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A Wonderful Life
Adapted from the Frank Capra film “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Book & Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Music by Joe Raposo
Directed by Rob Lindley
Musical Director Benjamin Bentler
Choreographer Laura Scheinbaum
Produced by Porchlight Music Theatre
At the Theatre Building Chicago
1225 W. Belmont
Chicago, IL
Call 773-327-5252, ticket $34 - $35
Fridays & Saturdays at 2:30 & 8 PM
Sundays at 2:30 PM
Special matinees on Nov.23 at 2 pm
Nov. 24 & Dec. 8 at 2:30 pm
Also Special Dec 6 at 10 am
Running time is 2 hours, 20 minutes with intermission
Through December 30, 2007
An improved A Wonderful Life worth seeing
The second annual Porchlight Music Theatre’s production of A Wonderful Life is a major improvement over the 2006 production. New director Rob Lindley has made some bold casting choices and new choreography Laura Schienbaum’s crisp movement and stellar dances (especially her Charleston) offer nice artistic growth to the show.
A wonderful Life is the musical version of the classic Frank Capra 1940’s film, “It’s a Wonderful Life” that stared Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. Last year, I wrote:
“The idea of mounting this classic on stage was a fine one, too bad Sheldon Harnick and Joe Raposo wrote such a bland score of forgettable tunes that did nothing but distract from the nostalgic flavor of the film classic. That is not to say that A Wonderful Life isn’t worth seeing. It is. It’s just that a classic film needs classic caliber songs to enhance the show on stage. The tunes here basically worked but don’t overwhelm. Maybe, it would be better to mount the show as a non-musical? Maybe?”
This year’s production made me rethink the score under the improved singing from Jayson Brooks, Bob Pries and Jess Godwin and the largely recast ensemble. This is a serviceable show that is family-friendly as it conveys the spirit of small town America. A Wonderful Life offers fresh holiday fare. Rob Lindley’s directing debut is a success.
Set in Bedford Falls, New York in the late 1920’s through the 1940’s, A Wonderful Life is George Bailey’s story. He is that guy who always put his own ambitions aside to help his fellow man. He believes that he is a failure in life and when a crisis occurs, his desperation leads him to the brink and Clarence, angel second-class, shows him what the world would be like if he never was born. The universal lessons come across in this production.
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Jayson Brooks gives George Bailey a truthful empathetic quality while maintaining his humanity. we like and care about Brook’s Bailey. Jess Godwin conveys the sweetness of Donna Reed as Mary. Her voice sounded fine. Brooks and Godwin exuded enough chemistry to convey the sparks of a couple in love. Ron Keaton, a beloved veteran Chicago character actor, was precious as Clarence. His nimble movement and innocent, yet funny, charm captivates in his solo “Wings” number. Dan Loftus, as Henry Potter, used his strong voice and menacing persona to the villain character we love to hate. Jeffrey A. Ward, Sara Sevigny, Ed Rutherford, Adrian Fontanilla, Wynter Spears, Quinn White, Henry Michael Odum and Douglas Thornton offered excellent supporting work.
A Wonderful Life is a nice show, worth seeing. It is fine family holiday fare. Kudos to Porchlight Music Theatre for continually producing quality shows. This is a much improved holiday treat. Put it on your Christmas list. The kids will enjoy it.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2007
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