THEATRE UNDER THE STARS
Founded by Frank M. Young 1968
PRESENTS
A WONDERFUL LIFE
December 11 - 23, 2007
Theatre Under The Stars proudly presents the timeless
masterpiece A WONDERFUL LIFE as its holiday production, December 11 - 23, 2007
at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Single tickets may be
purchased by calling 713-558-TUTS or online at
www.TUTS.com. Photo by Bruce Bennett.
HOUSTON,
TEXAS...Ring in the holiday cheer when one of the most popular and heartwarming
films ever made comes to life on stage! Based on Frank Capra’s 1946 classic
film, Theatre Under The Stars proudly presents the timeless masterpiece A
Wonderful Life as its holiday production, December 11-23, 2007 at the Hobby Center for
the Performing Arts (800 Bagby at Walker). Featuring a book and lyrics by
Sheldon Harnick (of Fiddler on the Roof fame) and music by Joe Raposo (“Sesame
Street” composer), A Wonderful Life is the musical adaptation of the Golden
Globe Award-winning film “It’s a Wonderful Life,” starring Jimmy Stewart.
Recently, It’s A Wonderful Life celebrated 60 years as one of America’s favorite
holiday traditions when it topped the American Film Institute’s list of Most
Inspiring Films of All Time.
George Dvorsky will star as George Bailey, the role immortalized on screen by
Jimmy Stewart with Mary Illes as Mary Hatch Bailey. Dvorsky has been seen on
Broadway in The Scarlet Pimpernel, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Passion and The
Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. A Wonderful Life marks Dvorsky’s sixth TUTS
appearance. Most recently, Dvorsky starred in TUTS’ 110 in the Shade, Anything
Goes and Brigadoon.
GEORGE DVORSKY plays the role of poor old GEORGE BAILEY who
got stuck running his father's business Bailey Building & Loan. This role
was originated by Jimmy Stewart in the movie IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE.
Theatre Under The Stars' holiday production runs from December 11 - 23, 2007 at
the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Single tickets may be purchased
by calling 713-558-TUTS or online at www.TUTS.com.
Previously, Illes was seen on Broadway in The Music Man, The Scarlet Pimpernel,
Steel Pier, and She Loves Me. Other credits include appearing in Sunset
Boulevard in Toronto, Canada and TUTS’ World Premiere of What Every Happened To
Baby Jane?.
TUTS’ Associate Artistic Director, Roy Hamlin, will serve as Director with Paula
Sloan as Choreographer. For TUTS, Hamlin has directed 110 in the Shade, Anything
Goes, Brigadoon, and The Wizard of Oz. Other Houston directing credits include
Call Me Madam, Bunnicula, and Underneath the Lintel with Main Street Theatre;
Baby with Stages Repertory; and The Miss Firecracker Contest for the historic
Strand Theatre in Galveston. Houstonian Paula Sloan will serve as choreographer.
Previously, Sloan choreographed National tours of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and
The Unsinkable Molly Brown and is currently directing and choreographing the new
National Tour of Urban Cowboy and the upcoming National Tour of Little Women.
Joining Dvorsky and Illes in TUTS’ production of A Wonderful Life are Erik
Devine (Matthew), whose stage credits include Broadway’s Cats and Ragtime;
Michael Arnold (Ernie Bishop), whose Broadway credits include the original cast
of Cats and 42nd Street Revival; Kevin Cooney (Uncle Billy), who has appeared in
numerous TUTS shows, TV’s “Nip/Tuck” and “Scrubs,” and has been seen in both
Legally Blonde films; David Koch (Sam Wainwright), who was seen in Broadway’s
original casts of Jekyll & Hyde and The Pirate Queen; Hal Robinson (Henry
Potter), who appeared on Broadway in Cabaret and Grand Hotel; Susan Shofner (Milly
Bailey), who has appeared in thirteen TUTS shows and the National Tour of The
Best Little Whorehouse in Texas; Corby Sullivan (Harry Bailey), who is returning
to TUTS having been seen in 110 in the Shade; Michael Tapley (Bert), who has
appeared in numerous TUTS shows and was seen on Broadway in The Who’s Tommy and
Evita; and Patrick Richwood (Clarence), who has been seen in The Little Shop of
Horrors and in films including The Princess Diaries and Beaches.
(L-R) Erick Devine (Matthew) and George Dvorsky (George
Bailey) star in Theatre Under The Stars' holiday production, A WONDERFUL LIFE
December 11 - 23, 2007 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Single
tickets may be purchased by calling 713-558-TUTS or online at
www.TUTS.com. Photo by Bruce Bennett.
The ensemble cast includes Gary Bankston, John Berno, Marybelle Chaney, Ven
Daniel, Angela Kristin Dickens, Ashlee Fife, Nkrumah Gatling, Mitchell Greco,
Mark Laskowski, Reid Lee, Philip Lehl, Pamela M. Moore, Theresa Nelson, Marc Oka,
Briana Resa, Krissy Richmond, Jim Shaffer, Christina Stroup, Lee Jane Walker,
Karl Warden, and Paige Wheat and Nirayl Wilcox. Joining the student ensemble are
performers from The Academy at TUTS’ Humphreys School of Musical Theatre, which
includes Michael Bevan, Sam Burkett, Sarah Burkett, Chris Canal, Sydney Crofton,
Jack Delac, Maureen Fenninger, Jessica Ferguson, Noelle Flores, Trey Harrington,
Mark Jackson, Trey Stoker, Caroline Taylor, Emily Thompson, Charity Van Tassel,
and Samantha West.
Set in the small town of Bedford Falls in the 1940s, A Wonderful Life is the
story of George Bailey, who has a heart of gold but has long felt like a
failure. When George wonders what life would be like if he had never been born,
an angel shows him how different the world would be if he didn’t exist.
The creative team will also includes Ed Goldschneider (Music
Director/Conductor), Art Yelton (Conductor), Charlie Smith (Scenic
Designer/Projection Designer), William Cusick (Projection Designer), Gail
Baldoni (Costume Design), Richard Winkler (Lighting Designer) and Christopher
“Kit” Bond (Sound Designer).
Single tickets for TUTS’ production of A Wonderful Life ($29-$93) are available
to the public by phone at (713) 558-8887 or outside the Houston area at (888)
558-3882; or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, (800 Bagby at
Walker, Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm); or on-line at www.tuts.com. Audio
described performances are available December 23 at 2 p.m.; open captioning
December 23 at 7:30 p.m. Wheelchair accessible. Student discount tickets are
available one hour before performance. Group discounts available for 15 or more
and may be purchased by calling (713) 558-8888.
Mary Illes (Center) stars as Mary Hatch Bailey in Theatre
Under The Stars' holiday production, A WONDERFUL LIFE, December 11 - 23,
2007 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Single tickets may be
purchased by calling 713-558-TUTS or online at
www.TUTS.com. Photo by Bruce Bennett.
TUTS 2007-2008 “40th Anniversary” Season is sponsored by UBS Investment Bank.
Sponsors of TUTS’ production of A Wonderful Life include ConocoPhillips, Cokinos
Bosien & Young, Spectra Energy and Ballard Exploration Company, Inc. Air
transportation is provided by Continental Airlines, the official airline of
Theatre Under The Stars. Additional support is provided by St. Luke’s Episcopal
Health System, the Official Healthcare Partner of Theatre Under The Stars. Media
sponsors are ABC-13 and Houston Chronicle.
Founded in 1968, Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is Houston’s acclaimed
non-profit musical theatre company and is currently under the direction of
President and CEO John C. Breckenridge. Dedicated to producing new works and
classic masterpieces, the 2007-2008 “Dream of a Season” celebrates TUTS’ 40th
Anniversary Season of bringing world-class musical theatre to Houston audiences.
TUTS was the first theatrical organization in Houston to perform free to the
public in 1968 at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park, and is the only
Houston arts organization that has performed there free to the public every year
since the building opened. Since its founding by Frank M. Young, TUTS has
produced more than 300 musicals including many local, national and world
premieres such as Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, as well as International tours
including Debbie Reynolds in The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Juliet Prowse in Mame,
Robert Goulet in Man of La Mancha, the Tony Award-winning revival of Carousel
and the Deaf West Theatre production of Big River. As a way to continue the
tradition of musical theatre, TUTS’ Humphreys School of Musical Theatre provides
instruction and stage experience for more than 1,700 students annually through
both The Academy and The Studio, which allow students to flourish in a
year-round schedule of classes. Housed in the Hobby Center for the Performing
Arts, TUTS also annually presents the Tommy Tune Awards, honoring the best and
brightest in Houston’s high school musical theatre programs.
George Bailey asks Mary, "Why in the world would you ever
marry a guy like me?" Mary responds, "To keep from being an old maid."
(L-R) Mary Illes (Mary Hatch Bailey) and George Dvorsky (George Bailey)
star in Theatre Under The Stars' holiday production, A WONDERFUL LIFE December
11 - 23, 2007 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Single tickets
may be purchased by calling 713-558-TUTS or online at
www.TUTS.com. Photo by Bruce Bennett.
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SCENES AND MUSICAL NUMBERS
ACT I
SCENE 1: Prologue – George’s Prayer………….George & Company
SCENE 2: Heaven
SCENE 3: Hepner’s Luggage Shop
SCENE 4: Main Street, Bedford Falls
The Year, Europe!............George, Bert, Ernie, the Martinis, Violet, The People of Bedford Falls
SCENE 5: The Bailey Home
One of the Lucky Ones / Can You Find Me a House?................Tom & George
SCENE 6: Bedford Falls High School Gymnasium
In a State………………………..Sam & Townspeople
A Wonderful Life………………Sam, Karen, George, Mary and Townspeople
Theatre Under The Stars proudly presents the timeless
masterpiece A WONDERFUL LIFE as its holiday production, December 11 - 23, 2007
at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Single tickets may be
purchased by calling 713-558-TUTS or online at
www.TUTS.com. Photo by Bruce Bennett.
SCENE 7: A Street Near the Ganville House
If I Had A Wish………………...George & Mary
SCENE 8: Heaven
SCENE 9: The Bailey Building & Loan Association
SCENE 10: Heaven – Wings…………………….Clarence, Matthew, Ensemble
SCENE 11: The Bailey Home
SCENE 12: A Street Near Mary Hatch’s Home
SCENE 13: The Hatch Parlor
Good Night……………………….George & Mary
Now What I Expected…….................……….Mary
SCENE 14: A Church
Not What I Expected (Conclusion)………………..Mary, George, Townspeople
SCENE 15: The Bailey Building & Loan Association
Panic at the Building & Loan………………...George, Uncle Billy, Townspeople
SCENE 16: The Granville House
A Wonderful Life…..……………………..George & Mary
George’s Prayer…...……..............…………………George
(L-R) Erick Devine (Matthew) and Patrick Richwood (Clarence)
star in Theatre Under The Stars' holiday production, A WONDERFUL LIFE December
11 - 23, 2007 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Single tickets
may be purchased by calling 713-558-TUTS or online at
www.TUTS.com. Photo by Bruce Bennett.
ACT II
SCENE 1: Prologue – Can You Find Me a House?.........................Townspeople
SCENE 2: Heaven
SCENE 3: Bailey Park: the Martinis’ New House
SCENE 4: Henry Potter’s Office
First Class All The Way…………………………………..Mr. Potter
SCENE 5: George & Mary’s Bedroom
I Couldn’t Be With Anyone But You……………………...Mary
SCENE 6: Heaven
SCENE 7: Montage: Streets of Bedford Falls, The Bailey Building & Loan, and Henry Potter’s Bank – Welcome a Hero………………………………….Townspeople
Patrick Richwood stars as George Bailey's guardian angel,
Clarence who is sent to help George in his hour of need. Theatre Under The
Stars' holiday production, A WONDERFUL LIFE plays December 11 - 23, 2007 at the
Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Single tickets may be purchased by
calling 713-558-TUTS or online at www.TUTS.com.
Photo by Bruce Bennett.
SCENE 8: The Granville House
Christmas Gifts………………………………….The Bailey Family Children
SCENE 9: ZuZu’s Bedroom – Precious Little…………………..George
SCENE 10: Henry Potter’s Office
SCENE 11: A Railroad Crossing
SCENE 12: Martini’s Restaurant
SCENE 13: The “Unborn Sequence”
George Bailey, You Were Never Born……….George, Clarence, Mrs. Martini, Uncle Billy, Ernie, Violet, Bert, Milly, Mary, Potterville Townspeople
SCENE 14: The Granville House
A Wonderful Life…..……………………………..George
Welcome a Hero………………………………….Townspeople
Christmas Gifts………………………………….The Bailey Family, Townspeople
Uncle Billy bumps into the rich and powerfully evil Henry
Potter at the bank right before he loses the Bailey Building & Loan deposit.
(L-R) Kevin Cooney (Uncle Billy) and Hal Robinson (Henry Potter) star in Theatre
Under The Stars' holiday production, A WONDERFUL LIFE December 11 - 23, 2007 at
the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Single tickets may be purchased
by calling 713-558-TUTS or online at www.TUTS.com.
Photo by Bruce Bennett.
FUN FACTS – IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
(The Original Film Version)
LET IT SNOW!
Films made prior to “It’s A Wonderful Life” used cornflakes painted white for the falling snow effect. Because the cornflakes were so loud, dialogue had to be dubbed in later. Frank Capra wanted to record the sound live, so a new snow effect was developed using foamite (a fire-fighting chemical) and soap and water. This mixture was then pumped at high pressure through a wind machine to create the silent falling snow. 6000 gallons of the new snow were used in the film. The RKO Effects Department received a special award from the Motion Picture Academy for the development of the new film snow.
ONE TIME ONLY
This was the first and last time that Frank Capra produced, financed, directed and co-wrote one of his films.
The original film version of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
produced, directed and co-written by Frank Capra
AMAZING AIM
For the scene that required Donna Reed to throw a rock into the window of the Granville House, Frank Capra hired a marksman to shoot it out for her on cue. To everyone’s amazement, Donna Reed broke the window with true aim, without the assistance of the hired marksman!
THE BEST FILM…
In 2004, the BBC TV listings magazine “Radio Times” conducted a poll into the Best Film Never to Have Won an Oscar. It’s A Wonderful Life came second (The Shawshank Redemption (1994) was first).
HOW MUCH FILM DOES IT TAKE?
350,000 feet of film was used to film “It’s a Wonderful Life”.
The original film version of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
starring Donna Reed and James Stewart
IT TAKES A VILLAGE…AN ENTIRE VILLAGE!
The set for Bedford Falls was constructed in two months and was one of the longest sets that had ever been made for an American movie. It covered four acres of the RKO’s Encino Ranch. It included 75 stores and buildings, Main Street, factory district and a large residential and slum area. The Main Street was 300 yards long, three whole city blocks!
DON’T SWEAT IT!
The scene on the bridge where Clarence saves George was filmed on a back lot on a day where the temperature was 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This is why James Stewart is visibly sweating in a few scenes.
HEAT WAVE
Despite being set around Christmas, it was filmed during a heat wave. It got to be so hot that Frank Capra gave everyone a day off to recuperate.
The Holiday Season celebrates the meaning of family and faith
when Theatre Under The Stars produces A WONDERFUL LIFE from December 11 - 23,
2007 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Photo from the Paper
Mill Playhouse 2006 production.
"Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings!" The holiday season
celebrates the meaning of family and faith when TUTS produces A WONDERFUL LIFE,
the story of George Bailey and his angel Clarence. Photo courtesy of
TUTS.