Maurer Productions OnStage presents this family favorite at Kelsey Theatre.
By: Stuart Duncan
It turns out that there is more than one musical making the rounds that is based on the old Frank Capra black-and-white film It’s a Wonderful Life. There is the version settled in at Paper Mill Playhouse up in Millburn, titled simply A Wonderful Life. And then there is a far more faithful version of the familiar tale ready for a three-week run at Kelsey Theatre, on the campus of Mercer County Community College in West Windsor: It’s a Wonderful Life.
The first one has book and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick (and a score by Joe Raposa). The latter has book and lyrics by James W. Rodgers and a score by John Higgins. It is being produced by Maurer Productions OnStage, a family-oriented outfit that is celebrating its sixth year. It includes John Maurer, who usually directs, his brother Dan, who takes care of the technical stuff, and mother Diana, who produces. It also has a growing company of very talented actors and technicians who have been staging terrific shows, mostly at Kelsey.
They have a lot to work on here: Director John Maurer says in a program note, "Call me sentimental, even a little naive, but I like to believe there is a bit of George Bailey in all of us. Let’s face it, we all touch everyone else’s lives in small but sometimes important ways. Tonight, if we’ve done our jobs, perhaps we’ll touch you as well."
A company of 30 does just that. The first act sets all the characters in place, exposition in every scene, mostly done by music not particularly memorable tunes, but darn well done. All of it prepares us for the sentiment of Act 2 as Angel (Second Class) Clarence works his magic on us. The cast is delicious: Marty Berrien, who usually plays roles that demand broad comedy (such as Captain Hook in Peter Pan, Vince Fontaine in Grease, Big Jule in Guys and Dolls or Fagin in Oliver!), here finds the charm and passion that made the role so perfect for Jimmy Stewart. (It was his first role after five years in the Air Force in World War II.) Berrien shows a style and warmth far beyond anything he has previously done.
He has plenty of help: Andy Mahaney is a wonderful Clarence, without the coyness sometimes associated with the part. Steve Decker is a sensational Mr. Potter, nasty right down to his paralyzed legs. Ray Murphy has a great time as Uncle Billy, and Toni Campbell has a strong singing voice as Mother Bailey. Incidentally, all of the above are making debuts with Maurer Productions.
Vicky Czarnik was seen last in Lucky Stiff and here is a lovely Mary Hatch. Ileana Hernandez shows all the makings of a coming star as Violet. By the final scene at the Sunday matinee one could hear the sniffles all over the packed theater. A warmed heart sometimes brings on a stuffy nose.
It’s a Wonderful Life continues at Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community
College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, through Dec. 10. Performances: Sat.
2, 8 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m. Tickets cost $16, $12 seniors, $10 students. For information,
call (609) 584-9444. On the Web: www.kelseyatmccc.org

