‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ at Home Made Theater starting Saturday
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> One of the most difficult things an actor can be asked to do is play a character who is indelibly identified with a specific actor.
One example is George Bailey who was originally played by Jimmy Stewart in the 1946 film, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” A second is Mary Hatch (who becomes George’s wife), who was played by Donna Reed in the same film.
The stage version of “It’s a Wonderful Life” is being offered by Home Made Theater in Saratoga Springs weekends starting this Saturday through Dec. 22. The two central characters are being played by local actors Byron Dane Turner (George) and Lucia Martin (Mary).
In separate telephone interviews both admitted the task was initially daunting. However, they say during rehearsals they found enough of themselves in the characters that the portrayals will be their own.
Turner said he originally tried to channel Stewart in his work, but their director Laurie Larson quickly put an end to that. “She told me to be myself. She said she wanted to see me up there, not Jimmy Stewart. When Laurie explained that she cast me for what I could bring to George, it gave me confidence and the character became mine. It was a great note that I’ve followed.”
Martin points out, “Mary was played by the wonderful Donna Reed. It would be foolish to stray too far from what she did. But I think I’ve been able to find some ways to shine a new light on Mary.”
She suggests Mary’s strength of personality and her sacrifices to support George are neglected.
Pointing out Mary’s leadership roles, she says, “Don’t overlook the fact that it was Mary who during the bank crisis comes in with a fistful of cash. Her quick thinking and her willingness to sacrifice their honeymoon saved the bank.”
Martin, whose extensive theater experience is heavy in musical theater, describes Mary as “a complex person.” She believes Mary’s defining trait is her loyalty to George. “When they first fall in love she believes he will go off and fulfill his dreams of travel and adventure.
“She believes in him and wants to be alongside him. She wants to share his adventures.”
Turner, is a regular at Home Made Theater and has a holiday history with the theater, having performed in “A Christmas Carol” both in 2003 and 2017, He also had the male lead in last season’s “A Christmas Story.” Adding to the warmth of entertaining the community at the holidays is that his wife Susan, (whom he calls “my Mary”) and their two children are also in this production.
When asked how playing George has affected him personally, he answers, “George’s unselfishness is humbling. Trying to find what makes him tick has taught me a lot about myself. I like to think of myself as a good person, but there are times when I compare myself to George and I sometimes question whether or not I can do better.”
Turner is even impressed about the reasons George considers suicide by jumping off a bridge. “He’s concerned about the financial security of his family. He believes his insurance policy is the only means of guaranteeing his family financial security. He literally would give up his life for his family.”
But George also has a temper. When he learns that Uncle Billy lost the bank deposit that could put the bank out of business and put George in jail, George loses his temper with his uncle. He then comes home and berates Mary and yells at the kids.
When asked how a contemporary wife would deal with such a scene, Martin admits it would be probably be much different. She quickly adds, “It’s impossible to replicate a marriage in the way it was in the 1940s. One our concerns was not to show Mary as too passive. This is an educated, smart woman. She knew staying calm was best for everyone.”
After a considered laugh there is a delay, and she says, “I’m not going to say how I would have handled the situation.”
Would Lucia Martin marry George Bailey today? “I think so,” she answers. “He’s a good and decent man. I think he’d be a devoted husband.” Then she adds a 2019 caveat. “But he’d have to be willing to follow me on MY adventure.”
“It’s a Wonderful Life,” weekends Dec. 13-22. Produced by Home Made Theater at the Spa Little Theatre in Saratoga State Park.