STAGE TUBE: Sneak Peek - Watch Goodspeed's A WONDERFUL LIFE in Rehearsal!

By: Sep. 18, 2015
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Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Sheldon Harnick's uplifting musical A WONDERFUL LIFE reminds us how one person's life can touch that of so many others. Based on the beloved 1946 holiday movie classic, this charming musical is sure to inspire and entertain. A WONDERFUL LIFE will run tonight, September 18, through November 29 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. Official Press Opening will be October 14, 2015. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal below!

Bedford Falls comes alive as never before with the Goodspeed premiere of the magical tale of finding hope in your own hometown. In a tuneful re-imagining of the classic film "It's a Wonderful Life," a would-be angel swoops to the rescue of desperate banker George Bailey on Christmas Eve. From the Tony-winning co-creator of Fiddler on the Roof, it's a heartwarming family musical that celebrates the power of love and the goodness in all of us. Remember: "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings!"

A WONDERFUL LIFE is adapted from the Frank Capra film "It's A WONDERFUL LIFE." The tuner features Music by Joe Raposo who may be best known for his work on Sesame Street for which he wrote the theme song, as well as classics such as "Bein' Green" and "C is for Cookie," and Book and Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, who wrote Fiddler on the Roof, She Loves Me, and Fiorello! among others.

Duke Lafoon will play George Bailey. Ed Dixon will play Mr. Potter. Josh Franklin will play Sam Wainwright. Ryan G. Dunkin will play Ernie. Michael Medeiros will play Uncle Billy. George McDaniel will play Matthew/Tom/Mr. Martini. Kevin C. Loomis will play Bert. Ben Stone-Zelman will play Tommy. Sisters Riley Briggs and Ella Briggs will play the Bailey sisters, Beth and Zuzu.

The ensemble of A WONDERFUL LIFE will include Alissa Alter, Maddy Apple and Drew Nellessen. Hollis Scarborough will play Karen. Curtis Schroeger will also serve as Dance Captain. Carol Schuberg will play Mrs. Hatch. Laura E. Taylor will play Violet. Joining them will be John T. Wolfe and Jessica Wu. Alex Dreschke and Kate Cherichello will be the swings for this production. Brendan Oakley will understudy the role of Tommy, and Bobbie Celine Doherty will understudy the roles of Beth and Zuzu.

A WONDERFUL LIFE will be directed by Michael Perlman. Parker Esse will choreograph A WONDERFUL LIFE. Orchestrations for A WONDERFUL LIFE will be by Dan DeLange. A WONDERFUL LIFE's music director, Michael O'Flaherty, is in his 24th season as Goodspeed's Resident Music Director. Brian Prather will serve as A WONDERFUL LIFE's scenic designer. A WONDERFUL LIFE will feature costume designs by Jennifer Caprio. The lighting designer for A WONDERFUL LIFE will be Scott Bolman. Now in his 31st season as Goodspeed's Lighting and Sound Supervisor, Jay Hilton will serve as sound designer for A WONDERFUL LIFE. Mark Adam Rampmeyer will design wigs and hair for A WONDERFUL LIFE.

For tickets and more information, visit www.goodspeed.org.



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