The central message of “It’s a Wonderful Life” has a lot in common with the central mission of the Phamaly Theatre Company.
For many, the 1946 film directed by Frank Capra is a staple of the holiday season, the artistic equivalent of eggnog and tinsel. But the themes behind “It’s a Wonderful Life” go deeper than questions about Santa Claus or the true meaning of Christmas. The movie’s message is about the value of a single human life and what gives the human experience value and meaning.
That was a big part of the appeal for Phamaly’s creative staff when they decided to stage the adaptation of the iconic film for their first holiday show. For more than 30 years, the company composed entirely of performers with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities has tackled similar questions.
“It’s a story about the value of life. We have people whose lives are often questioned,” said Bryce Alexander, a manager with the company. “It’s such an applicable message (for) Phamaly. What it’s really about is the individual impact every single person has on each other in spite of their disabilities.
“It’s about the fact that you can live life and make an impact on others,” added Alexander, who’s co-directing the show.
That message comes in the struggles of the story’s main character, George Bailey. The owner of a small savings and loan in the small town of Bedford Falls, Bailey becomes suicidal on a grim Christmas Eve, after thousands of dollars suddenly disappear from the bank. Before Bailey can give in to hopelessness, angels intercede to show him how deeply his actions have positively impacted family, friends and strangers.
The story takes place at Christmas, and some of the story’s most important characters are angels. But just like the film, the stage adaptation isn’t about religious redemption.
“It’s universal. It happens during Christmas, everyone knows it for its Christmas piece, but that part of it isn’t integral to the plot,” said Phamaly artistic director Steve Wilson, who’s directing the show with Alexander. “For me, it’s taking a story we all know in one medium, moving it to another and deepening it. The show has this beautiful, brilliant way of making all of us step back and look at our own lives.”
A big part of that effect comes in the characters, Wilson said. For this production, the directors wanted to push beyond the iconic film performances of Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey and Donna Reed as his wife, Mary. The stage version offered the chance to explore the deeper dimensions of the roles.
“What we found while looking at the play was the complexity of the characters,” Wilson said. “Because we have our own visceral reaction to the film, sometimes it gets lost. George is a complex guy, and I’m fascinated with the journey of Mary.”
Mary’s journey includes sticking with a relationship that’s more than bumpy. Her partner gives up his dreams to travel, he opts for a low-paying job with integrity over a gig with more money and less morals.
Real-life husband and wife Jeremy Palmer and Lindsay Giraldi-Palmer play George and Mary. Both wanted to bring their own spin to the roles; both avoided the film as a model.
“Jimmy Stewart had a lot of distinct characteristics, just like other screen legends,” Palmer said. “I don’t think anyone would want or expect me to imitate him. I want to avoid that completely. … Never have we said, ‘In the movie, they did it this way.’”
That echoes the larger approach of the production. The Phamaly troupe aren’t looking to reinvent a classic, but rather invest it with a deeper meaning. That’s really no surprise, the company’s take on classic shows like “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and “The Wiz” have all sought a deeper meaning.
That effort is never easy. In this case, the troupe’s interpretation has spurred debate even among actors and crew members. Specifically, arguments have popped up in regards to the presentation of angels.
“What would heaven be like? Would you still have your disability?” Giraldi-Palmer said. “It’s going to be interesting to see how people react to angels with disabilities.”
Phamaly’s production of “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Runs from Dec. 7 to Dec. 22 at the Aurora Fox, 9900 E. Colfax Ave.
Tickets start at $25.
Information: 303-739-1970 or online at phamaly.org.
Reach reporter Adam Goldstein at 720-449-9707 or agoldstein@aurorasentinel.com