“It’s a Wonderful Life – A Radio Play” opens Friday at Youngstown State

“It’s a Wonderful Life – A Radio Play” opens Friday at Youngstown State University Theater’s Spotlight Theater (330-941-3105 for tickets). It’s a re-creation of a live radio play based on the classic 1946 movie starring James Stewart. Here are a few facts about the film from imdb.com:

v Pool scene: The gym floor that opens up to reveal a swimming pool was real and was located at Beverly Hills High School in Los Angeles.

v Favorite: Frank Capra often said that this was his favorite of all his films. So did James Stewart.

v Baby photo: A photograph of James Stewart at age 6 months donated by his parents was included in the Bailey home set.

v Hot day: The scene on the bridge where Clarence saves George was filmed on a back lot on a day where the temperature was 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

v Flop: The film was a flop when it played theaters in 1946.

“The Middle” (8 p.m., ABC): Say it isn’t so! On “The Middle,” the Hecks agree to forgo Thanksgiving after Frankie (Patricia Heaton) learns that she’s out of a job until January and must pick up a temporary position that requires her to work on the holiday.

“From Rocky to Creed: THE LEGACY CONTINUES” (8 P.M., EPIX): Michael B. Jordan (“Friday Night Lights”) hosts this look back at the boxing film franchise.

“People’s Sexiest Man Alive 2015: 30 YEARS OF SEXY” (9 P.M., LIFETIME): This special just might steam up your TV screen. Hosted by Bellamy Young (“Scandal”), it spotlights how the magazine goes about choosing its hottest hunks for one of its most popular issues.

TV LISTINGS, B6

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Underground Railroad lecture

YOUNGSTOWN

Traci Manning, education curator of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, will present a lunch lecture on the Underground Railroad at noon Thursday at the Tyler Mahoning Valley History Center, 325 W. Federal St., downtown.

Manning will discuss the local role in the network of people and locations from which slaves found freedom. Parking is available for $2 in the lot on the west side of the building. Overture restaurant at the DeYor Performing Arts Center will offer a $6 lunch special; call 330-744-9900 to place an order. Call 330-743-2589 for information.

Opera scenes

YOUNGSTOWN

Students in the Dana School of Music Opera Workshop, directed by Misook Yun, will perform staged scenes with creative costumes at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Saturday in Bliss Recital Hall. Admission is free.

Student art show

YOUNGSTOWN

An exhibition of works by art students at Youngstown State University who are graduating this fall will open Friday with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. and run through Dec. 12 at the McDonough Museum of Art, 525 Wick Ave.

Works by 18 students in the areas of graphic and interactive design, painting, printmaking, photography, interdisciplinary studies and 3-D studies will be shown. Call 330-941-1400.