HEARTS of Port Washington (HEARTS PW) proudly announces the Port Washington Play Troupe as the 2023 recipient of the Gina Farasciano Community Theater Grant, an annual award presented to a community theater or arts program in Port Washington. This grant program honors Farasciano – who passed away in Spring 2020 – and celebrates her spirit and passion for the arts and theater in Port Washington.
Port Washington Play Troupe’s production of “It’s A Wonderful Life – A Radio Play” will be staged live at the Port Washington Public Library on Friday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 17 at 3 p.m.
This production of Frank Capra’s beloved 1946 film, a holiday season classic, was adapted by Bob Nissen in the style of a radio drama. Each performance is presented free to the public.
Nearly a century old, the Port Washington Play Troupe is the community’s oldest theater organization, presenting high-quality musicals, plays, and special musical performances. More information is available at: https://www.portwashingtonplaytroupe.com/
These performances have a special resonance for both the Play Troupe and the community and are dedicated to the memory of Gina Farasciano. She performed in the Play Troupe’s last stage production of the American film classic in 2019, just months before her passing.
The Gina Farasciano Community Theater Grant was established in Spring 2020 following Farasciano’s passing and was met with overwhelming public support, surpassing its initial fundraising goal. Annual recipients receive $1,000 to be used towards a community theater production or arts program, as selected by HEARTS PW in concert with Gina Farasciano’s parents. Recipients have included The Community Synagogue Theater Company, The Port Summer Show, and the Schreiber Theater Company.
A Port Washington native and Schreiber High School graduate, Farasciano had a lifelong love of theater. She performed in her youth in the annual Port Summer Show and brought her signature warm-hearted enthusiasm to the Port Washington Play Troupe, Community Synagogue Theater Company, Herricks Players, Landmark Radio Theater, countless karaoke stages and more. She also volunteered, helping out backstage at the Daytime/Prime Time Emmy Awards and donating hundreds of hours to the Gold Coast International Film Festival.
HEARTS PW continues to raise money for this memorial fund to support community theater and arts programs, while also raising funds to support additional arts programs and experiences in our schools and community. Learn more about HEARTS and support this annual grant program at heartspw.org.