A yuletide story of despair, and subsequent resurrection, is headed for the stage of Valparaiso’s Chicago Street Theatre.
Touted as a “faithful” adaptation of the namesake 1946 film, “It’s a Wonderful Life” runs Nov. 24-Dec. 16.
The cast of more than 40 is one of the largest ever assembled on Chicago Street Theatre’s stage, according to promotional material from the venue.
The troupe can draw inspiration from the cinematic storytelling in the timeless fantasy-drama that stars James Stewart as George Bailey and Donna Reed as Bailey’s wife, Mary.
Amber Shambo is entrusted with the high-profile role of Mary, who is Bailey’s emotional anchor.
“She’s been one of my favorite characters since I was a child, so it’s a really great opportunity for me,” said Shambo, a Valparaiso resident. “We get to see Mary evolve from a young woman to a strong, mature woman. She’s able to assemble and coalesce support for her husband and for her family and community, and really pull things together.
“But what I love about Mary even more than the strength that she has, is the fact that she does all of it without fanfare. She kind of just steps to the background, and she’s content in knowing that she has helped. She has experienced despair at a profound level every bit as much as George, but she really stood strong in her role of guiding and supporting. And she found her own redemption in the love of family and friends, and with the support of the community.”
Shambo faces the challenge of handling the role that Reed put her stamp on in the 1946 movie.
“She portrays Mary just so perfectly,” Shambo said. “She’s so feminine and so graceful.”
To prepare for her role, Shambo said she has undertaken repeated viewings of “It’s a Wonderful Life” in order to study Reed’s performance and “really capture all her mannerisms and the very quiet strength that she has.”
In his approach to bringing George Bailey to life on the Valparaiso stage, Jason Frederick uses James Stewart’s heartfelt portrayal as guideposts.
“I love the character so much.” Frederick said. “I want the emotion, the heart that he has — I want that to come across. I try to stick really close to the original version.
“This is such an iconic movie, iconic role. I have a hard time even having any desire to sway from the original Jimmy Stewart version. I just feel like you can’t really touch it because it’s almost like a legendary movie. It’s my absolute favorite movie of all time.”
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Directed by Dona Henry and Kelly Hite, “It’s a Wonderful Life” is coming to Valparaiso as “a powerful meditation” on what it is to have a meaningful life, while also conveying the lesson that “no man is a failure that has friends,” according to Chicago Street Theatre’s website.
Frederick said there are basically two types of people who make up the audience for the production.
“They’ve either never seen the movie and they don’t really know a whole lot about it, or they’ve seen it a hundred times — for those people, I think they want to see kind of a re-creation of the movie,” the Valparaiso actor deduced.
Frederick grew up in Plumville, Pa., which is just outside of the Pennsylvania borough of Indiana, the birthplace of James Stewart.
Frederick recalled that, as a “little kid,” he saw the Academy Award winner at a hometown celebration for Stewart’s 75th birthday in 1983.
Living near Indiana, Pa., and experiencing its pride in their native son, has bonded Frederick with the memorable character of George Bailey.
“I feel such a close connection to him.” Frederick noted.
As it turns out, Stewart’s famous Christmas film has a connection to the city which Chicago Street Theatre calls home. Valparaiso native Beulah Bondi portrayed the mother of Stewart’s character.
In the Valparaiso production, there are family ties that are a source of joy for the actress playing Mary.
Shambo said her 5-year-old daughter, Eliza, is playing Zuzu.
Eliza is scheduled to play the part the first two days of the engagement.
“I’m just completely over the moon about that,” Shambo beamed.
Showtimes are at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, except Nov. 26; and 7 p.m. Dec. 7.
Bob Kostanczuk is a freelance reporter with the Post-Tribune.
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
Where: Chicago Street Theatre, 154 W. Chicago St., Valparaiso
When: Nov. 24-Dec. 16
Tickets: $17-$30
Information: 219-464-1636, ext. 1; http://www.ChicagoStreet.org