Arts & Entertainment

Bedford Falls is Back to Charm Dexter Audiences in 'It's a Wonderful Life'

The musical will open Thursday at the Encore Theatre and will run through Dec. 23.

Just in time for the holidays, the in Dexter will close out the 2011 season with its original version of It's a Wonderful Life.

The show, which debuted at the Encore last year, is written by Encore veteran Jon Huffman, with music by John McDaniel (The Rosie O’Donnell Show), Kathie Lee Gifford (Live with Regis and Kathie Lee) and Encore co-founder Dan Cooney.

Director Barb Cullen said audiences who attended last year's show will notice considerable differences with the addition of new songs and some character changes.

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"As far as the cast goes, about half of the cast were in the show last year, and half are new," she said. "It brings a new and exciting energy to the show. To me, it feels like a very different show entirely."

Cullen said the script closely follows George Capra’s classic 1946 movie, which tells the story of George Bailey, a man who always does the right thing, even though it’s at the expense of his own ambitions. In a crisis, he wonders whether the world would be better off if he’d never been born. When Clarence, an angel, is sent to help George, he begins to realize just how wrong he is.

Find out what's happening in Dexterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Steve DeBruyne, who plays Clarence, said he's excited to don the angel wings once more.

"Outside of the show itself, the movie has become an iconic American tradition, and what's really great is a lot of our patrons who saw the show last year are really excited to see it again this year," DeBruyne said. "It's becoming a new tradition for Dexter.

"We're excited that people are excited to see it back," he said. "You never know how people are going to respond to something two years in a row."

Cullen said bringing the town of Bedford Falls to life was no easy feat. But with a cast of 30 actors and set designer Leo Babcock, who took photos from the original film to recreate the town, she feels confident audiences will walk away pleased.

"Barbara and I have both seen other versions of the show, and we've walked away thinking, 'This is nothing like the movie,' " DeBruyne said. "Our version is pretty darn close."

In anticipation of sellout crowds, the Encore has added six more performances to its schedule, bringing the total to 30 shows through Dec. 23.

"Last year, especially as the show was coming to an end, we had waiting lists with just name after name of people hoping for tickets," DeBruyne said. "What we see a lot of times is people waiting until the very end to try and see a show, but we don't have tickets left, and they end up missing it."

Patrons who attend the official opening night of It’s a Wonderful Life on Friday are invited to attend the opening night afterglow party with the cast and crew at following the show. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be provided, along with a cash bar.

This year, lunch packages are available during the Thursday matinee performances. Lunch is provided by restaurant and includes any sandwich, fries or side salad, a nonalcoholic beverage, dessert and tax and tip, followed by a 3 p.m. matinee of It’s a Wonderful Life. Lunch packages cost $39.

Tickets for all performances are on sale now and may be purchased at the Encore's box office or online at theencoretheatre.org.

"Whether you’re visiting Bedford Falls for the second time or you’re a first-time guest, we’re confident that It’s a Wonderful Life will put you in the perfect holiday spirit," DeBruyne said.


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