Tobys' "Wonderful Life" a Holiday Treat

             Fans of the Frank Capra film "It's a Wonderful Life" can rejoice!The original musical version of that holiday perennial presented by Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore remains faithful to the film, including the classic line, "Teacher say every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings!"Yes, the angel gets his wings, and the audience gets a heart-warming live stage musical of a beloved film.What a great way to introduce children to the joys of live theatre or to spend a lovely evening during the holidays with loved ones.

          This original version of the musical was developed years ago by Toby's, and has had many subsequent productions, including a tour.This production, however, marks the Baltimore premiere.Michael Tilford's adaptation of the movie keeps all of the warmth, conflict, and innocent joy of the original, while streamlining it for practical reasons - obviously, George and Mary don't dance their way into a gym pool, and you don't see Little Harry's sledding accident - but all of the story is there.And since most everyone knows the story (and for those of you who don't, let it be a surprise) I won't waste time or space telling the plot.One major point of criticism usually leveled at stage adaptations of famous films is that there seems to be little reason to do so, or that the musical numbers don't help the story.Well, I am glad to say that each and every number enhances, expands and adds delightfully to the whole piece.The music by David Nehls and lyrics by Nehls and Tilford are a clever cross between the Broadway sound and songs for the time of the play, which ranges from the 1920's - 1940's.They have interesting lyrics which do what songs in a show are supposed to do - further the plot, develop character, and provide opportunities for some dancing (in this case the dancing is part of the plot).Particularly good are the thoughtful "That's How It's Gonna Be", sung by Young George and Mary, the warming "The Greatest Gift" sung to George by his proud father, and the rousing, "I'm on My Way", sung by George as he is about to embark on a world tour with the blessings of the entire town.The dance number (choreography by Tina DeSimone) "Syncopation Rag" is a showstopper, and Clarence's ode to angelhood, "You Gotta Have Wings" is both funny and clever.

          With rapid fire, film-like scene transitions, directed with flair and compassion by Toby Orenstein and Samn Huffer, the design team (sets & lights by David Hopkins, and costumes by Samn Huffer) has wisely chosen to go with symbolic set pieces and a very clever background of clouds over a miniature mid-American town, where Clarence, and his boss-angel, Joseph oversee events.Perhaps the most ingenious "effect" (and likely the most simple) happens in act two, where the scenes shift rapidly back and forth between the building and loan, George's house, and the bank.There is a nicely decorated Christmas tree dead center, and the lights on the tree change depending upon where the current action is.Clever, economical and ingenious!And still, the show seems quite lavish, as the cast changes costumes and set pieces several times. 

          As always, Toby has assembled a top-notch cast, including a sizeable ensemble that gives off a home-spun charm that is never too sugary, and always genuine.What is particularly nice to see, at least for this reviewer, is that the stars of pervious shows fit in so nicely in much smaller roles this go-round.It happens all too often, I've noticed, that some local actors who get lead roles would never even consider a spot in the chorus.Not true with the troupe at Toby's, and that speaks volumes for the theatre, Toby, and the actors themselves.In It's a Wonderful Life, the ensemble includes Becca Vourvoulas (Ariel in Footloose) as Violet, and Lauren Spencer-Harris (Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie), Daniel McDonald(Reverend Shaw in Footloose, co-director of Ragtime) and Larry Munsey (director of Footloose, designer and co-star of Kiss Me, Kate) all have severAl Small speaking roles.And each one gives as much as they did when they were the leads or in charge.That kind of work ethic and professionalism is why Toby's sets the standard.And, truly, the entire ensemble does just terrific work; they must be exhausted by performance end.

          In major supporting roles, David Bosely-Reynolds, Lynne Sigler and Andrew Horn really stand out.Reynolds, is both an imposing and deeply affecting presence as the angel Joseph who guides poor hapless Clarence toward earning his wings.Like Clarence, we take notice of his every word, but also feel his angelic warmth.Sigler, as George's mother is everything a mother should be - strong and compassionate.And she is heartbreaking in the scene where she mourns her dead son when George finds out what happens were he never born.Her cries and screams are chilling.Horn, a jovial presence through act one, as warm-hearted Uncle Billy, makes misery palpable as he panics when losing the family fortune, or as the town drunk during the "unborn" sequence.

          Would that other local companies would hire children of the caliber that Toby's does.As usual, she has selected children (on opening night they were Jonathan Cort, Katie Glass and Megan Tavares) who can actually act and sing, who never mug, and aren't sickeningly sweet.They are cute to be sure, but that cuteness feels almost like an afterthought on their part.And Tavares, as the charming Zuzu, is so genuine you ache with the hope that she doesn't lose her daddy.Cort and Glass absolutely charm and command the stage in their story setting number, "That's How It's Gonna Be". Mr. Cort must study his grown-up counterpart, because you can totally believe the transformation, and Miss Glass looks positively in love.Later, in act two, when they play the Bailey children you would swear all three were actually siblings!

          No production of It's a Wonderful Life, though, would be anything without a quartet of fine actors in the central roles of George, Mary, Clarence and Mr. Potter.All four here (Matthew Schleigh, Kate Williams, David James and Robert Biederman, respectively) are superb.One thing that makes all four delightful is that none of them are doing impersonations of their film counterparts, but rather create new, fresh takes on them.Biederman is nasty personified - so much so that, even though the audience knew it was coming, the crowd audibly grumbled when he stole the Bailey fortune.He has masterful timing, growls his lines with vigor, and would probably make Scrooge cower in fear.A true testament to his performance came at curtain call, when the audience greeted him with cheers and boos and hisses!David James is such an endearing presence; you can't help but root for him from the start.He watches over the events of George's life with the wide-eyed awe of a child, and with righteous indignation when things take a turn for the worse.James is so involved in his own performance, you can completely believe that he is fighting for his last chance to earn wings.And when he lets loose in his act two solo, "You Gotta Have Wings", he nearly stops the show.

           It is the central relationship of the constantly sacrificing George Bailey and the love of his life, Mary that gives this piece its heart.And one can't imagine a better pair to play these characters than Matthew Schleigh and Kate Williams.Neither gives into the urge to mimic Jimmy Stewart or Donna Reed, and neither has forgotten to give these very nice people a backbone.By doing so, they avoid, weak, namby-pamby do-gooders, but enforce that these people have a spark and the need to help others.Williams, whose smile will warm the coldest grinch, has a lovely voice sure to make you fall in love with her.One needs only to watch her face to know the depth of emotions she allows her Mary to have.Her big solo, "My Wish is You" is touchingly sung.It is Mr. Schleigh, though, who must really carry this show, in the iconic role of George Bailey.With wholesome looks to match his wholesome Midwestern character, and a strong voice, Schleigh is equally at home in the big numbers and the tenderest moments.He commands the stage, and gets a well-deserved ovation of applause following the boisterous "I'm On My Way", and the audience is plunged into disappointment right along with him when he realizes that he won't get his life-long dream to explore the world.His despair reaches to the back of the theatre when he is on the bridge ready to jump, and he exudes fatherly warmth as he sings a lullaby to sick little Zuzu.Again, though, it is the backbone that he gives George - he makes all of the do-gooder choices, but you can see that George hasn't lost the fight or the will to see his dreams come true.Both Schleigh and Williams are nothing less than terrific, and worth coming to see this show.

          Toby's of Baltimore has been giving Charm City gifts of great theatre all year long.Give yourself this gift - it is indeed a wonderful evening and life!

PHOTOS: All by Kristine Christiansen.Main page: David James and David Bosley-Reynolds; TOP: Logo; MIDDLE: Matthew Schleigh and Megan Tavares; Kate Williams and Matthew Schleigh.

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