A Wonderful Life
Book and Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick | Music by Joe Raposo | Adapted from the Frank Capra film "It's A Wonderful Life"
Frank Capra's film classic has been brought to vibrant theatrical life through the remarkable collaboration of Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winner Sheldon Harnick and Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo. The story of George Bailey and his wonderful life in Bedford Falls remains a timeless fable of dreams, disillusionment and the power of love. An uplifting chronicle of the extraordinary lives of ordinary folk, A WONDERFUL LIFE exhilarates the mind and heart as it celebrates the innate goodness in us all.
Cast Size: Medium (5-21) • Large (14+). Vocal Demands: Easy • Moderate. Dance Requirements: Some Dancing Required • Minimal. Good For: Elementary School • High School • College/University • Amateur/Community • Professional Theatre • Religious Organization.
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About The Show
Production Info
To request the rights to make merchandise for this show email brian.sherman@rnh.com.
Fan Info:
With fewer than 100 shopping days until Christmas, producers are selecting seasonal gifts for their audiences. read more
I had a, well, magical experience on Saturday night. Andy Einhorn, the indefatigable conductor and musical director of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA, invited me to sit in the orchestra pit of the Broadway Theatre during the performance. Because the pit is big enough, there is a space where, once the orchestra members are settled in their seats, a chair can be placed safely, between the bows of the violins and the constant instrument shifting of the woodwind section. Read more →
With the 9 Tony Award nominations for Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA announced this morning, once again Rodgers and Hammerstein stand tall and proud among the best of Broadway.
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Read more →
As I am now based in London, where Rodgers & Hammerstein is launching our own European theatrical licensing division – R&H Theatricals Europe – I had the great pleasure of hopping down to Madrid for 24 hours in late December, to see SONRISAS…, meet the cast and equally hardworking crew, and revel in a production of the timeless musical that seems to “bloom and grow forever” – and everywhere.
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February 08, 1937
December 12, 2005
"This looks like an all-American winner, one that should prove to be a staple of the American theatre for a long time to come." — Washington Review
"It strikes the same chord of essential humanity that has made the film an American classic." — Chicago Tribune
"Warm and wholesome entertainment for family audiences." — TalkinBroadway.com
Song #
Song Name
Character Name
Play
Other Versions
3
One Of The Lucky Ones/Can You Find Me A House?
Tom and George
7
Can You Find Me A House? (Reprise)
George, Tom and the Ensemble
9
Ruth/On To Pittsburg
Harry and George
10
Good Night
George and Mary
13
A Wonderful Life (Reprise)
Mary and George
14
George's Prayer (Reprise)
George
15
Can You Find Me A House? (Reprise)
The Ensemble
16
A Home Of Your Own (Not in Current Edition)
Dominick, Paul, Anthony, Mr. Martini and the Ensemble
22
George's Prayer (Reprise)
George
23
Unborn Sequence
George, Clarence, Uncle Billy, Mr. Martin, Ernie, Violet, Matt, Mary, Milly and the Ensemble
23
[Unborn Sequence Continued]
24
A Wonderful Life (Reprise)
George
25
Welcome A Hero (Reprise)
Ensemble
26
Finale: Christman Gifts
Zuzu, Beth, Tommy and the Company
Vocal Range of Characters:
Playbill VIP:
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STANDARD
- A WONDERFUL LIFE - Orchestra Package (15 Bks & Prog. Disks)
- 1 – Full Score Act I
- 1 – Full Score Act II
- 1 – KEYBOARD 1 (Synthesizer and Optional Piano)
- 1 – KEYBOARD 2 (Synthesizer)
- 1 – REED 1 (Flute, Clarinet, Soprano Sax, Alto Sax)
- 1 – REED 2 (Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet, Tenor Sax)
- 1 – REED 3 (Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Baritone Sax)
- 1 – HORN
- 1 – TRUMPET 1 (Doubles Flugelhorn)
- 1 – TRUMPET 2 (Doubles Flugelhorn)
- 1 – TROMBONE
- 1 – PERCUSSION (see list below)
- 1 – CELLO
- 1 – ACOUSTIC BASS
- 1 – Programming Disks
- 1 – VIOLA
- A WONDERFUL LIFE - Perusal Package (1 Libretti-Vocal Book)
- 1 – Libretto
- 1 – Piano Vocal Scores
- A WONDERFUL LIFE - Perusal Package
- 1 – Libretto
- 1 – Piano Vocal Scores
- Rehearsal Set (22 Books, Prod. Notes)
- 1 – Production Notes
- 1 – Logo CD
- 20 – Libretto-Vocal Book
- 2 – Piano Conductor Score
- 0 – Digital Logo
ADDITIONAL
- A WONDERFUL LIFE - PRE-PRODUCTION PACKAGE
- 1 – Piano Vocal Scores
- 1 – Libretto-Vocal Book
3 Women
5 Men
FEATURED
3 Women
6 Men
2 Girls
1 Boy
ENSEMBLE
Singing-dancing ensemble of Townspeople, High-School Students, Charleston Dancers, etc. with numerous small roles and much doubling possible.
CHARACTERS
Matthew - an executive angel
Clarence - George Bailey's guardian angel
George Bailey
Tom Bailey - George's father
Milly Bailey - George's mother
Uncle Billy - Tom's brother
Harry Bailey - George's younger brother
Ruth Reynolds - Harry's wife
Mary Hatch - George's sweetheart, later his wife
Mrs. Hatch - Mary's mother
Beth Bailey - age 10
Tommy Bailey - age 9
Zuzu Bailey - age 7
Henry Potter - Bedford Falls' wealthiest (and nastiest) citizen
Harriet - Potter's assistant
Accountant - Potter's accountant
Bert - a policeman
Ernie - a cab driver
Mr. Martini - owner of Martini's Restaurant
Mrs. Martini - Mr. Martini's wife
Violet Bick - Mary Hatch's closest friend
Sam Wainwright - George's friend and rival
Karen Zimmer - the M.C. at Harry's graduation dance
Mr. Carter - the bank examiner
Bob Hepner - owner of a luggage shop
Bank Teller
Minister
Detective
Hepner
Walt
Stuart
Lillian
Townspeople, High-School Students, Charleston Dancers, etc.
SPECIFIC LOCATIONS
A Secluded Spot Near Henry Potter's Home
Heaven
Hepner's Luggage Shop
Main Street
The Bailey Home: Dining Room
The Parlor
Gymnasium
Bedford Falls High School
A Street near The Granville House
The Bailey Building and Loan Association
A Street Near Mary Hatch's Home
Mary Hatch's Home: The Parlor
A Church
The Granville House: The Parlor
George & Mary's Bedroom
Zuzu's Bedroom
Bailey Park: The Martini's New House
Henry Potter's Office
Streets of Bedford Falls
Henry Potter's Bank
Henry Potter's Parlor
A Railroad Crossing
Martini's Restaurant
Materials Notes
(May be played by one player): Trap Set (Bass Drum, Snare Drum, High Hat, Toms); Ride, Large and Small Crash and Finger Cymbals; 2 Timpani, Chimes, Bells, Wind Chimes, Mark and Bell Tree, Triangle, Wood Block, Cowbell, Tambourine, Gong, Police Whistle, [Sticks, Mallets and Brushes]
Featured News
Happy Holidays!
With fewer than 100 shopping days until Christmas, producers are selecting seasonal gifts for their audiences.
Read MoreMedia Rights
Promotional
1. The Promotional Video shall be recorded and shown for the sole purposes of advertising your licensed production of the Play. For such a video, R&H allows theatres to film up to 10 minutes of total footage taken at either a performance or rehearsal (i.e.: 10 minutes of scripted moments.)
2. The Promotional Video may not include more than (i) 1 minute from any song or (ii) 3 minutes, in the aggregate, of footage of copyrighted material from the Play.
3. The Promotional Video may not include any sponsorship or underwriting without the prior consent of all R&H.
4. The Promotional Video must be submitted to R&H by sending the source video and video link to editor@rnh.com.
5. The Promotional Video must include the following: "Rights courtesy of Rodgers & Hammerstein, www.rnh.com"
6. Upon approval by R&H of the Promotional Video, you agree not to make any alterations in the approved copyrighted material used therein and you agree to obtain the prior written approval of R&H for any other use of the Promotional Video not specifically granted herein.
7. Upon termination of the Term, you shall cease to have any rights to use the Promotional Video including, without limitation, in connection with a future production of the Play, and shall immediately remove its content from any and all websites on the Internet.
8. You may not use a commercially available recording.
9. Any additional promotional rights must be approved by R&H by contactingTheatre@rnh.com.
