Now Available to License For Your Theater Production 

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

THE BEST  MUSICAL  ADAPTATION OF FRANK CAPRA'S CLASSIC FILM

 PAMTA AWARD WINNER

(Portland Oregon Musical Theater Awards)

​

Best Original Score , Best Original Song, Outstanding New Musical

​

Premiered in 2012 - Stumptown Stages - Portland, Oregon

Directed By Tony Award Winner - Corey Brunish

 It’s A Wonderful Life musical adaptation of Frank Capra’s classic film is one of the greatest stories of all time and holiday favorite for all ages! 

Clarence the angel  helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed.

The Love story between George and Mary, George's dedication to his family and friends,  the torch from his father that he carries to better his community is all revealed as George takes a deeper look at his life. 

​

Michael Allen Harrison and Alan Berg's award winning scores and songs are influenced by the Broadway traditions of Rodgers and Hart, George and Ira Gershwin, and Cole Porter. They will inspire your cast, your musicians, and delight your audiences. The songs are memorable, fun and powerful.

It's A Wonderful Life is the perfect show to present over the holiday season for Professional Theaters, High Schools and Community Theaters. 

LISTEN TO SONGS

Here are several recorded songs

from the live show or studio demos

List Of Songs

​

​

Overture

​

It's Not Hard Work Working On Christmas Eve

​

No Such Thing As A Good Boy

​

The World I've Never Known

​

The Charleston 

​

I'll Give You The Moon

​

Watching From Heaven

​

Going All The Way

​

It's A Wonderful Life

​

You Gotta Have Faith

​

I Love You Truly

​

You Alone

​

God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman

​

Calling On Angels

​

Pottersville

​

It Was You

​

Hark The Herald / Auld Lang Syne

​

Finale

Show Essentials:

​

Book  - Janet Mouser  

​

Music By - Michael Allen Harrison

​

Lyrics By - Alan Berg 

​

Additional Lyrics By - Michael Allen Harrison

​

"It Was You" - Music & Lyrics By - Julianne  Johnson

​

​

​

​

​

Photo Gallery

From 2014 Production

Character Breakdown for It’s A Wonderful Life Musical:

Note: Family Members and Appropriate Townspeople will be Chorus for Funeral and Wedding, Nightmare Ballet and Finale

​

Bert:

Cop, Friend of George 35-45 easy going must harmonize with Ernie

​

Ernie:

Taxi Driver, Friend of George 35-45 easy going, comic

​

Gower:

Pharmacist, older, drinking problem (Young George works for him at soda fountain/delivery),

breaks down and cries, befriends George later in life and is a loyal supporter 50-70

​

Mrs. Bailey Georges Mom:

Nice 1930’s type Mom, caring, knows her son and family relationships, 45-50

​

Pa Bailey:

( Doubles as Voice from Above) Georges Father 45-55 Good man, proud of sons, works hard, helps his community, dies too early, admired by townspeople ( Can play Voice from Above as well)

​

Mary Hatch:

Georges Girl and then Wife, can play 18-36 sweet but strong,

1940’s type wife, adores George and her children.

​

George Bailey:

Protagonist, Everyman character, can play 20-40 good actor/singer Full of aspirations and adventure wants to leave small town and see the world. Loves Mary but must sacrifice his desires for family.

​

*Harry Bailey:

(Also plays Ed, and Dr. Campbell) George’s younger brother, handsome, MC at dance,

football player, and military hero can play 17-30 Marries Ruth

​

*Ruth:

( Also plays dancer, Mrs. Davis, Customer’s Wife at Martini’s) Harrys Wife.

From wealthy family, college educated can play 17- 22 nice girl

​

Uncle Billy:  

Getting Forgetful, Likable,. Not a good businessman 56, partner in Building and Loan

​

Cousin Tilly:

Character type, works at Building and Loan with George and Uncle Billy,

tends to over react,  loves to take pictures 55

​

Janie Bailey:

10- 11 (also plays Young Mary Hatch)  plays piano or instrument like a recorder and practices

Hark the Herald Angels Sing, over and over irritating her Dad

Zuzu Bailey:

6-7, shortest kid, youngest girl, sweet and precautious, has every time bell rings line and has important scene with George about her  flower, must be  small enough to be held up by her Father

​

Young George:

10-13 (also plays Pete Bailey and Freddie’s Friend at Dance) good young actor.

​

Tommy Bailey:

6-7 young and small enough to pull on Dads coat tails, a few lines

Clarence: 

Sent down to be George’s Guardian Angel (to save him from taking his life). He is an angel in training, a clock maker, keeper of time, and this is his 2nd chance to make good and earn his wings. Not the brightest bulb, but kind hearted and fun-loving. He loves Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer and brings it to earth with him to read. Great character actor with good comic timing, a twinkle in his eye.

​

Potter:

(“Human” Antagonist of play, strong character actor, Scrooge-like, has own self interests in mind,. Owns the town, enjoys the power that affords him. Commanding presence, in wheel chair, 60’s to 70’s

​

*Potter’s Bodyguard “Goon”:

 ( Also plays Mr. Welch ,who hits George in bar, and Tom) strong, pushes Potter’s  wheelchair, ,20-40

​

Violet:

Also plays “Woman” in Bank Scene top of Act II) The town bad girl, pretty,

all about style, sensuous girl, a flirt plays 18-35, good dancer

​

Sam Wainwright:

(Also Sheriff, Townsperson) (College friend, likes Mary, gets rich,( on plastics) a nice nerd , dancer/ singer

​

Marty:

(Also plays Charlie) Mary’s brother, works in luggage store, nice, dancer /singer

​

Freddy:

Mary’s Date, (Also Townsperson in Bank Scenes and Flashbacks), full of self,

immature high school type prankster dancer/singer

​

Mr. Martini:

Italian Immigrant helped by George (also plays*Vi’s Suitor #1 and Randall) 20-30 dancer/singer

​

Vi’s Suitor #2:

(Also plays Mr. Carter, Customer with Wife at Martini’s and Man walking down Street)

20-30 dancer/singer

​

Mrs, Martini:

( Italian Immigrant wife with Baby)  also plays Mrs. Thompson ,  

Voice of Mary’s Mother and Townsperson in Pottersville Dream Sequence