This Week in the Arts

Opening this week

"IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE": A variation on Frank Capra's 1946 film "It's a Wonderful Life" comes to the stage Friday when Pure Theatre presents "It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" in Lance Hall at the Circular Congregational Church downtown. Drawn from the 1971 radio adaptation by Joe Landry (of "Reefer Madness" fame), the radio format will be directed by Mark Landis and stars Pure Theatre co-founder Rodney Lee Rogers. The play will be performed Nov. 27-28, Dec. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19 at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 to $30. Call 723-4444.

"SHIPWRECKED!": Taking a "family-friendly" bent, the Village Playhouse in Mount Pleasant opens "Shipwrecked! An Entertainment: The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (As Told by Himself)," on Friday. Written by Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies, "Shipwrecked!" will be performed Friday and Saturday and Dec. 3-5 at 8 p.m., on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m., on Dec. 11-12 and Dec. 17-19 at 8 p.m., and on Dec. 13 and 20 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $12 to $25. Call 856-1579 or go to www.villageplayhouse.com.

Closing this week:

"THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE": The final performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta "The Pirates of Penzance" will be today at 6:30 p.m. (dinner at 5:30) at the open-air Lookout Pavilion at Patriots Point. The event is presented by the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina. Tickets are $30. Call 284-7026 or e-mail jmorrison@charlestonharborresort.com.