This Wonderful Life

A holiday classic
about second chances
NOV. 18-DEC. 27
Written by Steve Murray,
conceived by Mark Setlock

Click on the reviews for more:

“Magical and marvelous…a delightful theatrical tour de force with arresting special effects. Beautifully directed by Todd Olson, the star, Christopher Swan, doesn’t waste a single moment, efficiently and effervescently skating us through the story, and allowing us to revisit the most famous scenes in the film. If this actor were any better, he’d deserve a pair of wings himself. His performance proves once again that an inspired actor can take an audience just about anywhere. Just as life-affirming as the original. And in any season, holiday or not, that’s a welcome, and all too rare, position for a serious work of theater to take.”
- Mark E. Leib, Creative Loafing

"This Wonderful Life is a wonderful spin on a holiday favorite. By stripping away cameras and cast, rendering 130 minutes of sentimental goo into a Jell-O Snack Pack cup, they have brought out the best parts of the film. There's brilliance in effectively messing with tradition. Under the glow of spare but illustrative special effects, the star of the play, Christopher Swan, sprang deftly from one character to the next — from a sweetly nostalgic narrator to a Jimmy Stewart-inspired George to fragile-voiced Zuzu to the chair-bound, crotchety jerk Mr. Potter. He brought dimension to both stable and fleeting characters using malleable voices, facial expressions and personas. Swan was charming and quite moving, especially in the scenes depicting George at his lowest point."
- Kathy L. Greenberg, Tampa Tribune

"Together, American Stage, its star (Christopher Swan), and the ghost of Frank Capra tap into the holiday spirit with this wonderful adaptation. The allure of This Wonderful Life is seeing this gifted actor depict such a wide range of diverse characters, male and female, in rapid succession. Swan captures each individual, rendering them through changes in tone or pitch or accent, and through a variety of physical manifestations which he has truly mastered. Swan nimbly infuses observations throughout the narrative. For instance, he artfully comments on the film’s relevance by drawing comparisons between the Great Depression and the present economic slump. He even suggests a striking similarity between Potter and a recent vice president."
- Lee Clark Zumpe, Tampa Bay Newspaper

CLICK HERE TO SEE CHRISTOPHER SWAN'S INTERVIEW ON STUDIO 10

American Stage Theatre Company continues its first full season in the Raymond James Theatre with the new holiday classic, This Wonderful Life, running Nov. 18 thru Dec. 27 (no performances on Nov. 26 and Dec. 25, and 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. performances on Friday, Nov. 27). “Pay-What-You-Can” nights are Tuesday, Dec. 15 and 22 at 7:30 p.m.

It’s Christmas Eve and George Bailey stands on a snowy bridge ready to jump…when a guardian angel intervenes! Thus begins the most irresistible “what if” story of all time, a visually stunning stage adaptation of Frank Capra’s classic holiday film that is sure to capture your heart and captivate your spirit. Steve Murray and Mark Setlock’s one-man tour de force starring Christopher Swan (Moonlight and Magnolias) bursts with hope and humor and delivers a witty and moving story brimming with nostalgia and imagination.

“We are so excited to bring this inventive new take on Frank Capra’s classic movie to Tampa Bay audiences,” said Todd Olson, American Stage’s producing artistic director. “This Wonderful Life is the perfect start to the holiday season.”

American Stage Theatre Company is located at the Raymond James Theatre at 163 3rd Street North in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.

Performances and ticket prices are as follows:
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday evening curtain is at 7:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday evening curtain is at 8 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday matinee curtain is at 3 p.m. (3 p.m. matinee on Friday, Nov. 27) There are no performances on Nov. 26 and Dec. 25

Tickets prices are $26-$45 depending on date and time of performance.

"Pay What You Can" nights: Tuesday, Dec. 15 and 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Students Rush tickets are $10, 30 minutes prior to curtain.
For tickets, please call the American Stage Box Office at (727) 823-PLAY (7529) or

727-823-PLAY BUY TICKETS

This Wonderful Life

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