Most of us are familiar with Frank Capra’s 1946 film It’s A Wonderful Life starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. The tale of George Bailey’s turmoil and enlightenment has been a family favorite for decades. As its holiday show, Beef & Boards presents the timeless story with an adaptation wonderfully staged and directed by Elizabeth Stark.
In a cast filled with B&B notables, Logan Moore stars as George and sets him of his varied course of hopefulness, devoted duty, disaster, disdain and self-awareness with the same polished talents we have noted here for his other fine roles at B&B. Grace Morgan plays George’s wife Mary with warmth and devoted love. Kendra Lynn Lucas and Don Farrell take the heavenly roles of Joseph and Clarence Odbody (Angel 2nd Class), Bill Book is a bumbling Uncle Billy, and Dan Scharbrough’s Mr. Potter takes on a splendidly ornery persona. Veteran actor Mark Goetzinger plays both Peter (Pop) Bailey and Mr. Martini.
(From left) Jax Dawson, Allie Stacy, Fender Brokamp, Logan Moore, Sylvie Templet, and Grace Morgan as the Bailey family in Beef & Boards’ production of It’s a Wonderful Life. (Photo by Julie Curry)
A large supporting cast handles the multiple roles of Bedford Falls’ citizenry. The Bailey children are energetic and on the mark with Jax Dawson, Fender Brokamp, Sylvie Templet and Allie Stacy as Pete, Tommy, Janie and Zuzu, respectively.
The set design by Michael Layton and lighting by Ryan Koharchik are augmented by Travis Grant’s costumes. Of special note is the video programming work by Zach Rosing. The varied digital projections really aid in setting the scene with specifics on the proscenium and on the back wall of the stage. I have noticed this as an added feature in the last few previous shows, but it has grown in its effectiveness with this production.
Bottom line: B&B’s It’s A Wonderful Life is a pleasing holiday entertainment which, I have been alerted, has 95 percent sold out its run! This is unprecedented as far as I know – and all shows that can be added have been added. With that in mind, and further knowledge that B&B’s star-studded upcoming show Clue is selling very well, I will advise anyone who enjoys the Beef’s array of productions to plan ahead. Information about 2023’s 50th Anniversary Season can be found online at beefandboards.com, or you may call the B&B box office at (317) 872-9664.
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