Photo Flash: Hillbarn Theatre's A WONDERFUL LIFE

The classic 1946 Jimmy Stewart film It's A Wonderful Life comes alive on stage this December at Hillbarn Theatre as the musica lA Wonderful Life. Performances are December 2 - 19. For tickets and information, please visit www.HillbarnTheatre.org.
 
Based on the legendary Frank Capra movie, A Wonderful Life tells the heartwarming story of George Bailey, the generous do-gooder of Bedford Falls, who tries to keep the town's savings-and-loan open against the will of the town's tyrant . After a catastrophe, George attempts suicide to end it all, until he is stopped by angle-in-training Clarence who shows George what life would be like without him.
 
A Wonderful Life is brought to vibrant theatrical life through the remarkable collaboration of lyrics and book by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winner Sheldon Harnick Fiddler on the Roof, She Loves Me and Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo.
 
The cast of Hillbarn's A Wonderful Life includes AEA Actor Robert Brewer of Walnut Creek as George Bailey, Bailey Batti of Belmont as his lovely wife Mary Hatch Bailey, and as their three children Allison Meacham of Foster City as Zuzu, Nicolette Norgaard as Beth, and John Graham as Tommy.  Tom and Milly Bailey, George's parents are being played by veteran Hillbarn performers: Kay Susanne Arnaudo of Burlingame and Jim Kason of San Mateo.  Joey Montes of San Bruno will play the angel Clarence and David Meacham, Matthew the Executive Angel.  Blake Kennedy and Greg Sottolano of San Francisco play Harry Bailey and "hee-haw" Sam Wainwright, respectively.  Jessica Whittemore of San Jose will be featured as Violet.  The evil Henry Potter will be played by Tom Caldecott.  The cast is rounded out by a remarkable ensemble including Carina Salazar, Dee Baily, Emily Murray, Isabela Cortwright, Joyce Jacobson, Kathryn Han, Lauren Mayer, Pam Fornesi, Regina Quigley, Richard Ames, Ruth Sieber, Saili Gosula, Sammie Brewer, Tara Jewett and Varrick Weir. 
 
A Wonderful Life is directed by David Sikula.  Sets by Don Cate.  Musical Direction by Greg "Suds" Sudmeier and Choreography by Gary Stanford.  Costume design is by Shannon Maxham.
 
The movie version was ranked number one by the American Film Institute on their list of the most inspirational American films of all time. In addition, the Sesame Street characters Bert and Ernie are named after the characters from the movie. It's no coincident that Joe Raposo ,A Wonderful Life's composer, was also music director of Sesame Street.  The role of Bert is being played by Dale Brewer of San Bruno and the role of Ernie is being played by Adam Brosamer of Menlo Park.
 
A Wonderful Life performs December 2 - 19 at Hillbarn Theatre, 1285 East Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City, CA. Shows are Thursday thru Saturday at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. Due to popular demand, two Saturday 2 pm matinees have been added on December 11th and 18th. For tickets and information, please visit www.HillbarnTheatre.org or call 650.349.6411.

Photo Credit: Nancy Fitzgerald-Metzler