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Gallery 7 Theatre in Abbotsford presents This Wonderful Life

Production is a take on the holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life
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Michael Holman plays all the roles in Gallery 7 Theatre’s production of This Wonderful Life. (Dianna Lewis Photograph)

Gallery 7 Theatre in Abbotsford presents its production of Steve Murray’s This Wonderful Life starting on Dec. 10.

The production at the Abbotsford Arts Centre (2329 Crescent Way) is the theatre’s take on the holiday classic It’s A Wonderful Life.

“This is our first-ever, full-staged Christmas production in our 31-year history,” says Ken Hildebrandt, executive artistic director.

“Fans of the film will revel in the play’s ability to capture all the key moments from the movie, but you don’t have to necessarily know the film to really enjoy this unique stage adaptation.”

The show features one actor – Michael Holman – who re-enacts the film and embodies all the major characters, including George Bailey, Clarence and Mr. Potter.

Holman has appeared on the Gallery 7 Theatre stage as James Keller in The Miracle Worker and as Potipher in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

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Fans of the film will revel in the play’s ability to capture all the key moments from the movie, Hildebrandt said.

“But you don’t have to necessarily know the film to really enjoy this unique stage adaptation,” he said.

“It’s a Wonderful Life is a movie that transcends time. I hope you leave the performance knowing that even one life can touch so many others, and no one is a failure who has friends.”

Directing Holman is Kate Muchmore Woo, a Trinity Western University theatre professor. She has directed a number of Gallery 7 productions, including Enchanted April, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Mousetrap.

“Goerge Bailey’s life did not go the way he expected it to,” Woo said.

“Yet, his story is not defined by uncertainty and powerlessness. Instead, his story is one of sacrifice, friendship, and overwhelming community. I hope this show will lift people’s spirits and give people hope as we journey in this wonderful life together.”

Supporting Woo in set, projection, and sound designer Andrew Potts, costume designer Dani DeJong, props designer Courtney Smith, lighting designer Hildebrandt, and sound and makeup designer Charlene Crawford. The stage manager is Des Hale and the production photographer is Dianna Lewis.

This Wonderful Life runs Dec. 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on Dec. 11 and 18.

Tickets are available at gallery7theatre.com (or call 604-504-5940) for both in-person and live-streamed performances. They range from $12 for children to $30 for adults.

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