Sudbury Theatre Centre launches into the holiday season this Thursday, December 1, with a sparkling rendition of Frank Capra’s beloved family classic, It’s a Wonderful Life.

For many, watching Capra’s film has become as much of a Christmas tradition as decorating the tree. George Bailey is familiar as the everyman of Bedford Falls. His dreams eclipse the boundaries of his sleepy hometown, but his unwavering loyalty and generosity keep him from ever leaving. One fateful Christmas Eve, George finds himself alone and in trouble. Will he learn that his has been, after all, a wonderful life?

“This is much more than a great story, more than a classic film,” notes STC Artistic Executive Director, Caleb Marshall, the adaptor and director of It’s a Wonderful Life. “I’ve gone very few Christmases without it, and those I did never felt quite right. This compelling drama seemed a natural choice for a stage adaptation.”

When first developing the show, Marshall found inspiration in popular radio plays of the 1940s. “Words in the theatre have the power to paint a thousand words. I knew a radio drama approach could likewise create something as sweeping and epic as the film in our minds.” The end result is a story that weaves seamlessly between an old-fashioned studio – cleverly designed by Patrick Clark and Brandon Kleiman to look like an antique radio – and scenes around Bedford Falls that seem to burst to life out of the radio. The dance competition is sure to entertain, if not set off a Charleston revival, thanks to local choreographer, Lauren Foy and a lively score by Michael Doherty. Doherty joins Annik Welsh on stage to produce live sound effects, an inheritance from the world of radio.

Mark Crawford and Ellen Denny star as the tender couple, George and Mary Bailey. Eleven actors will play over sixty characters over the course of the show. Be sure to watch out for Jessica Vandenberg’s head-spinning turn as Tilly and Violet in Act Two. STC is thrilled to showcase this impressive and dynamic cast in action, including its four local talents: Richard Barlow, Katrine Brosseau, Yvonne Davidson, and Rowan Mullin Santone.

It’s a Wonderful Life captivates by the simplicity of its message: The most important thing we can do with our two hands is to extend them to each other when the chips are down. STC will be collecting food and cash donations on behalf of the Sudbury Food Bank for the duration of the run.

Take a break from tinseling the tree and take in this piece of wintery magic. It’s a Wonderful Life is on stage at the Sudbury Theatre Centre December 1 to 18, Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The theatre is dark on Monday.

Regular tickets are $36 for adults, $32 for seniors, $22 for those under 30, and $12 for students. Tickets for the Friday, Dec. 2 Opening Night Director’s Circle featuring a preshow chat with members of the creative team and post-show reception and on-stage tour of the set with the full company $45. A pay-what-you-can Relaxed Performance will be offered Sunday, Dec. 18 and advance tickets are available at the reduced price of $15. Relaxed Performances feature key changes to the production designed to be more hospitable to individuals suffering from anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders, or anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed performance environment.

Tickets are available now at the DiBrina Box Office in-person at 170 Shaughnessy Street in Downtown Sudbury, by calling 705 674 8381, or online at sudburytheatre.ca.

THE COMPANY

CAST

MARK CRAWFORD as George Bailey

ELLEN DENNY as Mary Bailey

YVONNE DAVIDSON as Mrs. Bailey + others

RICHARD BARLOW as Ernie/Marty/Martini/Carter

JESSICA VANDENBERG as Tilly/Violet

ROBBIE O’NEILL as Announcer/Clarence/Henry Potter/Ed

KELLY PENNER as Harry/Nick/Bert

NICHOLAS RICE as Gower/Bailey/Billy

RICHARD ALAN CAMPBELL as Joseph/Sam/Charlie/Reinman

KATRINE BROSSEAU as Young Mary/Zuzu

ROWAN MULLIN SANTONE as Young George/Peter

CREATIVE TEAM

CALEB MARSHALL, Director, Adapter

PATRICK CLARK, Set + Costume Designer (Theatre New Brunswick)

BRANDON KLEIMAN, Set + Costume Facilitator(STC)

KIRSTEN WATT, Lighting Designer

MICHAEL DOHERTY, Sound Designer/Composer

LAUREN FOY, Choreographer

DAVID BROWNE, Apprentice Director

MICHAEL DOHERTY + ANNIK WELSH, Foley Artists

JENNIFER STOBART, Stage Manager

ERIKA MOREY, Assistant Stage Manager

MARY ANNE FRASER, Child Minder

PRODUCTION TEAM KATHERINE SMITH, Production Manager/Scenic + Props Construction/Set Install/LX Hang

BEN WHITEMAN, Technical Director/Scenic + Props Construction/Set Install/LX Hang + Focus/ Sound Install

MIRANDA VanLOGERENBERG, Head of Wardrobe/Costume Construction/Alterations

DREW SAUNDERS, Head Technician/Set Install/LX Hang + Focus/Sound Install/Sound Operator

ELIZABETH KENNY, Head of Properties/Props Builder

CHRISTINA MAITLAND, Costume Construction/Alterations/Props Stitcher

MATHIEU COOL, Carpenter

TREVOR TENHAVE, Carpenter/Props Builder

DYLAN CUSSON, Painter/Set Install THE PAINTING COMPANY, Floor Treatment

BRIDGETTE KORONOVICH, Painter

CHRISTINE EMERSON, Wig Styling + Maintenance