Stage Adaptation of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE Set for The Ware Center

Professional actor Jeremy Kendall stars in the hilariously touching one-man tour-de-force THIS WONDERFUL LIFE, a stage adaptation of the iconic holiday film "It's A Wonderful Life" by Steve Murray, at the Ware Center on Thursday and Friday, December 10-11, at 7:30 p.m. both nights. Directed by Dan Deal, the play brings to life over 32 familiar people in an amazing display of physical and verbal virtuosity. Kendall portrays the Jimmy Stewart-inspired George Bailey and the whole cast of loveable characters from Bedford Falls, including Clarence the Angel, Mary, Zuzu and all of the townsfolk who rely on him to save them from the greedy Mr. Potter. The Ware Center is located at 42. N. Prince Street, Lancaster.

The original film, It's a Wonderful Life, is a 1946 American film produced and directed by Frank Capra, based on the short story "The Greatest Gift", which Philip Van Doren Stern wrote in 1939 and published privately in 1945. The film is now among the most popular Christmas season television specials. Jimmy Stewart stars as George Bailey, and Donna Reed as Mary Bailey. George is a man who has given up his dreams in order to help others, but who falls on hard times and contemplates ending it all. Clarence, George's guardian angel, shows George all the lives he has touched and how different life in his community of Bedford Falls would be had he never been born.

"The show is told through the eyes of a man who loves the movie, which is something I can relate to, as I try and watch the film every December to get in the holiday spirit," says Kendall. "The narration weaves all the special moments of the film together, into something that is funny, charming and a beautiful tribute to the film."

"Like the film that inspired it, it quietly celebrates a simple truth: Little things mean more than we know." - The Boston Globe

THIS WONDERFUL LIFE was written by Steve Murray, conceived by Mark Setlock, adapted from the screenplay It's a Wonderful Life by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra, and Jo Swerling.

It's a Wonderful Life is one of the most acclaimed films ever made, praised particularly for its writing. It was nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture and has been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made, placing number 11 on its initial 1998 greatest movie list, and would also place number one on its list of the most inspirational American films of all time. Capra revealed that the film was his personal favorite among those he directed, adding that he screened it for his family every Christmas season.

Jeremy Kendall is a veteran actor of stage and screen who has starred in several films including Indie cult favorite, Lilith, shot in 2011 by filmmaker Sridhar Reddy. He has performed in roles for the Cleveland Playhouse, the Dobama Theatre, the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival, and the Nebraska Repertory Theatre. He has been the spokesperson for Metro Toyota in regional commercials, and has recently written a one-man show based on stories from the Battle of Gettysburg. Jeremy received his M.F.A. in acting from the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at the University of Nebraska.

A Pre-Show Talk will take place Friday, December 11 at 6:45 p.m. by Dirk Eitzen, entitled "Capra's American Christmas Tale." Eitzen is the director of the Film & Media Studies program at Franklin & Marshall College. He writes about the impact of movies on audiences, from a psychological perspective, and he has produced documentaries on subjects ranging from railroad folklore to trauma healing. He is currently working on a scholarly book about the reception of reality TV.

Tickets are reserved seating: $10 adult and $5 for MU and Visiting Students with valid IDs at a ticket office or at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at ArtsMU.com, in person at the Ticket Office located in the Student Memorial Center on Millersville's campus, or at the Ware Center, located at 42 N. Prince Street, in Lancaster. Doors open one hour before each show for ticket sales, subject to availability.

The Millersville University Visual and Performing Arts Season is made possible by support from Season Platinum Partner Rodgers & Associates and Gold Season Sponsors Aussie and the Fox and Hagelgans & Veronis, and Silver Season Sponsors Clipper Magazine, The Hotel Lancaster, 12:34 MicroTechnologies, and Weber Advertising. First Friday Music Stage is sponsored by Fine Living Lancaster. This season's Luminary Donors include Ann Barshinger, John & Susan Garofola, Mary Burton & Laurent Horne, Linda Holman Marcks, William McIlwaine, Peggy Neff, Mary Kearns & Jon Walker, and Paul & Judy Ware.

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