Frank Capra's classic film has been brought to vibrant theatrical life through the remarkable collaboration of Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning librettist & lyricist, Sheldon Harnick and Grammy and Emmy Award winning Composer, Joe Raposo. The delightful Musical, A Wonderful Life, faithfully follows the plot of the beloved 1946 film which starred Jimmy Stewart. The film was, in turn, based on a 1938 short story by Philip Van Doren Stern called “The Greatest Gift.”
Set in 1945, the musical tells the tale of George Bailey, an average Joe, who spends a lifetime sacrificing his own ambitions for the sake of others and continually setting aside his own dreams in order to keep his late father's building and loan business afloat. When the greedy banker, Mr. Potter, manufactures a scandal that threatens to send him to jail, George contemplates suicide, and it's up to a wingless angel named Clarence, coming down from Heaven by order of St. Matthew, to convince him of his own worth.
A WONDERFUL LIFE was performed for the first time at the
University of Michigan in 1986 and had a successful run at Washington, DC's
Arena Stage in 1991. The show continues to be a favorite of regional theatres across the country.
WBT's production stars
Duke Lafoon as George Bailey and
Darin DePaul as Angel-wanting-wings, Clarence. Arch nemesis, Mr Potter is played by
William McCauley. Juli Robbins will be seen as George’s model wife, Mary Bailey. Featured are
Ann-Ngaire Martin (of Chappaqua) as Ma Bailey, Ryan Foy (of the Vaudeville Foys!) as Harry Bailey,
Bob Stoeckle as Tom Bailey,
Jack Hallett as Uncle Billy, PJ Baccari as Ernie,
Darrel Blackburn as Bert, Julie Cardia as Mrs Martini & Mrs Hatch,
Brian Cooper as Sam Wainwright, and Tara Geisler as Violet Bick. The ensemble includes; Kendall Kelly,
Peter Marinos, Ronnie Nelson, Michael Scibillia, Katie Sina, and Shannon Lea Smith.
The Bailey Children will be played by Sofia Hantzaridis of Tarrytown, Sarah Heinzmann Of Ridgefield, Ct.,
Sharon Rosenthal of Armonk, Sofia Singer of North Salem and Cosmo Zappoli of Dover Plains
Richard Stafford, who directed our critically acclaimed BEAUTY AND THE BEAST,
GYPSY, THE FULL MONTY and CATS, is the Director and Choreographer, with
Jonathan Stahl as Associate Director and
Stephen Purdy is the Musical Director. The winning production team includes Steve Loftus (Set Designer), Andrew Gmoser (Lighting Designer), Jon Hatton (Sound Designer),
Gail Baldoni (Costumes) and Victor Lukas (Production Stage Manager).
Duke Lafoon (George Bailey) is reprising this wonderful role at WBT. He was last seen here in Are We There Yet? Duke last appeared as Edward in the new musical Ace at Signature Theatre. New York credits include I Love My Wife (Queens Theatre), The Drama Desk nominated production The Audience (
Transport Group) and as a singing
Bill Clinton in Monica the Musical at MTC. Some favorite regional credits include Father Flynn in Doubt at Barksdale Theatre, Clifford in Sideman with Company of Fools and Ace at The Old Globe. TV/Film: Iron Clads for TNT and as Jack Epps in the CBS miniseries Sally Hemings starring Sam Neill
Darin DePaul (Clarence) Broadway: “Dr Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas”. National Tours: “Little Shop of Horrors”, “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Guys & Dolls”, “Funny Girl”. Off Broadway: Classical Theatre of Harlem, NYMF. Regional:
Paper Mill Playhouse, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, California Music Circus, Stages St. Louis, Barter Theatre. Film: “Julie & Julia”, featured voice in “Ice Age”, “Robots” and the short “No Time For Nuts”. Television: “Law & Order”, “Miami Vice”, “USA Up All Night”, Nickelodeon’s “Welcome Freshmen.
Richard Stafford (Director/Choreographer) On Broadway, Mr. Stafford was the choreographer for In My Life (Music Box Theatre), the associate choreographer for Aspects Of Love (Broadhurst Theatre), and dance supervisor for CATS (Winter Garden Theatre) Off-Broadway he was the associate director for Summer'69 (
John Houseman Theatre) and associate choreographer for The Middle Of Nowhere (Astor Place Theatre) National Tours include CATS (director/ choreographer), My Fair Lady (choreographer), Joseph/Dreamcoat (choreographer, starring
Debbie Gibson and
Patrick Cassidy)-
Troika Entertainment. Mr. Stafford also has extensive Regional credits, including Dreamgirls (North CarolinaTheatre), Director and Choreographer for Singin' In The Rain, Crazy For You, Fame, Swing, Cats (North Shore Music Theatre), Disney's Beauty And The Beast (Walnut Street Theatre and Ogunquit Playhouse), The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas (Ogunquit Playhouse starring
Sally Struthers), Grossinger's (premier, starring
Gavin MacLeod) and Dodsworth (premier, starring
Hal Linden) both at
Pittsburgh CLO. Mr. Stafford won the Barrymore Award for outstanding choreography for La Cage Aux Folles at the Walnut Street Theatre. He is happy to return to WBT, where he previously directed
Gypsy starring
Karen Mason, The Full Monty, and CATS.
A Wonderful Life will be performed November 20th, 2008 through February 8th, 2009. To purchase tickets please call 914-592-2222 or visit www.broadwaytheatreblog.com
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