BWW Previews: IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre

Since 2012, the Don Bluth Front Row Theatre (nestled away in the northeast corner of Pima Crossing shopping center) has mounted IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE five times in a theater that only seats 75.

Each year is different. "The original production had 17 scene changes; Don literally tried to bring the movie to life," said Cheryl Schaar, who is directing IAWL for the third time and had the role of Ma Bailey in 2014.

George and Mary Bailey are played by Harmon Swartz (his first DBFRT production) and Erica Parrish, who has been in nearly 10 shows for Bluth. She also co-directs IAWL, is a choreographer and does playback theater for at-risk youth and adults.

During the course of the play, George Bailey ages nearly 20 years. "By the end of the show, I'm exhausted," Swartz confessed. "I think that's what I want everybody else to feel in the role, that exhaustion and then elation at the end."

As interracial parents, George and Mary are blessed with five children. "They're a beautifully blended family," said Schaar. "It just makes me want to cry when I see how much George loves this Mary, and how much they love these kids."

The diversity doesn't stop there. Franklin, the head angel, is now Francis (Kim Huenecke) and Mr. Carter, the bank examiner, became Clementine Carter (Skye Ayers). Joseph, Clarence's "angel-sponsor" if you will, is played by Eric Banks.

"To play the role of Joseph, as an African-American male, it's like somebody's handing me a mantle," said Banks. "I look at it as an honor, to be in this cast and to have that particular role."

American publisher Malcolm Forbes once said, "Diversity (is) the art of thinking independently together." Obviously, that applies to the 22 actors in this cast too.

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE runs through December 30 at the Don Bluth Front Row Theatre in North Scottsdale. Tickets are available online or by calling 480.314.0841.