Theatre Bacchus is getting into the George Bailey business this week.
The Niagara theatre company opens a stage version of “It’s a Wonderful Life” Friday for a two-weekend run. It’s the third straight year the roving company — it puts on shows in various Niagara wineries — has staged a Christmas show. This one will be at Vieni Estates winery in Beamsville.
Before she heads to the fictional town of Bedford Falls, Bacchus artistic director Lana Borsellino took some time for a Q&A:
Review: What sets the stage version of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ apart from the classic film?
Borsellino: “The stage adaptation of the classic Frank Capra film tries to stay true to many of the favourite moments that audiences come to expect. From the newel post that keeps coming off in George Bailey’s house, to George’s mad run home through the snowy streets of Bedford Falls after seeing what life would be like if he never lived, to the tinkling bells on the Christmas tree that lets his daughter, Zuzu, know that an angel just got his wings. But a live theatre performance immerses the audience more deeply in the experience. The characters are moving amongst them and they will even pass a physical sign stating that they are ‘Now Entering Bedford Falls’ as they enter the venue.”
Review: Why do you think this story endures with people?
Borsellino: “I think this story connects with people, especially at this time of year, because there are so many aspects of what the characters go through, especially George Bailey, with which many of us can identify. We have all seen some big dreams get interrupted or stunted by unfortunate circumstances; we sometimes feel trapped by where we are and long to be somewhere else; we even sometimes question our worth. But when we get to the main message of this tale, which is that we all make the world a better place by the lives we touch on our journey, it is so life-affirming.”
Review: After that tough start, launching just before the pandemic, were you worried Theatre Bacchus was finished before it even began?
Borsellino: “Yes, when we were set to launch our first show in March of 2020, and the pandemic put a big halt to that, we felt just like George Bailey in this show. What do we do now? Will we ever get this off the ground? But we developed our radio dramas with Niagara winery sponsors, and called it ‘Theatre of the Wine’ instead of the classic ‘Theatre of the Mind,’ and we built our audiences both here and all around the world. It convinced us that there really was a place for us in the theatre world when the pandemic was all over.”
Review: The company wanted to fill a theatre gap during the winter in Niagara. After three years, do you see that happening?
Borsellino: “Indeed, we are finding that audiences are following us even when it is not during the tourist high season in Niagara, and our following is growing. We have heard from local bed and breakfasts that now they have somewhere to recommend to their guests to go in the evenings after the wineries shut down for the day. We have audience members emailing us asking when our next production will be. There has been an overall reaction from business and the public alike, that we are a welcome addition to tourism and the community itself, and that makes us very happy.”
Review: Is a permanent home still in the works or do you enjoy being a roving company?
Borsellino: “We are enjoying all of the relationships that we have built with our host wineries these past two years, but we will be starting next year with trying to find our permanent home. Stay tuned for more news on that exciting development.”
“It’s a Wonderful Life” is at Vieni Estates (4553 Fly Rd.) Nov. 24, 25 and 26, and Dec. 8, 9 and 10. For tickets visit www.theatrebacchus.com.
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