St. Pete’s American Stage kicks off month-long ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ run this weekend

American Stage first presented this one-person version—an adaptation by Producing Artistic Director Helen R. Murray and Jason Lott—two years ago, with Matthew McGee playing all the roles in pop-up performances at local venues.

The production returns this year with a few major differences: It’ll be staged at the theater’s home base, and Murray herself will play George and company during opening weekend. Gavin Hawk follows in the final two weekends.

“The idea was floated by staff,” Murray told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. She spent 15 years as a professional actor before moving into theater leadership, and wasn’t sure she wanted to be on stage again. But she takes comfort in the fact that she’ll be performing (as McGee did) with script in hand.

She loves playing all the characters, she says, including “flawed hero” George. But two in particular stand out. “I do love Uncle Billy… and I weirdly love Ernie the cab driver,” she added.

Why has “Wonderful Life” endeared itself to audiences for so long? Murray thinks it’s because it’s a “redemption story.” She premiered her adaptation in Virginia in 2011, not long after the Great Recession. Now, amidst hurricane recovery and housing shortages, the final moments when the community comes together to help one of their own should resonate even more.

Tickets to see American Stage’s “It’s A Wonderful Life” on select nights in St. Petersburg from Dec. 5-22 are still available for $38.

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This article appears in Nov 28 – Dec 4, 2024.