will be announced shortly.

THE ACTORS FUND OF AMERICA is the national nonprofit human service organization that provides for the welfare of all entertainment professionals. Founded in 1882, The Fund serves those in film, theater, television, music, opera, and dance, and assists both performers and those behind the scenes with a broad spectrum of programs designed to address the needs of the community, including comprehensive social services, health services, supportive and affordable housing, employment and training services, and skilled nursing and assisted living care. The Fund also makes emergency grants for essential needs. Administered from offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, The Actors Fund mission is "to advance, foster and benefit the welfare of all professionals in the entertainment community who are in need of help, ensuring that these efforts are accomplished with compassion, confidentiality and preservation of dignity for the individuals concerned."

Pat and John Rosenwald are the evening’s co-chairs and the concert presentation is co-sponsored by The New York Times and Tony Dellasalla.