It's A Wonderful Life, the Musical December 10, 2009

Book by James W. Rodgers, Music by John Higgins Adapted from the film by Frank Capra Directed by Bob Smith SYNOPSIS: A beautiful and melodic score has been added to James W. Rodgers' faithful and popular adaptation. Capturing both the spirit and the period of the original, the musical selections offer a wide variety of delightful and heartwarming melodies that can be easily managed by quality actors with natural but untrained voices. The songs have been carefully woven into the fabric of the book not only to set mood and atmosphere but to heighten action, delineate characters and establish underlying themes. Like the play version (also available in the catalog), the musical is easily accessible to community and school groups. Staging has been kept to a minimum requiring only a simple unit setting with limited props, costumes and lighting effects. All the great characters are here: George ("Something Important"), Mary ("Quiet Wishes: Simple Dreams"), Clarence ("I Want to Fly"), Violet ("I Love to Dance"), Uncle Billy and Aunt Tilly ("Whoops! Another Year's Gone By"), and Potter ("Easy Living"); 22 songs in all. Solos, duets, ensembles and full chorus numbers all have pleasing and catchy melodies, and all are within comfortable vocal ranges.