ACT I.

One man's life can have more impact on things around him than anyone might realize. This was the main lesson in "It's a Wonderful Life." The musical starts off with everyone in town praying for the safety of a man by the name of George Bailey, who had apparently been acting strange lately (Find and Protect Him). In response to these prayers we meet Clarence Odbody, an angel with a love of the book "Tom Sawyer", a second class angel who has not yet earned his wings. Clarence tells George that he has more strength in him then he knows (Muster Up a Little Courage) and takes George on a tour of his life in order for him to understand his importance in this world.

  In the first flashback we see George at 13, working at the pharmacy that is run by Mr. Gower. Mr. Gower has found out that his son has died and has tried to drink his sorrows away. George stops him from unknowingly giving poison pills to a sick family.

George, now a grown man, is getting ready to leave for college.(George's Send Off) It is the night of the big home coming dance and everybody is ready for a good time.(I Love to Dance). Everybody but George that is. He had helped work at his father's Building and Loan business for a few years, only long enough to make some money for college. More than anything else, his dream was still to leave this city and travel the world. (Something Important).

As George and his father go for a walk, Uncle Billy and Aunt Tilly talk about how much older George seems, and how the years are moving fast. (Whoop's Another Year's Gone By).

George stops buy the dance where he meets Mary Hatch the little sister of an old friend, but she isn't little any more. They have a dance and then another. They would have danced all night if someone hadn't tripped the switch on the electric floor and dropped everybody into the pool.

Later that evening, dressed in whatever they could find in the locker rooms George and Mary walk home alone along the moonlit streets. (Sliver of the Moon). As George and Mary come closer Uncle Billy arrives with news of George's father's heart attack. George leaves Mary to rush to his fathers side.

Later at Pop Bailey's funeral (There is a Time/Light of my Life) George discovers that Potter will use his influence to close the Building and Loan. George decides to take his fathers place and run the Building and Loan and give his college money to his brother.

Time shifts to 4 years later. While George is waiting for his brother to return home from college to take his place at the Building and Loan, he discovers that Mary Hatch is also back from college. Mother Bailey suggests he stops by for a visit. As George takes a walk to think about it. Mother Bailey reminisces about her two sons. (My Boys).

George arrives at Mary's house just as Sam Wainwright calls to talk about his latest deal. As George shares an old candlestick phone with Mary and listens to Sam, he begins to see in Mary everything he is missing in life. He finally gets up the courage to kiss Mary and his life changes. (Suddenly)

The townspeople throw rice as George and Mary are married. They plan to go on a trip and see a little of the world together. But just before they can leave there is a run on the bank. In a panic everybody tries to take their money out of the Building and Loan. George shows up to help Uncle Billy and Aunt Tilly manage the crowd. But the bank has called in it's loan and there is no money to make payments. Just as it looks like Potter has won, Mary tells George to use their honeymoon money. George makes the money go as far as he can and as the clock strikes 6pm and the doors close they have only 2 dollar bills left. They place them in the safe and joke about the two bills having babies and making them more money.(We need a Little Magic)

ACT 2

The whole town attends the dedication of a new house (In Bailey Park) as the Martini family are welcomed into their new home with the traditional (Bailey Blessing). All of this is a thorn in the side of Mr. Potter, the owner of the bank, had bought out most of the town, but had always been defeated when trying to acquire the Bailey Loan Company. He decides to try a different approach, if you can't beat them... hire them. So knowing that without George the Building and Loan would fail, Mr Potter try's to hire him away. (Easy Living) George is almost taken in but in the end turns down Mr Potter and the money the new job offers. He realizes that by refusing Mr Potter's offer he is giving up the one chance he has to give his wife and family everything they deserve. When he tells Mary of his choice she explains to him that money isn't important to her. (Quiet Wishes, Simple Dreams)

Time Shifts to 10 years later. The country has been through a war. The Bailey company barely manages to squeak by the depression and now Harry is a returning war hero. Everyone including Uncle Billy are overjoyed that Harry is returning safely. On his way to the bank with the days receipts Uncle Billy stops to tell everybody he know about his hero nephew. He even stops to talk to Mr Potter. But in an absent minded move he leaves the bank deposit in the newspaper he gave to Potter. Instead of returning the money Potter see his opportunity and calls in the bank examiner, sending her to the building and loan.

At the building and loan everyone is excited. Harry has called and everybody is lining up for a chance to speak to him. Sitting in the corner is Miss Carter the bank examiner, quietly waiting to begin her audit. As the audit begins Uncle Billy tells George about the missing money. He doesn't know where it is and without it both he and George could go to jail. Depressed George returns home and finds his family around the piano singing. (Listen to the Bells). Agitated and depressed he begins to lose hope. Lashing out at his family and friends he turns to the only person in town who may have the money to help him, Mr Potter. Potter takes the opportunity to gloat (Look at You) and sends George off with a promise to call the police. George takes to the streets looking for an answer. How will he get the money? He remembers his insurance policy - that will cover the loss. Just then Clarence steps in again. We are now back were the evening began with George on the bridge contemplating suicide. Clarence explains that he is there not only to help George but to help himself. (I want to Fly) Clarence tried to tell George how important he was, but George refused to listen, so finally Clarence decides to show him what Bedford Falls would be like if George had never been born.

  The first thing George noticed was that everyone in town was a good deal more angry, rude, and inhospitable. The "Bedford Falls" sign now read "Pottersville", for Mr. Potter owns the entire town. Everyone now lives in run-down old houses, for the trusting and friendly Bailey Bank & Loans had died with his father. The city has become run-down. Mary became a bitter old maid, and his mother had to start a boarding house just to make ends meet. Harry died when he fell into the ice at the age of 10, and so he was not there to save the transport vessels during the war. Mr. Gower became a drunkard after he was released from prison for poisoning an entire family who had the flu. George becomes distraught and asks Clarence to take him back.(The Greatest Gift of All)

Bert happens upon George in the snow. He asks of George if he is ok, and tells him that everybody in town is looking for him. George realizes he is back, he runs home - his mood much lighter, and hugs his children. A banker and a lawyer were there, wanting the $8000. Mary said she had a surprise for him. Just about the entire town came in and donated money to pay the bank. Well over what was needed was raised, as the townspeople showed their gratitude to their good friend, George Bailey. (A Christmas Greeting). Harry arrives just in time to toast his brother, for a man with this many friends is a rich man indeed. He also give George a beat up old copy of "Tom Sawyer", the book Clarence had been reading. Harry says that a crazy old man give it to him at the airport and made him promise to give it to George personally. Inside was a note reminding George just how precious life is. A bell rings on the Bailey christmas tree, signifying Clarence's earning of his wings.(It's a Wonderful Life)

  This show is a great example of just how valuable the gift of life is, and how large of an impact even one person can have on the life of so many others.

End