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CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK PRESENTS THIS WONDERFUL LIFE, (CINCINNATI) – The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park officially begins its holiday celebrations in the Shelterhouse Theatre with the regional premiere of This Wonderful Life, a one-man adaptation of the Frank Capra film It's a Wonderful Life. Written by Steve Murray and conceived by Mark Setlock, the show offers a new theatrical twist on the beloved holiday tale from November 11 to December 23. The plight of George Bailey is seen in a fresh light and through different eyes as one actor faithfully recreates more than two dozen characters from the film while he also serves as a narrator, offering amusing commentary on the action. It’s Christmas Eve. The story starts with the sound of voices, all offering the same prayer: asking God to help George Bailey. The audience learns that George, fearing that he’s failed his family, his friends and his community, is considering suicide. An angel-in-waiting named Clarence, who has yet to earn his wings, is assigned the task of saving George. George tells Clarence that it would be better for his friends and family if he’d never been born. This sparks an idea, and Clarence decides to show George how bleak life would have been if he’d never existed. What George discovers is that every man’s life touches many others and that no man who has friends is a failure. Audience members don’t need to be die-hard fans of the film to enjoy this new spin on the heartfelt holiday classic. The idea for a one-man adaptation of It's a Wonderful Life was conceived by actor Mark Setlock. “About 25 years ago I saw the movie, when I was in high school,” Mr. Setlock said. “And I was just really caught up in it. … I got sucked into the movie, watched it over and over and over again. And started doing imitations from it, started doing little scenes from it, usually backstage at shows I was doing. Until about 10 years ago a friend of mine backstage at a show said, ‘You ought to do a show, a one-man show of this.’” Mr. Setlock mentioned his concept to a contact at Portland Center Stage, where he was working several years ago. The following year the theatre was looking for a new holiday show and remembered his idea. Writer Steve Murray and director Martha Banta were brought on board, and the show premiered there last season. Ms. Banta also will serve as the director of the Cincinnati production of This Wonderful Life. She previously directed Barbara's Blue Kitchen for the Playhouse’s 2002 Shelterhouse season. The roles of George Bailey and all of the story’s other characters will be portrayed by Harry Bouvy. Mr. Bouvy recently portrayed Carmen Ghia in the national tour of The Producers. This Wonderful Life marks his fourth appearance in a one-man show, with others including I Am My Own Wife, Fully Committed and Chesapeake. Additional members of the production team include James F. Wolk (Set Designer), Gordon DeVinney (Costume Designer), Mary Louise Geiger (Lighting Designer) and Jill BC Du Boff (Sound Designer). The stage manager is Suann Pollock. Tickets to This Wonderful Life are on sale now. Prices range from $46 to $55, depending on day and seat location. All tickets are $39 for the preview performances at 5 p.m. Saturday, November 11; 7 p.m. Sunday, November 12; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 14; and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 15. The official opening night is Thursday, November 16 at 8 p.m. Due to Thanksgiving, there is no performance on Thursday, November 23. Instead there is a performance on Monday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m. Any unreserved tickets are half-price every day when purchased between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the show (for performances Tuesday through Saturday) and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available. For tickets to This Wonderful Life or for more information, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 or toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208. Call 513/345-2248 for TDD accessibility. For single tickets purchased by telephone through the Playhouse box office there is a $3 convenience fee per call. Tickets also can be purchased on the Playhouse web site at www.cincyplay.com. Artists fly to and from Cincinnati on Delta Connection Comair, the Playhouse’s official airline. The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to the Fine Arts Fund. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the City of Cincinnati. |
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Meet the Artists 2 p.m. Sunday, November 19 Dining Options Karlo's Bistro at the Playhouse offers full-service dining prior to most evening performances. Dinners include salad, entrée and dessert. Reservations are required by noon on the day of the show. The price is $21, which does not include gratuity. Karlo's Casual Fare offers busy theatre patrons an alternative light, quick bite prior to the show. Options include salads, sandwiches, soups, pasta and desserts. No reservations are required. Sponsors Production Sponsor: Honorary Producers: Fine Arts Fund Partners: The 2006-2007 Shelterhouse Theatre Series is presented by The Shelterhouse Season Design Sponsor is ### |
