It's a Wonderful Life, Theater For Hope’s
Christmas present to our community

It's a Wonderful Life is sponsored by John and Debbie Markl and includes a cast of 37 with 20 local families with multiple family members participating.

It's a Wonderful Life is based on the story The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern and was adapted into the classic film by Frank Capra and now adapted for stage by Philip Grecian. Theater For Hope is producing this play through special arrangement with the Dramatic Publishing Company, Inc., of Woodstock, Illinois. The production is also presented with the permission of The Greatest Gift Corporation.

It's a Wonderful Life is the story of George Bailey, the unsung, beloved hero of Bedford Falls. As a child, George risked his own life to save his brother from drowning. As he grew older, his countless small deeds mattered very much in the lives of the Falls townspeople. George prepares to leave town and go to college to fulfill his dream of building skyscrapers. However, when his father, the president of the small Bailey Building and Loan Company, dies, George postpones his dreams, manages the family company, and finds happiness in his marriage to Mary Hatch.

When Uncle Billy accidentally misplaces company funds, George faces financial ruin and almost certain imprisonment. Seeing no way out, he runs to the bridge over the river, prepared to plunge to his death. Enter Clarence, George's lovable, bumbling guardian angel, who has come to Bedford Falls to prove to George that his life is worth living and to earn wings for himself. He grants George one wish: to see what the world would be like if he had never been born. Suddenly Bedford Falls is a very unpleasant place: the bustling small town main street is lined with pool halls and saloons; none of his friends or family recognize him, not even his beloved wife, Mary, who, in this world without him, is a prim spinster.

Pursued by police, George returns to the bridge and begs to have his life back. Clarence grants it and George runs home to find his children, his wife, and a town that rallies to support him. Finally, George comes to realize…it truly is a wonderful life.

This will be Theater For Hope’s 10th production since it was established in 2021 and its 4th Christmas production by Webster Crocker, Thomas Bryson, Heidi Scheibmeir,
Leandra Williams, and with assistance of Jon and Shelley Shurtleff and Tina Ross, as well as our several sponsors.

Theater For Hope’s mission is to provide a family friendly environment for the youth of our community to learn and develop their love and appreciation, as well as their skills and interests for the theater and the performing arts.

Theater For Hope looks forward to sharing this special holiday gift with you December 18,19, 20 so you too can experience that “It's a Wonderful Life!”