For those not riding off in a one-horse open sleigh, it’s easy to get into the holiday sprit right here at home. If you’re looking for an easy way to take in the festivities, just bust out the reindeer, hit PCH and hop on over to the Malibu Playhouse.
There, you’ll find a fresh twist on the Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Kids from nine to 92 probably know the traditional tale of George Bailey’s struggle to grasp why life is worth living with, of course, a very merry, very happy ending. But, this time, the uplifting crowd pleaser finds a fresh voice in an enchanting one-person retelling of local legend Frank Capra’s story. As described by the cast; “This is the classic exploration of how every decision you make, every person you meet, every word you say all have an ever-widening impact on many, many people in the world. Penned by Helen Pafumi and Jason Lott, ‘Wonderful Life’ reinterprets the well-known screenplay and reintroduces audiences to the residents of Bedford Falls, New York on a fateful Christmas Eve in 1945. Audiences, young and old, well-versed in the movie and not, find plenty to love in ‘Wonderful Life,’ a play that has been called ‘a real stage gem shining brightly with the true meaning of Christmas spirit.’”
Amanda Gunther of DC Metro Theatre Arts continues, “Lott [is] nothing short of brilliant when he presents this one man telling of the story we know all too well.”
Malibu Playhouse Producing Director Diane Namm couldn’t be more excited about the project, which is the perfect introduction to the season as a whole.
“Everything we’re doing: Jeremy’s shows, our celebrity one night benefits and the return in January of Dan Lauria as guest director for two, celebrity-staged reading presentations the second and third weekends of January 2016 promise to be meaty, direct and sure to intrigue,” she shared.
In the meantime, Diana says her Christmas classic is a must see.
“‘Wonderful Life’ embodies the true holiday spirit. If we can teach our children one important thing about the meaning of Christmas, it should be how the life of one person can make a difference and be a positive force for change in the world.”
MILESTONES
Speaking of Malibu Playhouse, that brings us to very special occasions. The playhouse’s local legend Dick Van Dyke has just celebrated his 90th birthday. Although I am a few years younger, we not only share the same birthday, but the same gym. I can assure you, dear reader, he is as spry as ever.
It’s also the centennial of my very special friend — Frank, as in Frank Sinatra. I was much too young to mingle with grown ups, but “uncle” Frank, Sammy, Dino, Joey and the rest would always turn up at our place for lox, bagels and cream cheese, along with high ball cocktails, booze and broads with beehive hairdos. My dad made suits for the Rat Pack as they were known, as well as for Elvis and a new English sensation known as The Beatles. Yup, my dad made those velvet-collared suits for the lads from Liverpool when the lads from Liverpool wore suits.
As the year closes and we look ahead, there is much reflect on and look forward to. Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!