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It really is 'A Wonderful Life' |
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| "It's A Wonderful Life," Frank Capra's 1946 film, continues to divide audiences as few other movies do. |
| To
some people, the story of George Bailey's efforts to help his neighbors in
Bedford Falls, N.Y., is heartwarming, beautifully made, and a classic that
leaves them feeling a surge of joy by the end. To others, "It's A Wonderful Life" is a cloying, phony, and oppressively sentimental piece of slop that makes them want to rush for the Pepto-Bismol. Your personal reaction to the movie -- and I have co-workers who groan out loud whenever TV commercials advertise it -- might dictate your reaction to the "A Wonderful Life" production by the Little Theatre of Fall River Inc., which uses the Capra film as the basis for a musical version. The story is intact. George has ambitious plans in life: to go off to college and become a great architect, to honeymoon in Paris. But he keeps giving up his plans to rescue his father's ailing savings and loan, which hits dire straits during the Great Depression. George's clients are mostly common people -- cab drivers, bakers, teachers -- and he extends them credit even when they can't afford to pay him back right away. Finally it seems to George that life has passed him by, that he's a failure, and he prepares to commit suicide. Can his guardian angel Clarence convince George that a life of self-sacrifice truly has meaning? The film's critics will argue that all this story needs is Barney the Dinosaur to rush in and sing "I love you, you love me ..." but since I'm among the movie's legion of fans, who cares what those sourpusses think? This is a great story because it has heart, and -- in this cynical era we're in -- the courage to believe so strongly in the power of helping others. The Little Theatre troupe treats the story with just the right balance of humor, pathos and charm, assembling a talented and appealing cast that hit all the right notes. As George, David Faria heads a fine group of actors and singers, including Roger Belanger as the villainous Mr. Potter, Frank Camera as George's pal Sam Wainwright, Bruce Kullander as George's absent-minded Uncle Billy, whose poor management skills help sink the savings and loan, and Ron Robinson as the savior Clarence. My favorite, though, was Vanessa Raposa, who is wonderful as George's girlfriend and then wife, Mary. It's a credit to Raposa's skill that she convincingly takes Mary from a shy, nervous teen-ager to the woman who becomes the pillar that George rests on. In the scene where Mary convinces George that it's not such a bad idea to skip their European honeymoon and stay in Bedford Falls, Raposa is funny and enchanting. There's a reason why television stations all across the country air "It's A Wonderful Life" during the holiday season. The film's message and spirit are positively euphoric. This musical -- which has songs by lyricist Sheldon Harnick and the late Fall River composer Joe Raposo -- was a great choice as well for a December performance. If you're already getting into the holiday spirit, check out "A Wonderful Life," since it's a great Christmas treat. Tickets are $12. Show times are at 8 p.m. tonight and Saturday, Dec. 8 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9. For ticket information, call the box office at 508-675-1852. |
| ŠThe Herald News 2001 |