Geordie Theatre's It's a Wonderful Life

“What do you want, Mary? You want the moon? Just say the word and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down.”

On Christmas Eve, in the little town of Bedford Falls, George Bailey finds himself on the brink of financial ruin and contemplates taking his own life. Above the sleepy town, Clarence Oddbody, an eternally bumbling angel has set his heart on finally earning his wings. In a single night, the two will visit a world without George Bailey to discover the impact of a truly wonderful life. A timeless tale for the whole family that reminds us that every life is valuable and that every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings!

This beloved holiday classic comes to captivating life with the help of a dynamic large ensemble and live Foley sound under the imaginative direction of Geordie’s own Artistic Director Mike Payette. Join some of Montreal's most celebrated business, legal and media leaders performing on stage in a beautiful retelling of this timeless gem - all in support of one of Canada's leading companies for Theatre for Young Audiences – on December 9th and 10th, 2016.

“For decades, families have come to make the Bailey story a part of their holiday tradition. What I love about this classic is not only the immediate reminder of the arrival of the festive season, but what it represents. It is a story of persevering through life’s unseen obstacles and the hardships a family has to go through to overcome insurmountable odds. It is a story with heart at its core, reflecting the human spirit in all its complicated, resilient, and beautiful forms. I’m thrilled to work with such wonderful community leaders in sharing this timeless piece.”
-Mike Payette

Returning this year to be a part of this holiday motley crew are “The Three Judges”: Justices Jean-François Buffoni, Pepita Capriolo and Brian Riordan (who played Scrooge in last year’s gala A Christmas Carol) playing the antagonist Mr. Potter. Geordie Holiday Gala alumni Tracey McKee (CJAD’s Morning Show and Geordie board member) and English Montreal School Board’s Arts Education Advocate & Consultant Nicolas Doyon also return to show their support. CBC’s Sean Henry joins us for the first time, as does celebrated endocrinologist David Morris, and twenty other prominent local businessmen and woman, including Geordie Board past and present presidents Robert Gervais (President, ZEROFAIL Solutions) and John Raza (President, Campbell & Cameron Volkswagen).

"Dear George, remember, no man is a failure who has friends.”

Sabrina Miller, whose recent credits include Geordie’s The Halloween Tree, returns to dream up the festive set, costume and prop design. META-nominated lighting designer Audrey-Anne Bouchard casts her first light on a Geordie stage and META award-winner Rob Denton (Tableau D’Hôte Theatre’s Another Home Invasion), accompanied by violinist (Cirque du Soleil, Grands Ballets) and music director Kenny Wong, bring the show’s unique sound design to life by way of live music and Foley sounds!

Geordie’s Artistic Associate, Jessica Abdallah, assists Mike Payette, and all are supported by the exceptional work of stage manager Isabel Quintero Faia (Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God), assistant stage manager Jo Joffre and Place des Arts’ Antoine Protat as production manager and technical director.

“Every time you hear a bell ring, it means an angel just got his—or her—wings.”

It's a wonderful life
Written for the stage by Philip Grecian
Based on the film by Frank Capra
Directed by Mike Payette

Starring:
Ali T. Argun, Juliette Arsenault, Trevor Botkin, Scott Broady, Owen Bruemmer, Jean-François Buffoni, Pepita Capriolo, Morgan Doke, Nicolas Doyon, Brian Edgar, Robert Gervais, Sean Henry, Angèle Knight, Maika Lafrance, Curtis Legault, Patricia Manessy, Sterling Mawhinney, Peter McCusker, Tracey McKee, Madelaine McTavish, Lindsay Milner, David Morris, Lesley Pahl, Aidan Raza, Clive Raza, John Raza, Brian Riordan and Aline Zafirian Sabrina Miller, Set, Costume & Props Design Audrey-Anne Bouchard, Lighting Design | Rob Denton, Composer
Isabel Quintero Faia, Stage Manager | Antoine Protat, Production Manager/Technical Director
Jo Joffre, Assistant Stage Manager | Rob Denton and Kenny Wong, Foley Artists/Musicians

Performances: December 9th at 7:30pm and December 10th at 2pm and 7:30pm. All tickets include après-show cocktail & canapés reception, silent auction and a charitable tax receipt.

Venue: D.B. Clarke Theatre, Concordia University Hall Building | 1455 de Maisonneuve W, Montreal

Tickets (On Sale Now): $25 children, $100 adults, $225 Family 3-4 Pack, $250 Family 5-6 Pack
Tax receipt issued for adult and Family Pack tickets only.

Age Recommendation: Children ages 5 and up & adults of all ages | 120 minutes (including intermission)

Box Office and Information: (514) 845-9810 or geordie.ca/fundraiser

About Geordie Theatre Productions
Geordie Productions is Montreal’s leading English-language professional Theatre for Young Audiences, entertaining and engaging the imaginations of children and their families since 1980! Geordie Productions celebrates the art of theatre and its impact by working with emerging and established artists from various disciplines and cultural backgrounds to create theatre that is provocative, relevant and enchanting; inspiring dialogue between communities, children and parents as well as teachers and students of all ages.