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Theater review: It's a 'Wonderful' spin on a holiday favorite
American Stage
American Stage Theatre Company produced this touching one-man tribute to 'It's A Wonderful Life,' directed by Todd Olson and starring the highly watchable Christopher Swan.
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Published: November 24, 2009
Updated: 11/27/2009 09:00 am
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Zuzu's petals. Bedford Falls. Jimmy Stewart. Clarence the Second-Class Angel. Ring any bells? It should if you've ever watched the 1946 movie "It's a Wonderful Life." Frank Capra's classic has pretty much become ubiquitous in American culture, so even if you've never seen it (gasp!), you're sure to appreciate Steve Murray's stage adaptation, "This Wonderful Life."
American Stage Theatre Company produced this touching one-man tribute, directed by Todd Olson and starring the highly watchable Christopher Swan. Swan plays the role of Narrator and All the Residents of Bedford Falls. For approximately 80 minutes, he enthusiastically retells the cautionary tale of George Bailey, that "scurvy little spider" Mr. Potter and the events that lead to George's crisis of faith.
Quick plot summary: George is a frustrated man who only realizes his worth when an angel shows him a world that never knew him. And it's not pretty.
The validity of Murray's "CliffsNotes" version of the sweet but Capra-corny holiday pleaser seemed dubious at first. Words like "overkill," "why" and "yada yada yada" came to mind. The playwright was probably banking on the story's inherent goodness to offset the making of a redundant blunder. But, by gum, it worked. Between Swan's everyman appeal and Murray's loving script, it became harder and harder to blow off the notions of life being a gift, believing in yourself, generosity of spirit and … yada yada yada.
Under the glow of spare but illustrative special effects, Swan sprang deftly from one character to the next — from a sweetly nostalgic narrator to a Jimmy Stewart-inspired George to fragile-voiced Zuzu to the chair-bound, crotchety jerk Mr. Potter. He brought dimension to both stable and fleeting characters using malleable voices, facial expressions and personas. Swan was charming and quite moving, especially in the scenes depicting George at his lowest point.
By stripping away cameras and cast, rendering 130 minutes of sentimental goo into a Jell-O Snack Pack cup, Murray brought out the best parts of the film. There's brilliance in effectively messing with tradition, which must make Murray a pretty bright guy.
Note to those who have never seen "It's a Wonderful Life": Watch it already. Then check out the recap at American Stage.
THEATER REVIEW
'This Wonderful Life'
WHEN: Through Dec. 27; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
WHERE: American Stage Theatre Company at the Raymond James Theatre, 163 Third St. N., St. Petersburg; call (727) 823-7529 or visit www.americanstage.org
HOW MUCH: $26-$45, depending on date and time of performance
RUNNING TIME: Approximately 80 minutes
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