From November 7th to 21st, Cabrillo TheatreArts will present the world premiere of a Kaufman and Perri musical, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The contemporary version of the classic Christmas tale still asks the question, “Who can know the hearts we touch and the lives we change?”
Re-imagined for modern times, the original show tunes and dance numbers incorporate a wide spectrum of music types. Theater goers will be engaged by ballads, hard rock, gospel, reggae and show tunes.
Although the classic characters retain their original names and George Bailey is still rescued by his guardian angel, it is from a modern day fiasco. George still learns the true value of life and wealth.
When Kaufman discovered that Scotts Valley Water District Director Chris Perri could write music and Perri learned that Technical Writer Marcus Kaufman writes lyrics, they knew that they had the potential of a good musical partnership. Initially, writing songs was their hobby. Before long they had written enough material that their associates encouraged them to market their music.
As a joke, Perri said, “Why don’t we create a musical? Maybe a musical version of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ ” When they sent a package of their songs to Kathryn Adkins of Cabrillo TheatreArts, she told them that it was very good. Then she asked, “Do you want to know how to make it better?”
After revisions were made and resubmitted, and after a long period of time had passed, Kaufman and Perri were surprised when they received a notice that their musical would be performed in November, 2015.
Kaufman explained the process they used to create their music. He based all of his song titles on famous lines from the original classic and from those titles he derived the lyrics. Perri interpreted the lyrics by paying attention to his response to them and what he felt was the internal rhythm.
Perri created all of the music associated to the “head angel” to be gospel, whereas reggae is used to describe the angel who is sent from heaven to earth to look over George. In a musical, when a sound is associated with the character of a person that is called leitmotif.
According to Kaufman, “A good example of leitmotif is found in “Peter and the Wolf” when each instrument is associated with a different character.” A musical theme may define a person, place or idea. “In our musical, the lead characters each have their own sounds,” said Perri. Each song plays a role and states a specific idea. The lyrics tell the story.
Asked what their greatest challenge was in writing this musical, Kaufman explained that cutting scenes was tough. Bringing the performance into the length necessary for it to be played within the allotted time frame was hard for them to do. “It is tighter and marches forward to work much better,” said Kaufman.
Perri predicted that at the end of the first act, “There will not be a dry eye.” He said that during workshop/rehearsal, some of the players had that reaction as they observed it. The tears come after George asks his new wife, “Mrs. Bailey, may I have this dance?”
Tickets are on sale now at www.cabrillovapa.com or call 479-6154. Lyrics and Libretto by Marcus Kaufman — Music and Arrangements by Chris Perri —Director: Kathryn Adkins — Music Director: Don Adkins.
