"The Big Christmas Show: A Musical Radio Play," conceived and written by Joe Landry and Michael Disher, will celebrate the holidays and radio variety shows with four performances this weekend at the Southampton Arts Center, starting Friday at 7 p.m.
Complete with period props and costumes, the new play, having its first workshop performance, is set on Christmas Eve in 1950, when a cast of stars including Tallulah Bankhead, Groucho Marx, Ethel Merman, and other celebrities put the staff of WBFR radio through their paces.
The play, with direction by Mr. Disher and music direction by Amanda Jones, draws from such well-known Christmas tales as "The Gift of the Magi," "Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus," " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas," and some rare songs and stories.
Additional performances are set for Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2. Tickets are $20, $15 for members. Information about restaurant packages is on the arts center's website.
