The Cast Photo by Darren Lee Photography

Everyone has seen the original with Jimmy Stewart. George Bailey (Eddie Egan), after his father's death, runs the Bedford Falls Building and Loan in defiance of local real estate mogul and banker Mr. Potter (Tom Hensen), the guy you love to hate, whose bass grumblings menace even when he's just saying hello. George's only ally against Potter is his guardian angel, Clarence (Jason Williams), who is more concerned that he has not yet earned his wings.

Clarence, of course, lingers in Bedford Falls so he can talk George out of drowning himself when trouble strikes the bank, and thereby earn those wings. This is after Uncle Billy (Donavan Armbruster), a bit of a drinker, loses $8000 of the business's money on Christmas Eve, just as a bank examiner arrives to check the books.

Many story threads and characters intervene between George's assumption of the building and loan mantle and Clarence's promotion to Angel First Class. And what a set of wings he earns (costumes by Karen Brown-Larimore)! Clarence's show-stopping "An Angel Gets His Wings" is a classic 11-o'clock number.

Clarence shows George how the town would have turned out if he had not been born: as the squalid, hopeless Pottersville, dominated by Mr. Potter and drowning in a depression and world war. How Violet (Jessica Minter), a winsome lass, became the town slut. How George's brother Harry (Andrew Linden) wouldn't have become a war hero. How Martini's would have become the dive bar Sam's. And so on. All policed by two genial cops, Ernie and Bert (played by the refreshing female duo Tess Lenzen and Jen Farley).

George and Mary Bailey (Sarah Ellis) are exceptional soloists, but everyone sings to a fine standard. The chorus numbers show excellent harmony. In particular, "E Mangia," a celebration at Martini's Restaurant, which George helped finance, stands out (as does Martini himself, played by Robert A. Goderich). The orchestra, led by Evan Lange, shines; it is rare indeed to find such smooth harmony in a musical or vocal ensemble.

The set consists of three blue arches sprinkled with giant snowflakes. I am informed that these represent a snow globe, a framing device for dramatic fantasy within. I'm not sure the conceit works for me, but it is pretty nonetheless. The rest of the set consists of miniature buildings that roll around the stage among the actors as needed for the story, an ingenious and practical idea. Brown-Larimore's costumes represent ordinary living wear but show a pleasing and comfortable palette.

A few scenes and numbers could be cut from Act I without harm. A shorter first act would make the running time (two and a half hours plus intermission for this performance) a bit less daunting.

Capital City Theatre's It's a Wonderful Life: A New Musical runs through December 1, 2024, at Madison College, Mitby Theater, 3550 Anderson St, Madison WI. For tickets and information, please visit capitalcitytheatre.org.

Other performers: Michael Joseph Mitchell, Joseph Green, Edyn Goede, Chase Schutte, Leena Rathgeber, Lisa Spierer, Izabel Nettey, Mike Brady, Griffin Wilkins, Paul Higginbotham, and Ashton Florence. Orchestra: Joy Bauman, Erin McConnell, Leyla Sanyer, Tina Thompson, Beth Harms, Brett Petrykowski, Amy Harr, Mike Steen, Greg Smith, Dion Mills, Luke Busch, Andrew White, Zachary Masa-Myers, Daniel Cross, Jamie Kember, James McKenzie.