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'It's A Wonderful' Play

Tribune photo by GEORGE H. NEWMAN

Jim Golombek, left, Maurice Cecchini and Thom Miller practice their lines at for “ It’s a Wonderful Life,” which opened Friday at Cornerstone Center.

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN

gnewman@tampatrib.com

Published: November 15, 2008

PLANT CITY - George Bailey, the main character in the play "It's A Wonderful Life," finds out that things aren't really as bad as they seem.

Plant City Entertainment is reviving the 1946 classic film and play based on the short story "The Greatest Gift," written by Philip Van Doren Stern. The play opened Friday and will conclude this weekend.

A cast of more than 30 players and chorus members is preparing for the seasonal show depicting Christmastime in a small town. The show opens Friday at Cornerstone Center, 315 N. Collins St.

The play's director, April Smith, has directed many Plant City Entertainment productions during the community theater's more than 25-year history.

"In the 2007-08 season, April was selected as best actress for her performance in the play 'Brigadoon,'" Plant City Entertainment President Hal Brewer said. "For this production, April has managed to bring together a lot of veteran actors. It's our first time producing this classic Christmas play. I'm sure it will be a big hit."

The players include Thom Miller as George Bailey, Kay Secord as his mother, Jim Golombek as Harry Bailey, Mollie Anderson as Mary Hatch, Maurice Cecchini as Henry Potter, Judy Barta as Miss Andrews and Tom Guerre as Mr. Martini.

Young performers include Chloe Conaghan as the newspaper girl, and Arie Fry has a dual role as the young George Bailey and George's son, Pete. Ashtyn Steele plays Zuzu Bailey, Madison Edwards portrays Janie Bailey, and Hannah Spivey is cast as Tammy Bailey.

"I wasn't originally supposed to direct this show," Smith said. "But it's one of my favorite Christmas plays, so when I was asked a couple weeks before auditions to direct, I jumped at the chance.

"I am very lucky to have some fantastic talent in the show. The casting just fell into place. We pulled performers from Riverview to Lakeland for this show, and I am blessed they all loved it so much they want to be a part of the production. There haven't been very many bumps in the road."

Smith gives credit to many behind-the-scene players.

"I'm very thankful for Courtney Kyle, my production assistant, as well as Betty Roney, our award-winning costume designer. Corey Wade is the set designer and assistant stage manager. And Chris and Jen Poppenhagen, friends that just came out and said, 'What can we do?' have worked diligently on rebuilding our stage extensions.

"Jen and Chris and Jim Golombek have done our backdrop paintings."

Cornerstone Center, formerly First Baptist Church of Plant City, "makes for a great venue," Brewer said. "The stage is right in front of the entire audience. And the setting is intimate and acoustically friendly. The audience is in for a good time."

The movie "It's a Wonderful Life," starring James Stewart and Donna Reed, was nominated for five Oscars without winning any. Some publications say the film is one of the 100 best American films ever made, and placed it No. 1 on their list of the most inspirational American films.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: "It's A Wonderful Life"

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Doors open at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Cornerstone Center, 315 N. Collins St., Plant City

TICKETS: $10 general admission, $8 for those 55 and older and for students through the 12th grade. Advance tickets and group rates are available at Hardee's Fashions, 1501 N. Wheeler St., Plant City.

INFORMATION AND GROUP RATES: Call (813) 754-4929

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451.

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