It’s a Wonderful (One Man Show) Life

It’s a Wonderful (One Man Show) Life! returns for the holiday season!  Award winning director/playwright, Sharon Fogarty, directs actor/impressionist Jason Grossman in this live, solo adaptation of Frank Capra’s classic film, It’s a Wonderful Life.  Grossman performs one-man versions of each Bedford Falls’ event – morphing from Annie to Zuzu – to create a total of 33 beloved characters.  A must for IAWL fanatics, this intimate portrayal of George Bailey’s compromised dreams, financial ruin, suicidal turning-point and triumphant realization of the true value of his life are discovered brilliantly in this homage to Capra’s vision.

Recommended for all ages – and excellent holiday fare! – It’s a Wonderful (One Man Show) Life! is a lively interpretation of the tale based on Philip Van Doren Stern’s The Greatest Gift, an original short story (first written to friends on a Christmas card).  Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett and Frank Capra wrote the screenplay, with additional scenes by Jo Swerling.  (Uncredited for their input on the script were Dorothy Parker, Dalton Trumbo, and Clifford Odets).

It’s a Wonderful (One Man Show) Life! premiered in 2000 at New York City’s St. Mark’s Theatre and was acclaimed by IAWL aficionados as well as those unfamiliar with the film.  In 2001, producers Grossman and Fogarty brought the work to Seattle’s Freehold Theatre where it was blessed by the presence of actress Karolyn Grimes who stars as Zuzu the original film.  Ms. Grimes endorsed the adaptation as “very funny and highly imaginative!” and presented Grossman with an autographed silver bell engraved “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings,” her unforgettable line from the film.  In 2002, the production commanded a sold-out, critically acclaimed performance at the Langham Court Theatre in Victoria, BC.

“Grossman succeeds in one of the greatest challenges in a one-man show–creating dramatic tension and energy with yourself…  He is undoubtedly one of the hardest-working actors in New York.”  -OFFOFFONLINE”It’s no mean feat to shift from angel to suicidal sad-sack to wide-eyed child as energetically and convincingly as Grossman does.”  THE GOTHAMIST”RECOMMENDED – Under Sharon Fogarty’s direction, Jason Grossman’s lively and inventive solo performance…  He mines plenty of human comedy from the timeless tale.”  TIME OUT NEW YORK”Check out this solo version of Frank Capra’s holiday classic.”  VILLAGE VOICE”… His performance is outstanding.”  ITSRANDOM.COM”… Perfect warm up to the Christmas season.”  CITYSEARCH.COM “Grossman is enormously skillful and as earnest as the film.” NYTHEATRE.COM”PICK!  Frank Capra’s classic becomes a solo spectacle.”  DIGITAL CITY.COM”Charming show… and like the movie, could see it again and again.  This solo performance is one of the season’s most delightful.”  ARTSAVANT.COM”The characters were well executed and the pacing and timing were terrific…  This show does an excellent job doing precisely what it is supposed to do — it lifts your spirits…  Here is a show that Grossman and Fogarty can put on every year for many, many years to come.”  OFFOFFOFF.COM”Come see a new vision of an old holiday favorite.”  DOWNTOWN EXPRESS.