Event

It’s A Wonderful Life At The Armory

Friday, November 6, 2009 at 2:44 PM

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE AT THE ARMORY


WHAT: The Armory Restaurants and Dinner Theater's production of A Wonderful Life written by Sheldon Harnick, with music by Joe Paroso, and directed by Scott Michaels


WHEN: November 6, 2009-December 20, 2009

Evenings: Friday & Saturday - Seating: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Show Time: 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 6, 13, & 20 - Seating: 5:00-5:30 p.m. Show Time: 7:00 p.m.

Matinees: Saturday & Sunday - Seating: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Show Time: 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: The Armory - Drill Hall Theater, 10 South High Street, Janesville

TICKETS: $69.30 (+ tax) includes dinner and show. Price does not include beverage or gratuity.

Are available by phone at 866-995-7400; online at www.JanesvilleArmory.com; or in person at the Armory Box Office, 10 South High Street. Call 866-995-7400 for box office hours.


(November 2, 2009--Janesville, Wisconsin) Just in time for the season of cheer and good will, a Christmas classic is revisited, taking the stage at the Armory Restaurants and Dinner Theater is A Wonderful Life, adapted from Frank Capra's film "It's A Wonderful Life," by Sheldon Harnick, with music by Joe Raposo. Let the residents of Bedford Falls warm your hearts with hope with this holiday production which runs from November 6-December 20. Purchase your tickets early to get the best seats in the house by calling 866-995-7400 or b logging onto www.JanesvilleArmory.com.


Set in 1945 and directed by guest director Scott Michaels, A Wonderful Life tells the story of George Bailey, an average guy who spends a lifetime sacrificing his own ambitions for the sake of others-continually setting aside his own dreams in order to keep his late father's building and loan business afloat. When a greedy banker manufactures a scandal that threatens to send him to jail, George is crushed and contemplates suicide. Sent to help him in his hour of need, a guardian angel reveals to him how different the world and everyone whose life he has touched would be had he never been born. An uplifting chronicle of the extraordinary lives of ordinary folk, Wonderful Life exhilarates the mind and heart as it celebrates the innate goodness in us all.


In transporting director Frank Capra's 1946 film of It's a Wonderful Life from screen to stage, Sheldon Harnick didn't try to duplicate the movie scene for scene. Instead, he and composer Joe Raposo went their own way, following the general story of the Christmas classic but giving themselves room for the songs they wanted to include in retelling the story. In doing this, they put a different twist on the story, with the help of a little borrowing from Carousel. They begin their tale in heaven, and they relate George Bailey's life history in flashback as Clarence, the Angel Second Class assigned to George's case, learns from his white-haired superior Joseph th circumstances that led up to George's dilemma.

Playwright Harnick and composer Raposo worked for many years to put together a musical version of It's a Wonderful Life, but just as the musical's book was completed, a controversy arose over the rights to the underlying Stern story, "The Greatest Gift," that delayed production of the show. During this delay, Raposo died of cancer in 1989. A Wonderful Life was performed for the first time at the University of Michigan in 1986, followed by a staged reading at Paper Mill Playhouse in 1990. It had a successful run at Washington, DC's Arena Stage in 1991. Since then, there have been numerous revivals nationwide including a 2005 staged concer version in New York City.

Single tickets prices are $69.30 (+tax) for Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening as well as Saturday and Sunday matinee performances. All tickets include an elegant dinner and a professional performance. The Armory Box Office staff is available in person at 608-741-7400 or toll free at 866-995-7400. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.JanesvilleArmory.com.

Photo Credits: Scott Michaels
George Bailey (Brandon Springman) and Mary Hatch (Caroline Kobylarz) from the Armory Restaurants and Dinner Theater's production of "A Wonderful Life"


UPCOMING ARMORY SHOWS


The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
January 15-February 28, 2010


Music and Lyrics by William Finn

Book by Rachel Sheinkin

Six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learn that winning isn't everything and that losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a hilarious tale of overachievers' angst chronicling the experience of six adolescent outsiders vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. The show's Tony Award winning creative team has created the unlikeliest of hit musicals about the unlikeliest of heroes: a quirky yet charming cast of outsiders for whom a spelling bee is the one place where they can stand out and fit in at the same time.

"The word for it is W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L" - The Philadelphia Inquirer

THE ARMORY COMPLEX

Built in the 1930's, used during World War II by the 192nd Tank Battalion and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the renovated Armory is leading the rejuvenation of downtown Janesville, Wisconsin as the area's newest and most exciting entertainment venue. The Armory offers three distinct dining experiences. The Drill Hall Theater combines elegant dining in a theater setting with professional musical productions. Modern, casual dining and an outdoor patio are featured in the Bunker Lounge. Specializing in Contemporary American cuisine, the Lieutenants Restaurant offers a chic and intimate dining atmosphere. For more information, visit www.JanesvilleArmory.com or call 866-995-7400.

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