‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ coming to Village Church stage in Rancho Santa Fe
The Village Church Community Theater is beginning final rehearsals for its upcoming performances of “It’s a Wonderful Life, The Musical,” on Friday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. Based on the movie classic by Frank Capra, beautiful and melodic music has been added which captures the spirit and period of the original movie. With the enduring message that “no one is a failure who has friends,” this heartwarming masterpiece continues to endure and still remains a powerful and moving holiday favorite.
A relative newcomer to the Village Church Community Theater stage, Jake Lewis plays the role of George Bailey of Bedford Falls, who dreams of escape and adventure have been repeatedly quashed by his loyalty to family and civic duty. His wife, Mary, is played by Ariana Arant. Brett Benson is George’s guardian angel who descends to save him from despair and show him what the world would have been like if he had never been born.
Supporting actors Ron Zollars and Chris Marshman take on the roles of Uncle Billy and Aunt Tilly, Linda Englund and Tommy Hersant are Ma and Pop Bailey, and Kyra McCullough performs a Broadway-style show stopper song and dance as Violet.
Rick Farley, last seen at the Village Church in “A Christmas Carol” as Marley, is the mean banker Mr. Potter. His secretary, Miss Crabtree, is Deidre Smith. The Bailey children are played by Lily Burke, Elizabeth Cullum, Kaia Leibo and Isabella Potenziani.
The show is directed by Margie Wood, with musical direction by Tamara Rodriguez and Jeff Brown. Twyla Arant is the lighting designer and Jane Lee is the costume director.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under, $25 for a family of 2 adults and 2 or more children 12 and under. A limited number of preferred reserved seats are available for $15. Tickets can be purchased at (858) 756-2441 ext 128 or margiew@villagechurch.org. For more information: villagechurchcommunitytheater.org.