Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Stage Right gives theatergoers an early holiday present with its stage version of "It's A Wonderful Life." The production will be delivered in a format that may be new to some fans of the 1946 Frank Capra film classic -- with songs and dances.
Anthony Marino, director of the musical adaptation by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winner Sheldon Harnick and Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo, says the Stage Right show stays true to the story that is as much a holiday tradition as fruitcake and eggnog.
4 comments:
I love the idea of updating this show, especially in this day and age. I think it is important to see and remmeber that, even if times seem bleak and like they will never get better, we still have those around us who we are important to and who care for us. I also love the idea that the audience gets to participate in one of the iconic parts at the end of the show with each having their own bells to ring. I think that is a great touch to bringing this story back and having people love it again.
Although I have often times ranted about how theater nowadays is dictated by revivals of plays, movies, and works that have already been present in our entertainment industry, this "Wonderful Life" production is an exception. The story is an important one- one that we NEED to hear in the now, in the future, we are so caught up in the frivilous-ness of the holidays- we lose our value in simply being together/ taking life for its true worth. I think that the bell idea is also sweet- hopefully this play will be as far reaching and sentimental as the movie has been for so many people, including me.
I have never actually seen It's a Wonderful Life, but as a member of modern society, I've picked up the plot line over the years. From what I've gathered, its extremely relevant to modern times. This production sounds really endearing and pleasant - which is just want stressed out families need this holiday season. (I especially like the idea of passing out bells that audiences can ring at the very end. It's super cute.)
I believe that theatre needs to explore hard issues, but sometimes it just needs to be a nice escape, and I hope this production can provide that. I would love to go see it, and for $15.00 for student tickets, I might actually be able to afford that.
I love this show and the bell idea is certainly inspired. This show was always a tradition in our house at this time of year and I believe it helped our family to realize what was important. In today's economy this is especially important. However, I wonder why we have so many revivals of old show? Isn't there someone out there willing to write new shows with these themes? I think writers may feel that shows which idealize traditional values may be dismissed as old fashioned. I think the writers would be pleasantly surprised by the interest people would take in upbeat and sweet shows
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