Candlewick is set to bring a fresh take on the beloved holiday classic It's a Wonderful Life, and the production promises to evoke the same heartwarming emotions that have made the film a holiday staple since its release in 1946. The cast includes Quentin Stoesz, who plays the iconic role of George Bailey, and Hannah Franz, who takes on the role of Aunt Millie (formerly Uncle Billy in the original), along with assisting with direction and stage management.
A story that spans generations
As Hannah Franz notes, It's a Wonderful Life is one of those movies that families watch every year, and its enduring popularity has led to many people making it part of their holiday tradition. “It’s a movie that everybody knows,” says Franz. “People seem to have a set group of people they watch it with every year, and that tradition makes it a bit pressure-filled to do justice to the story.”
The story follows George Bailey, a man with big dreams who, through a series of events, comes to realize that the life he lived in his small town was, in fact, “wonderful.” Stoesz explains, “It’s a very relatable story, especially for people living in small towns. Everyone has dreams of going places and doing things, but for some, those dreams come true, and for others, they don’t. And that's okay—life is still good, even when things don’t turn out the way we planned.”
George Bailey: A role that resonates
Quentin Stoesz, playing George Bailey, shares his excitement about portraying such an iconic character. “George starts off as a young boy, and we see him age throughout the production. He’s a man with big ambitions, and it’s interesting to see how his journey unfolds.” Although initially, Stoesz was going to play a 10-year-old George, the role was recast with a younger actor to maintain authenticity.
Despite the age difference, Stoesz feels that the younger actor’s performance captures the essence of a young George Bailey. “It’s interesting to see how young actors bring to life their older counterparts. They may not look the same, but their mannerisms and energy really bring those characters to life,” Stoesz explains.
Immersive community theater
Hannah Franz, who also plays Aunt Millie, shares her admiration for the community support surrounding local theater productions. “There’s so much talent here in the Pembina Valley,” says Franz. “We have hundreds of people coming out to see these shows, which is incredible. The community is very supportive, and it’s amazing how involved people get, even when they’re not performing.”
The production is a perfect example of how immersive and interactive theater can be. “The audience becomes a part of the experience, even if they’re just sitting and watching,” says Franz. “Live theater really connects with people in a way that other forms of entertainment can’t.”
Dinner theater adds a special touch
In addition to the regular theater performances at the Kenmore Theatre, It's a Wonderful Life will also be staged as a dinner theater production at the Manitou Opera House. These dinner theater performances will feature actors interacting with the audience while serving meals, adding a fun, immersive twist to the show. "It’s a new challenge for the actors to stay in character while serving dinner," Franz laughs. "We have a lot of new faces in the cast, and everyone’s learning and growing together in this unique setting."
The dinner theater experience will run Friday, December 6th (which is already sold out) and Saturday, December 7th. The regular theater production will continue at the Kenmore Theater on November 29th and 30th, with a matinee on December 1st.
A must-see for the holiday season
The timeless message of It's a Wonderful Life—that life is still wonderful even when it doesn’t go as planned—has captivated generations of viewers. "It’s a heartfelt roller coaster of emotions that will leave you feeling good," says Stoesz. “Whether you're reliving memories from when your parents or grandparents first saw it, or you're experiencing it for the first time, it’s a production you won’t want to miss.”
Both Stoesz and Franz encourage everyone to come out and experience the magic of this iconic story live on stage. “It’s a great opportunity to relive this classic in a new way,” says Stoesz. "I’m confident people will love it."
Show dates and ticket information
- Kenmore Theatre in Morden: November 29th, 30th, and December 1st (matinee)
- Manitou Opera House (dinner theater): December 6th (sold out) and December 7th
Tickets are available at www.candlewick.ca.