If you’re a lover of Christmas and especially classic Christmas movies, then you know by now that anytime you hear a bell ringing, somewhere a rookie angel is being awarded his or her wings. That is thanks in part to the 1939 story “The Greatest Gift” by Philip Van Doren Stern that was turned into what is now considered a classic holiday movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life,” produced and directed by Frank Capra. Even though the movie didn’t do well when it was first released in 1946, it is now considered essential viewing during the holidays joining the ranks of “A Christmas Carol,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” and “White Christmas.” It’s for that reason that the Far Off Broadway Players made the decision to mount a stage adaptation of “It’s A Wonderful Life.”
I’m sure you remember the characters George Bailey, Mary Hatch, Clarence Odbody, Uncle Billy and many other residents of Bedford Falls. Nearly all those characters are present in the Far Off Broadway Players stage version of this classic holiday movie. Playing the role of George Bailey is local actor Bradley Williams who was last seen in the Far Off Broadway Players production of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” His future wife in the story, Mary Hatch, is played by Sara Just, who choreographed our July musical, “How I Became a Pirate.” This story wouldn’t be complete without our wingless angel Clarence Odbody who is portrayed onstage by longtime Far Off Broadway Players actor Charley Goodman. They join a cast of 27 local actors who bring this classic holiday story to life on the stage of the beautiful Plaza Theatre located at 115 East Main Street in Glasgow.
If you’ve never seen the movie, then I encourage you to reserve your seats and come see the Far Off Broadway Players production of “It’s A Wonderful Life.” The hero, of course, is George Bailey (Bradley Williams), a man who never quite makes it out of his quiet birthplace of Bedford Falls. As a young man he dreams of shaking the dust from his shoes and traveling to far-off lands, but one thing and then another keeps him at home – especially his responsibility to the family savings and loan association, which is the only thing standing between Bedford Falls and the greed of Mr. Potter (Chris Bartley), the avaricious local banker. George marries his high school sweetheart Mary Hatch (Sara Just), settles down to raise a family, and helps half the poor folks in town buy homes where they can raise their own families. Then, when George’s absentminded Uncle Billy (Jim Walsh) misplaces some bank funds during the Christmas season, it looks as if the evil Potter will have his way after all. George loses hope, despairs and considers taking his own life when an Angel 2nd Class named Clarence (Charley Goodman) saves him and shows him what life in Bedford Falls would have been like without him.
Make plans now to truly get into the spirit of the season and reserve your seats to see the Far Off Broadway Players production of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” There are four public performances – December 13 at 7 p.m., December 14at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and December 15 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 or $10 if you reserve a group of 10 more. There is a one-time $4 transaction fee on all orders. Please call the Plaza Theatre Box Office at 270-361-2101 or visit www.historiciplaza.com to order your tickets. Come to the Plaza Theatre and celebrate the season as the Far Off Broadway Players and TJ Samson Hospital present “It’s A Wonderful Life.”
