Life Affirmation

It’s a Wonderful Life is “one of the classic Christmas stories,” notes Rod A. Lansberry, artistic producer at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities. That’s why this year, the Arvada Center is wholeheartedly embracing the holiday spirit and producing a stage version of the tale of George Bailey and his enterprising angel, Clarence.

“We’ve always felt like the market had plenty of other Christmas options, and we’ve always tried to offer a departure from that,” adds Arvada Center media contact Jerry Cunningham. “But Christmas shows are what people want to see. They’re with their families, they want a good experience, our prices are economical, and it’s a great holiday tradition that’s now brought to life on stage. Why not?”

If you already know the film by heart, then you might find the stage version a pleasant alternative: “It really is pretty close to the movie,” Lansberry says. “The characters are all there, and the basic story. Obviously, there are changes in it, just because the original didn’t have music and this version does. But you don’t lose all those favorite elements.

“I have to admit, for the first day of rehearsal, we had Christmas cookies and decorations to kick it off,” he continues. “We’re looking forward to this one.”

A Wonderful Life opens tonight at 7:30 p.m. and runs through December 28; tickets are $45. The Arvada Center is at 6901 Wadsworth Boulevard in Arvada. Call 720-898-7200 or visit www.arvadacenter.org.
Nov. 21-23, 7:30 p.m.; Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 7:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, 1 & 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 & 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m.; Mon., Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m.; Tue., Dec. 23, 1:30 & 7:30 p.m.; Fri., Dec. 26, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 27, 2 & 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 28, 2 & 7:30 p.m. Starts: Nov. 21. Continues through Dec. 28, 2008