The stage version of the iconic Christmas favorite, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” will be presented today through Sunday at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre on the campus of the Riverland Community College in Austin.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. each day except for Sunday, Nov. 20, when the performance is at 2 p.m.

The production, directed by Riverland Theatre faculty member Susan V. Hansen, is an adaptation for the stage by James W. Rodgers and based on the 1946 film by Frank Capra and story by Philip Van Doren Stern.

“It’s a large cast of community members, children and students,” said Hanson. “I am very pleased with the production; they are ready to go.”

“It’s a Wonderful Life” takes place in the small town of Bedford Falls where George Bailey dreams of escape and adventure but is stuck in a life of family obligation and civic duty. George’s guardian angel descends on Christmas Eve to save him from despair and to show him what the world would have been like had he never been born.

This adaptation of the classic film celebrates the American philosophy of life: hard work, fair play, and the love and support of one’s family and community. The production is suggested for ages 10 and up.

Hanson said while the film is probably the best known version of the story, the production has been done on radio and as a musical. She came across the Rodgers’ script and fell in love with it, she said. The message of how we all have impact on those around us is an important one, she said.

“I know that I am now in the Christmas spirit,” she said with a chuckle. “And that is pretty early for me.”

If there were challenges, said Hanson, it was the costuming of the production.

“The costumes are gorgeous,” she said. “But they did present a challenge, since the show covers the years from 1919 to 1945.”

Vic Wylde portrays George Bailey and Glynnis Kunkel-Ruiz is his wife, Mary. Paul Burger performs as Clarence, the angel.

Other cast members are: Will Arndt, Mr. Martini; Chase Collins, young George/Pete; Nora Curtis, Mrs. Thompson; Maxwell Deyo, Uncle Billy; Livia Dyke, Miss Andrews; Caoimhe Farrell, Mr. Potter’s secretary; Austin Dean Hodnefield, Ernie; Zack Huggan, Mr. Gower; Dathen Johnson, Bert; Garrin Loveland, Sam Wainwright/Welch; Kendahl Lewis, Janie Bailey/Martini; Lexi Lewis, Zuzu Bailey/Martini; Charli Martin, Mrs. Martini; Emily Miller, Aunt Tilly; Jacob Mueller, Harry Bailey; Claire Olson, Miss Carter; Maurene Olson, Violet Peterson; C.J. Pederson, Mrs. Hatch; Kaye Perry, Mother Bailey; Ray Wicks, Newspaper Boy/Tommy; Danny Ziebell, Mr. Potter’s Goon; and James Zschunke, Henry F. Potter.

“This production of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is new to our theatre, but will be familiar to audiences who love the classic film,” said Riverland Theatre Director Lindsey Duoos Williams. “This will be the perfect way to kick off the holiday season.”

Tickets are $13 and are on sale at www.riverland.edu/tickets 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The online ticketing system allows customers to choose their seats and pay by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover.

Tickets may also be purchased at the Riverland Box Office, located in room E107 in the East Building of the Austin campus. Box office hours are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday, and one hour before performances. Riverland students receive two free tickets to each performance with a valid student ID. Contact the box office at 507-433-0595or by emailing boxoffice@riverland.edu. The theater is located on the college’s east campus, 1900 Eighth Ave. NW in Austin.

Remembering theater past

During the run of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the James Wegner Art Gallery will present “The Scenic Designs of Robert ‘Bo’ Dudley: A Retrospective.”

Dudley was the theatre’s technical director at Riverland Community College (then called Austin Community College) from 1982-1999.

Dudley also created set designs for Summerset Theatre and Matchbox Children’s Theatre in the space that is now the Frank W. Bridges Theatre.

The retrospective showcases his theatrical scenic design work, including sketches, photographs, and numerous scale 3-D models. A silent auction of the set models will be held to support Riverland Theatre scholarships. The art gallery display will be open until Nov. 20.

A reception and talk will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday prior to the performance. The gallery show is free and open to the general public.

“We have an incredible theatrical history here at Riverland, and Robert Dudley was a large part of that,” said Riverland Theatre Director Lindsey Duoos Williams. “Part of his design process was creating intricate 3-D scale models of his sets. Dudley’s family has graciously allowed us to display these models, along with other sketches and photographs of his work. It will be a lot of fun for our long-time audience members to revisit these shows from our past, as well as a fascinating glimpse into the design process for a theatrical production.”