It’s a Wonderful Life: Fall ’07

Thursday, November 29 at 7pm
Friday, November 30 at 7pm
Saturday, December 1 at 7pm
Sunday, December 2 at 2pm Friday, December 14 at 7pm
Saturday, December 15 at 7pm

Norwood High School Drama Department presents a stage adaptation of the Frank Capra holiday classic story It’s a Wonderful Life, transporting audiences back to Christmas Eve 1946 and a time in which George Bailey is in a very bad place. Fast-paced and both comic and tragic, Director John Quinn (Norwood High School’s drama teacher) and Assistant Director (and Norwood student) Mike Small have worked together with a cast of 45 to transfer this cinematic story beautifully and accessibly to the stage, bringing the familiar characters and the town of Bedford Falls alive in the footlights. Exposing the myth of failure and warning us of the true and timeless danger — how easily we can lose our sense of self in a materialistic society – It’s a Wonderful Life reminds us, in the words of guardian angel Clarence, that “no man is a failure who has friends.”

Performances held at Norwood’s Savage Center.

The Cast

The Angels

Joseph ……………………………………………. William Veer
Betsy Ross ………………………………………. Katie O’Connor
Clarence Odbody, an angel second class …… Brian Folan

The Children

Young George ……………………………………. Robert McDonough
Young Mary ………………………………………. Jennifer Sobol
Young Violet ……………………………………… Teresa Gassoway
Young Harry ……………………………………… Gregory Gassoway
Young Sam ……………………………………….. KJ Holmes
George’s Friends …………………………………. Kathleen Keefe, Emily Rivard, Cianne Maloney, Brianna Palmateer

The Bailey Family

George Bailey…………………………………….. Ian Cardoni
Harry Bailey, George’s brother ………………… Edward Lynch
Ruth (Daiken) Bailey, Harry’s wife ……………. Molly Herzog, Ashley McGinnes
Mother Bailey …………………………………….. Nichole Adams
Pa Bailey ………………………………………….. Nick Slye
Cousin Tilly ……………………………………….. Bailey Day
Uncle Billy ………………………………………… Chris Boyajian
Cousin Eustace …………………………………… Katie McConnaughy

The Hatch Family

Mary Hatch ……………………………………….. Lauren Folan, Kayla Ring
Marty Hatch, Mary’s big sister………………….. Justine LaVoye
Mrs. Hatch ………………………………………… Molly Herzog, Nichole Adams (12/14)

Citizens of Bedford Falls

Henry F. Potter, wealthiest man in town ……… Francis Sheehan
Gower, a druggist and George’s 1st boss …….. Rachel Rabinovich, Dmitriy Krucov
The Sheriff ………………………………………… Rachel Rabinovich, Dmitriy Krucov
Joan Heppner, friend and luggage salesperson . Brianna Hart
Violet Peterson, a friend ………………………… Meagan McGinnes
Bert, a friend ……………………………………… Josh Mergl
Ernie, a friend …………………………………….. Michael Slowey
Potter’s Goon / School Principal Mrs. Partridge /
Poster Woman / Reineman, Potter’s assistant ….. Jacki Cucinotta
Bank Teller ………………………………………… Amanda Wood
Mrs. Lloyd …………………………………………. Alyse Ristuccia
Sam Wainwright, George’s old school buddy …. KJ Homes
Jane, Sam’s wife …………………………………. Ashley McGinnes
Micki / Board Member/ Miss Andrews …………. Emily Rivard
Mr. Martini, Bar owner and friend ……………… Joe Ouellette
Mrs. Martini ……………………………………….. Sarah Rabinovich
Martini Children …………………………………… Jennifer Sobol, Kathleen Keefe, Emily Rivard
Nikki, the bartender ……………………………… Justine LaVoy
Mrs. Carter, a bank examiner / Mrs. Davis ……. Shannon McDonough
Newspaper Kid ……………………………………. Brianna Palmateer
Mr. Welch / Freddy / Ed …………………………. Michael Small
Slick Man ………………………………………….. Brendan Kenney
Masher …………………………………………….. Jon Fogarty
Dr. Campbell, Family doctor and advisor …….. Kate Jennings
Photographer ……………………………………… Teresa Gassoway
Miranda / Tollkeeper …………………………….. Chelsea Harper

George and Mary’s Family

Pete Bailey, George and Mary’s oldest ………… Heather Woods
Tommy Bailey, their youngest son …………….. Kathleen Keefe
Zuzu Bailey, their youngest daughter …………. Jennifer Sobol
Janie Bailey, their oldest daughter …………….. Cianne Maloney

The Production Staff

Directors …………………………………………… John Quinn, Michael Small
Stage Management / Vocal Coach ……………… Francis Sheehan
Choreography …………………………………….. Molly Herzog
Lighting Design …………………………………… Jeri Sykes
Lighting Crew …………………………………….. Stacie Finlayson, Marisa Farulla, Michaela Wong
Costume Design ………………………………….. Amanda Rachunok
Costume/ Prop Crew …………………………….. Bailey Day, Lauren Folan, Justine LaVoye, Alyse Ristuccia, Michael Slowey, Josh Mergl, William Veer
Hair and Make-up ………………………………… Ashley McGinnes, Justine LaVoye
Scene Change Angels ……………………………. Bailey Day, Kathleen Keefe, Justine LaVoye, Cianne Maloney, Emily Rivard, Heather Woods, Amanda Wood
Set Design and Construction ……………………. Matt Adams, Jon Cardoni, Mike Gallagher, Ed Lynch, Rich Morton, Tony Ristuccia
Sound……………………………………………….. Michael Small, Jon Fogarty
Box Office …………………………………………. Jody Smith and the Backstage Boosters
Publicity ……………………………………………. Iggy Rabinovich, Rachel Rabinovich
Website …………………………………………….. Elizabeth Harris