Special Film Screening at SCSU with Author Wally Lamb: "Wishin' and Hopin'"

On Dec. 4 at 7 p.m., Southern Connecticut State University’s Lyman Center will host a special event with author Wally Lamb. Hear the inside story on the making of the movie “Wishin’ and Hopin’” with a special audience introduction with Lamb and Producer Andrew Gernhard.

A vivid slice of 1960s life, “Wishin’ and Hopin’” is a wise and witty holiday tale that celebrates where we’ve been -- and how far we’ve come. In the small town of Three Rivers, Connecticut, we go straight into the halls of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parochial School with Felix Funicello, a Catholic school fifth-grader in 1964, whose claim to fame is his cousin Annette Funicello, the famous Mouseketeer and teen movie queen. But grammar and arithmetic move to the back burner this holiday season with the sudden arrivals of substitute teacher Madame Frechette and feisty Russian student Zhenya Kabakova. While Felix learns the meaning of French kissing, cultural misunderstanding, and tableaux vivants, “Wishin’ and Hopin’” barrels toward one outrageous Christmas!

Directed by Colin Theys, the film stars Molly Ringwald, Annabella Sciorra, Meat Loaf, Conchata Ferrell, Cheri Oteri, Danny Nucci, Wyatt Ralff, Quinn McColgan and Chevy Chase.

In addition to “Wishin’ and Hopin’,” Wally Lamb is a New York Times best-selling author of “She’s Come Undone,” “I Know This Much is True,” “The Hour I First Believed,” and most recently, “We Are Water.” He is a Connecticut native.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children (16 and Under). Seating is general admission. A VIP Experience package is available for $25 and includes premium seating, an autographed book, and a special post-show meet and greet with Wally Lamb. All ticket proceeds benefit the SCSU Scholarship Fund. For tickets call (203) 392-6154 or visit http://tickets.southernct.edu/eventperformances.asp?evt=771