Articles on:

It's A Wonderful Life - The Musical
Book and Lyrics by James Rodgers
Music by John Higgins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THEATER ARTICLE

Prime Ticket: Theater
by The Orange County Register

November 14, 2004

Do you want to see George Bailey teetering from that bridge in a driving blizzard - live? On a stage? Sure you do! It's high time that a company such as The Chance Theater produced some counterprogramming like It's A Wonderful Life - The Musical, for those who can't bear to see the Humbug Guy anymore. (Don't forget to yell out "Zuzu's petals!") Through Dec. 19. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. $22-$25. 5552 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. (714) 777-3033 or www.chancetheater.com.

 

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THEATER REVIEW

Holiday classic is wonderful, full of life
by Anne-Margret Bellavoine, Northern Lights

November 15, 2004

For anyone who has grown up on annual re-runs of the Frank Capra 1946 classic, the Chance's seasonal musical is sure to bring a nostalgic heart-tug.

With book and lyrics by James Rodgers and music by John Higgins, this musical follows the movie almost to the letter, under the direction of Tira Palmquist, yet with a new flair in a stage adaptation. Musical Director Dean Anderson accompanies the show live, and the songs give a nice array of solos to even minor characters. The musical numbers run the gamut from humor to poignancy, with the de rigueur seasonal carols.

George Bailey's ho-hum life in fictional Bedford Falls somewhere in New York state needs to introduction. It's a snowy Christmas eve, and the man is on the verge of suicide after his family's Savings and Loans is audited for missing $8,000. In walks his pathetic guardian angel, Clarence Oddbody (Julio Vivas) who needs to save George (Bradley Miller) to earn his wings. His job is to convince him that he is not a failure, in spite of the humdrum life of bittersweet joys and disappointments he has led. In fact, many people owe their very lives to him, including his younger brother Harry (Michael Irish), whom he saved from drowning.

We flash back to George as a boy and young man, growing up around his mom (Myrna Niles) and pop (Ray Akin), in the S&L business with his absent-minded uncle Billy (Richard Comeau) married to sweet Tilly (Patricia Miller). Their archrival is the sinister Mr. Potter (also Ray Akin) who greedily wants to take over the town and ruin its inhabitants in the process.

The lad has big dreams to escape the dreariness of small-town life, with projects of worldwide travels and a lucrative and exciting career.

Every step of the way, George is thwarted, beginning with his father's death and the need to rescue the business, ending his first dream of college, where his brother goes instead.

George resigns himself to settling down with his childhood sweetheart Mary Hatch (Bonnie Wickeraad), choosing her over the radiant Violet (Alex Bueno), eventually fathering four children of his own.

Through the depression, George continues to bale out his neighbors and friends, ensuring all have a safe place for their small savings away from Potter's clutches, and with the hope to eventually buy their own home, the all-American dream already well entrenched.

When uncle Billy loses the $8,000 which precipitates George's soul-searching crisis, he is a man embittered by his self-sacrificing to fulfill the needs of others. What he must realize to save himself is that his connection with little folk is happiness beyond the tantalizing riches of the world and its adventures. Had George not lived or accepted his fate, many lives would have been changed for the worse. His entourage knows that and comes to his rescue when he is finally the one in need of salvation.

Miller and Comeau give powerful performances opposite touching Wickeraad and Miller. Jeremy Golden's set with its two revolving wings enables seamless multiple scene changes. This heart-warming holiday tale weaves its wonderful life affirming magic for young and old to enjoy.

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THEATER REVIEW

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE - THE MUSICAL
by Shirle Gottlieb, Back Stage West

November 18, 2004

It's that time of year again—time to gear up for the annual holiday events that have become part of our cultural heritage. From coast to coast—on large professional stages, in small community playhouses, and in college auditoriums— thousands of productions of A Christmas Carol, It's a Wonderful Life, and The Nutcracker vie for public attention. Though all three are traditional gems, how many times can we watch them before our attention strays and our eyes glaze over?

Several viable alternatives have appeared in recent years, and now the intrepid Chance Theater Repertory Company has mounted a musical version of It's a Wonderful Life. Written by lyricist James W. Rodgers, with music by John Higgins, it follows the same storyline as the 1946 film classic, starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. The time is Christmas Eve 1945, the place is Bedford Falls, and the plot begins when George Bailey, a gentle good-hearted Everyman, is about to commit suicide. Because the movie is a longtime television favorite, almost everyone who sees the musical knows the outcome. A charming old angel intervenes and, eager to earn his wings, shows George the importance of his life to everyone in town.

Under the direction of Tira Palmquist, with musical direction by Dean Anderson and choreography by Sarah Moreau, a well-rehearsed 20-member cast sings its heart out through 24 songs that narrate the story. Though the music and lyrics are mainstream, they accomplish the requirements of this musical morality tale. ... [Bonnie Wickeraad] is a natural as his beautiful, benevolent wife, who loves him through thick and thin. Also enjoyable are Julio Vivas as Clarence (the second-class angel); Richard Comeau as bungling Uncle Billie, George's partner in the building-and-loan business; Ray Akin as Mr. Potter, the heartless banker who tries to destroy George; Myrna Niles as Miss Crabtree, Potter's scheming secretary; and Alex Bueno as Violet Peterson, the ditzy dancer. Jeremy Golden designed the innovative three-piece set that is augmented by Masako Tobaru's light design.

It's a Wonderful Life—The Musical, presented by the Chance Repertory Company at the Chance Theater, 5552 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills. Thu.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Nov. 11-Dec. 19. $22-25. (714) 777-3033.

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