MARK AUERBACH
EAST HADDAM, Conn. – The recent trend in musical theatre has been to turn towards Hollywood for content, and taking either a popular or obscure film, and transforming it into a musical. Sometimes, it works like a charm, as musicals like Newsies, Hairspray and The Producers outdo their film ancestors. Two recent Goodspeed musicals come to mind: this summer’s La Cage Aux Folles, transforned from a French film comedy into a 1980’s Broadway classic, and last season’s film-to-stage adaptation of Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn, which rates high on my list of all-time Goodspeed favorites.
Goodspeed’s current offering is A Wonderful Life, a musicalization of the Frank Capra film, which starred Jimmy Stewart. Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on The Roof) and Joe Raposo (Sesame Street), collaborated for many years to bring the musical to the stage, during which time Raposo died. After a workshop, the production made its debut at Arena Stage in Washington, DC in 1991, and it’s been produced elsewhere since.
Ed Dixon and Duke Lafoon in “A Wonderful Life”. (Photo by Diane Sobolewski)
Sheldon Harnick’s book is faithful to the film, and his lyrics, paired with Joe Raposo’s songs,are pleasant. (I suspect Raposo could have become a major Broadway player, had he lived. There’s lots of potential in this score.) But, since we know the film so well, neither expand on the film nor provide another layer of character, mood or emotion to give the film a wonderful life onstage. Michael Perlman’s direction is true to the source, but because so many of us know what happens next, there’s little suspense built into the staging. Michael O’Flaherty’s musical direction and Dan DeLange’s orchestration are superb; they bring out the best in Raposo’s score. Parker Esse’s choreography, especially a Charleston in the first act, is dazzling, but the show could use more of Esse’s paces and talents.
The Goodspeed design team does a terrific job of transforming the small stage into a variety of locales. Brian Prather’s sets, lit nicely by Scott Bolman, are fine Jennifer Caprio has dressed the company in an array of styles from the Roaring 20s to the World War II era.
Duke Lafoon is solid as George Bailey (the Jimmy Stewart part), and Kirsten Scott is lovely as Mary, his love interest and future wife. Frank Vlastnick charms as George’s guardian angel, Clarence. The ensemble, as always at Goodspeed, is excellent, and the orchestra is a joy to listen to.
Ella Briggs and Duke Lafoon in “A Wonderful Life”. (Photo by Diane Sobolewski)
If you’ve never seen the Capra classic, It’s A Wonderful Life, it may be an advantage seeing A Wonderful Life, because you don’t know what happens next. If you have seen the movie, you may find yourself, like I did, comparing film with musical adaptation.
Goodspeed Musicals presents “A Wonderful Life”. Book and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. Music by Joe Raposo. Adapted from the Frank Capra film It’s A Wonderful Life. Music direction by Michael O’Flaherty. Choreography by Parker Esse. Directed by Michael Perlman. Scenic design by Brian Prather. Costume design by Jennifer Caprio. Lighting design by Scott Bolman. Sound design by Jay Hilton. Through November 29.. Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam, CT. For tickets: 860-873-8668 or www.goodspeed.org.
Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio.
