This holiday season, many families will at some point sit down and engage in what has become the yearly tradition of watching the 1946 film classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
However, this year, local families will have the chance to see dejected businessman George Bailey’s iconic plea of “I wanna live again” live and in color when Cherokee High School debuts its production of “It’s a Wonderful Life” on Nov. 28 at the Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center.
Audience members will watch as an enthusiastic and well-rehearsed Cherokee cast enacts the story of a man wishing for a world in which he was never born, and then through the power of his guardian angel, seeing that world and just how much a difference his life truly did make to his family, friends and fellow townspeople.
During a rehearsal a week prior to the show’s debut, director and Cherokee High School teacher Joe Fisicaro Jr. said the production was fantastic, and described his “It’s a Wonderful Life” cast of 85 students as simply “wonderful.”
“I find myself to be very lucky to have a great group up and down, all 85 of them,” Fisicaro said. “This cast makes life wonderful. Every day that I’m here is a blessing because they are absolutely wonderful to work with.”
Fisicaro’s students also share his enthusiasm, including senior Michael Lazarus, who has the lead role of George Bailey.
Lazarus describes “It’s a Wonderful Life” as a massive and established show, and with it he saw the opportunity to bring something to the community.
“Cherokee theater has a legacy for being some of the best high school productions in the area, and we’ve been working very hard and we believe we are upholding that legacy,” Lazarus said. “We want to share that with anyone who loves theater and loves to come see young people trying their best to entertain the community.”
However, one difference between the 1946 film and Cherokee’s show is the role of George’s well-known guardian angel, changed from Clarence to Clara, and played by senior Brooke Barber.
Aside from the change in gender, Barber said the role is basically the same, and she still plans to bring the “cheerful and effervescent” nature of Clarence.
She describes “It’s a Wonderful Life,” as special and something every family likes to watch together at Christmas time while growing up.
“It shows people to just take a look at their lives and just shows that their lives are special and it really is a wonderful life,” Barber said.
It’s the attitude and drive from student performers such as Barber that made Fisicaro say he couldn’t be prouder of them as a director.
“If I’m here and have the same kids for the next 20 years, I could hang my hat and say I had a very successful career at Cherokee High School,” he said.
Cherokee High School’s production of “It’s a Wonderful Life” debuts on Nov. 28, and will also run on Nov. 29, Dec. 5 and Dec. 6 at the Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center, located at 130 Tomlinson Mill Road.
All shows start at 7:30 p.m., and tickets will cost $8 for students and seniors and $12 for adults.
Tickets are available at the door on the night of the performance, by phone at (856) 983–3366, or online at www.sjtheater.com.
