"It's A Wonderful Life"

at Del Valle Theatre will

get you in the holiday spirit

By Charles Jarrett

With Christmas just around the corner, there are dozens of holiday theatrical offerings around the Bay Area. In the past, Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" has been my perennial favorite, but since I reviewed "It's A Wonderful Life" last year at Del Valle, I have a new favorite.

Once again, the Contra Costa Christian Theatre is presenting another terrific production of "It's A Wonderful Life" at the Del Valle Theatre, next door to Rossmoor. Based on the movie by Frank Capra, set in the 1930s and 1940s in Bedford Falls, Everywhere USA, this is the perfect production to bring back the spirit of giving, caring and sharing!

George Bailey grows up in the family business, a small town building and loan association. It is the business his father, Peter, built, a business based on American ingenuity, integrity and old-fashioned values. It is a story built around Christian ideals and values and it is a wonderful story that will send you home feeling good, with hope in your heart for a better tomorrow.

George's father made exceptions again and again to allow the hardworking middle and lower middle class the opportunity to buy their first homes, even though, by most standards of the day, they wouldn't qualify. A lot of people who had been forced to live in Henry Potter's run-down apartments and rental homes have at last been given their first chance to own their own homes. George is about to go off to college when his father dies suddenly and the business is about to be trashed by a competitor, Henry Potter. The board of directors for the Bailey Building and Loan elect to keep the business running with the proviso that young George Bailey stay on and to take the position of the company president.

George sacrifices a lot for the family business, even his honeymoon to Mary. Several years and four children later, when the business is in trouble again, George goes to the bridge over Bedford Falls, intent on committing suicide when suddenly a guardian angel shows up, an angel by the name of Clarence. Clarence is a neophyte angel, still waiting to earn his wings. But his heart and intentions are great and the adventure goes forward. George wishes he'd never been born, and on a whim, Clarence grants his wish.

If you are not familiar with the wonderful ending to "It's A Wonderful Life," I'm going to entice you buy tickets and see the show to find out how it turns out. It is a terrific story, with a great message, told perfectly by this superlative, albeit mostly amateur, cast. This is community theater at its best; well prepared, well directed (by Al Anderson), and inspired to do it well.

What is it that makes this story such a popular story? Well, my guess is that the basic message is that each of us, no matter how insignificant we might feel we are, has the power to make a difference and that the measure of humanity has nothing to do with fortune or fame or birthright, but how we live our lives day-by-day. Surely this story exemplifies how much better life works if we live by the golden rule, doing to and for others what we wish they would do for us, without expectations or rewards or recognition.

This is a 32-person cast, so I cannot begin to give everyone kudos who deserve them, but I will start with the key performers. Keith Barlow is outstanding as he reprises his role of previous years as George Bailey. Shannon Zeig is similarly outstanding as Mary Bailey, as is Keith Parker as the onerous Henry Potter. Gary Mutz is superb as the guardian angel, Clarence, and Steve Dexter performs equally well as the absent-minded Uncle Billy. There are a lot of very talented performers and a lot of very important little parts as well as primary parts that bring you a most enjoyable evening of entertainment just around the corner from home.

The Del Valle Theatre is located at 1963 Tice Valley Boulevard in Walnut Creek. Call 943-SHOW (7469) for tickets "It's A Wonderful Life" plays through Dec. 19. This is a great show for the whole family, and how many times can I say that these days.

November Recreation Special Events

The following are the November Special Events sponsored by the Rossmoor Recreation Department. For more information on any of these events during the month, check the Special Events listing on the calendar page each week, look for the article in the Arts and Leisure section of the News, or call the Recreation Department at 988-7732. Events are free unless otherwise noted. This information is posted throughout the month of November on the Rossmoor News website at www.rossmoornews.com

December Special Events sponsored by the Recreations Department 

The following are the December Special Events sponsored by the Rossmoor Recreation Department. For more information any of these events during the month, check the Special Events listing on the calendar page each week, look for the article in the Arts and Leisure section of the News, or call the Recreation Department at 988-7732.

Art Association holds introduction to French impressionism 

The Rossmoor Art Association will hold its final meeting of the year on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 1 p.m., in Peacock Hall.

"ART" presented by Playhouse West , "Art" is abstract

Playhouse West offers a three-man play titled "Art" in the intimate Knight Theatre in the Walnut Creek Regional Center for the Art during the next two weeks.

"It's A Wonderful Life"

at Del Valle Theatre will

"Cabaret" is Saturday movie 

The 1972 film, "Cabaret," starring Liza Minnelli and Michael York will be shown in Peacock Hall at Gateway on Saturday, Nov. 27, at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. The showing at 1 p.m. will feature language captions.

CAC selling ceramics during the holidays 

The Ceramic Arts Club is selling ceramic articles for gifts during the holiday season. Prices are far below comparable retail. Residents are welcome to browse the ceramic studios at Gateway every day between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Civic Arts, Clay Arts to hold art sale in two locations 

Walnut Creek's Civic Arts Education and Clay Arts Guild will present their holiday art sale in two locations. Both sales will take place Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 2 through Dec. 5.

Contra Costa Jazz Band presents free winter concert 

The Contra Costa Jazz Band, under the direction of Art Dougherty, will present its winter concert on Monday, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m. at Del Valle Theatre, 1963 Tice Valley Blvd.

Cotillion Dinner Dancers hold gala celebration 

The Cotillion Dinner Dancers plan a gala holiday celebration at Hillside Clubhouse Friday, Dec. 3.

Dick Williams and his tenor band perform for Sunday Night Showcase 

Dick Williams and his seven-piece tenor band will perform at Sunday Night Showcase on Sunday, Dec. 5, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.in the Fireside Room at Gateway.

Elizabeth Kerley selected artist of the month

The Rossmoor Art Association selected Elizabeth Kerley as artist of the month for December. Examples of Kerley's work will be exhibited in Studio I of Gateway starting Monday, Nov. 29.

Film Club to view and discuss classic screwball comedy with local writer 

The Show and Tell Film Club will see the classic 1932 comedy, "Trouble in Paradise," on Wednesday, Dec. 1, starting shortly after 3 p.m. in Peacock Hall at Gateway.

"It's A Wonderful Life" is holiday classic produced by CCCT

Contra Costa Christian Theatre will perform the holiday classic "It's a Wonderful Life" through Dec. 19 at the Del Valle Theatre located at 1963 Tice Valley Blvd.

Learn about upcoming travel opportunities 

In cooperation with the Excursions Desk, a representative from Premier World Tours will give a presentation about upcoming trips on Monday, Nov. 29, at 11 a.m. in Peacock Hall.

Movie Short Takes 

A view of the natural cycles of life

New Year's Eve events set for Gateway and Del Valle 

The year 2005 is rapidly approaching and the Recreation Department has planned a variety of New Year's Eve events to be conveniently held right here in Rossmoor.

Only one ballroom dance class set for December

Because of conflicting holiday schedules, there will be only one Wednesday dance class offered in the month of December. Tango will be taught on Dec. 1 to the three classes for different skill levels.

Rossmoor Community Chorus and Moraga Chorus will present winter holiday concert 

The 50-member Rossmoor Community Chorus, combining with the 30-member Moraga Community Chorus, is eager to present its first holiday concert on Friday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. The 80 voices will heighten the festive mood.

Rossmoor Squares meets Tuesday evenings 

As well as dancing every Tuesday evening from 7 until 9:30 p.m., Rossmoor Squares holds workshops during the week for all levels of skill.

St. Anne's to hold bake sale and boutique 

St. Anne's Church will hold its annual bake sale and boutique on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. until after the 5 p.m. Mass, and Sunday, Dec. 5, before and after all Masses, at the Parish Center.

Sunday Night Social to feature original film version of "Alfie" 

On Nov. 28, the movie for Sunday Night Social will be the original "Alfie." For this event, refreshments are served in the Redwood Room at 5:15 p.m. and the movie in the Peacock Hall starts at 6.

"The Terminal" is Thursday, Friday movie 

The 2004 romantic comedy, "The Terminal," starring Tom Hanks and Catherine Zeta-Jones will be shown in Peacock Hall at Gateway on Thursday, Nov. 25, and Friday, Nov. 26. Showings at both days will be at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. with language captions being utilized at the 1 p.m. showings.

Town Hall Theatre to produce holiday tale 

The Town Hall Theatre Company of Lafayette will produce a holiday play called "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" from Dec. 2 to 24 at Town Hall Theatre located at 3535 School Street at Moraga Road in Lafayette. The play will show Friday through Sunday (with Sunday matinees).

Walnut Creek Concert Band presents holiday concert 

The Walnut Creek Concert Band will present its annual holiday concert on Tuesday, Nov. 30, at 8 p.m. at the Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts, Hofmann Theatre, Walnut Creek.