"It’s a Wonderful Life" makes a wonderful musical play


IVORYTON - Whether you have seen the Frank Capra film "It’s a Wonderful Life" or are one of the few who has not, this sometimes sentimental seasonal favorite translates well into a musical play.

First a short story then a film and now a musical play, "It’s a Wonderful Life" is a classic. The play centers on George Bailey, played by Chris Solimene, who is a remarkable incarnation of Jimmy Stewart who played the role in the movie.

George has dreams of going to college, traveling around the world, and becoming a famous architect, but instead stays in his small hometown of Bedford Falls and runs his family’s struggling Home Savings and Loan, marries his childhood friend Mary Hatch, played by Amy D. Forbes, and has four children.

Set in 1945 at the end of World War II, George struggles to make a success of the business, while Henry Potter, played with villainous greed by Donald Shirer, who owns the bank and just about everything else in town. He does everything he can to shut down George’s business, including trying to buy George out.

George’s Uncle Billy, played with befuddled ditziness by George Lombardo, loses $8,000 that he was supposed to deposit in the bank and George, facing ruin, scandal, and bankruptcy, considers committing suicide. Potter tells George with glee, "you are worth more dead than alive."
An angel second class who has yet to get his wings, Clarence Odbody, (played by Todd Little) comes down from heaven to help George. George gets his wish that he was never born, and sees what the people in his life, and his little town, would have been like without his generous and good influence.

The musical, told mostly in flash-backs, with a fine small orchestra lead by director and musical director John Sebastian DeNicola, never overpowers the actors, which is quite an achievement.

The choreography by Francesca Webster, with the Charleston, waltzes, and tangos, is admirable.

There is an interesting cacophony of Christmas carols at the start and then the familiar songs, along with some written for the show, are woven throughout. The theme song throughout is Irving Berlin’s "Puttin’ on the Ritz."

The actors are well cast, with the young George, played by Carlin Morris, who saves the drunken pharmacist, played by Aaron Tessler, from accidentally poisoning a child, and high school George, played by Jesse Eberl, who dreams of an exciting future.

Usually the Ivoryton Playhouse’s productions are predominately cast with professional actors, but this is their once a year community production with local actors. In this show, only Forbes, who plays Mary, is an Equity actor.

Here perhaps it is a disadvantage to have seen the film, because comparisons good and bad are inevitable. While Forbes does a fine job overall, when playing the younger Mary she seems too confident, and is missing the vulnerable anxiety and intense uncertainty that Donna Reed had playing Mary in the film.

At other times, it is an advantage to have seen the movie. For example, when they are dancing on the gym floor that opens up to reveal a pool underneath. In the play that scene was implied, but if you hadn’t seen the film, it wouldn’t make much sense.
The idea of sacrificing your dreams for the greater good of your community, and choosing integrity and ethics over personal wealth and enrichment is a beautiful morality tale that will never go out of style. The Ivoryton Playhouse’s production of "It’s a Wonderful Life" is a wonderful rendition of the touching and timeless story.

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE - THE MUSICAL
Three Stars
Location: Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main Street, Ivoryton, CT
Production: Adapted for the stage by James W. Rodgers from the film by Frank Capra. Story by Philip Van Doren Stern. Directed and musical direction by John Sebastian DeNicola. Choreography by Francesca Webster. Lighting design by Doug Henry. Set design by Dan Nischan. Costume design by Vivianna Lamb. Wig and hair design by Joel Silvertro.
Running time: 2 hours with one intermission.
Show Times: Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., with Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. through Dec. 21.
Tickets: $25 for adults, $20 for students, and $15 for children 12 and under. Call the box office at 860-767-7318, or visit their website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org
ACTOR...CHARACTER
Chris Solimene ... George Bailey
Todd Little ... Clarence Odbody
Mary Hatch ... Mary Bailey
Donald Shirer ... Henry F. Potter
George Lombardo ... Uncle Billy
Carin Morris ... Young George
Jesse Eberl... High School George
Ryan Zanoni ... Harry Bailey
Divinna Schmitt ... Mother Bailey
Lindsay Mamula ... Violet Peterson