‘A Wonderful Life, The Musical’ hits main stage at Steel River Playhouse
The show runs Dec. 2-18
POTTSTOWN >> “A Wonderful Life,” the music version of the classic story, opens Friday, Dec. 2 and runs through Sunday, Dec. 18, with a total of 12 performances to choose from, including four matinees.
Special note: Steel River Playhouse is dedicating the run of “A Wonderful Life” to the memory of longtime friend and performer, Carl Heyde. Opening night, Friday, Dec. 2 is “Carl’s Night”. Carl’s family and Steel River staff would like to welcome all of Carl’s friends and extended family who buy tickets for that evening’s performance to join us for a reception in the lobby at 7 p.m. in Carl’s honor. Carl’s last performances at Steel River Playhouse were our two holiday shows last year, Mrs. Coney: A Tale at Christmas and White Christmas.
Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. Bedford Falls comes alive with the magical tale of finding hope in your own hometown. In a tuneful re-imagining of the classic Frank Capra film “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a would-be angel swoops to the rescue of desperate banker George Bailey on Christmas Eve.
“I suppose it would have been better if I had never been born at all,” laments George Bailey in this quintessential Christmas story which tells the saga of George Bailey, “the everyman from small town Bedford Falls” whose dreams of escape and adventure are repeatedly quashed by his family obligations and civic duty.
From the Tony-winning co-creator of Fiddler on the Roof, it’s a heartwarming family musical that celebrates the power of love and the goodness in all of us. Remember: “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings!” The show features Music by Joe Raposo who may be best known for his work on Sesame Street for which he wrote the theme song, as well as classics such as “Bein’ Green” and “C is for Cookie.” Book and Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, who wrote Fiddler on the Roof, She Loves Me, and Fiorello! among others.
Directed by Leena Devlin, Managing Artistic Director at Steel River, the cast includes many familiar faces as well as a few new faces!
The cast features George Bailey (Ryan Simme), Harry Bailey (Jason Scansaroli), Mr. Potter (Ron Quirk), Sam Wainwright (Scott Minor), Clarence (Matt Snyder), Matthew (Bryan Cassidy), Bert (Sebastian Antonio), Mrs. Hepner/Dorothy Wainwright (Kelly Murray), Ernie (Charles Delaney), Milly Bailey (Kathleen Godwin), Tom Bailey (Tim Novak), Uncle Billy (Ben Fried), Mistress of Ceremonies/ Women #1 (Amanda Wetzel), Violet Bick (Sarah Marie Paul), Mary Hatch (Sharon Eyster), Ruth Reynolds (Alena Feldman), Mrs. Hatch/Mrs. Martini (Beverly Albertus), Mrs. Carter (Elissa Drummond), Tommy Bailey (Ben Minor), Beth Bailey (Isabel Feldman), and Zuzu Bailey (Charlotte Herninko). ENSEMBLE: Alena Feldman, Ella Hagelauer, Trystian Hernandez, Max McCullagh, and Hailey Richmond. Here’s the scoop … Steel River Playhouse’s production of “A Wonderful Life, The Musical” runs Dec. 2-18 at Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High St., Pottstown.
Tickets for “A Wonderful Life” can be ordered online at www.steelriver.org. Online ticketing allows audience members to select their seat, so purchase early for your best seating options. Groups of ten or more are eligible for a discount.
About Steel River Playhouse
Steel River Playhouse is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable education and performance facility that seeks to strengthen community, inspire creative exploration, educate, and entertain, through the presentation of quality performing arts events and education for diverse audiences.