• Theatre

    This Wonderful Life

    This Wonderful Life Image gallery

    San Jose Repertory Theatre

    November 24-December 23, 2007

    Avg. Event Rating (4.5 Stars): 4.5 out of 5 stars rating Add Review/Comment

    Superbly adapted from the most irresistible and entertaining “what if” story of all time. The award-winning playwright Steve Murray has created a visually stunning stage adaptation of the perennially popular holiday film, It’s A Wonderful Life that is sure to capture your heart and captivate your spirit. This one-man tour de force delivers a witty and moving story brimming with nostalgia and imagination. Seamlessly and with a breakneck pace we reconnect with 35 characters including Clarence, the eager angel in waiting who saves George Bailey from himself; the evil and miserly Mr. Potter; devoted Mary, and the adorable ZuZu with petals in her pocket. While doing so, we’re reminded of the power of perspective, friendship and family … the perfect holiday gifts.

    • Ticket Info

      Tickets: $18-$52

      Buy tickets

    • Dates & Times

      Dates:
      November 24-December 23, 2007

      Times:
      Tues-Fri: 8pm
      Wed: 12pm
      Sat: 3pm, 8pm
      Sun: 2pm, 7pm

    • Venue Info

      San Jose Repertory Theatre

      101 Paseo de San Antonio San Jose, CA 95113-2603

      Full map and directions

    • Accessibility Info
      • Wheelchair Access
    • NOTE: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate, however it's a good idea to visit the website or call the venue to verify the information.

    • Member Reviews
      • Event Name: Splitting Infinity
        4 out of 5 stars rating "Supernova!"
        Review posted by: Susannah from San Jose, Ca, Oct 23, 2008

        Clever, layered, intelligently written play that was perfectly cast! The interwoven themes of science and religion were explored in a passionate and unique way. This is nothing groundbreaking... Expand

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

        Clever, layered, intelligently written play that was perfectly cast! The interwoven themes of science and religion were explored in a passionate and unique way. This is nothing groundbreaking conceptually, but at the same time it's compelling and engaging. A play you are unlikely to see anywhere else with a phenomenal set design that is as 3 dimensional as it is metaphorical. A great conversational piece. Collapse

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

      • Event Name: The Foreigner
        5 out of 5 stars rating "Very funny"
        Review posted by: catherine from San Jose, CA, Oct 04, 2008

        The actors were excellent and truly portrays the story. The play itself was well-written with the right balance between light and dark. Truly a play for anyone.

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

        The actors were excellent and truly portrays the story. The play itself was well-written with the right balance between light and dark. Truly a play for anyone.

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

      • Event Name: The Foreigner
        4.5 out of 5 stars rating "Fabulous!!!!!"
        Review posted by: Lena from Santa Cruz, CA USA, Sep 25, 2008

        I think It had a real affect on all the audience. All the characters were unique and incredible!!! I laughed till it hurt! It was so realistic, I felt I was part of the story. You guys Rock!!

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

        I think It had a real affect on all the audience. All the characters were unique and incredible!!! I laughed till it hurt! It was so realistic, I felt I was part of the story. You guys Rock!!

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

      • Event Name: The Foreigner
        4.5 out of 5 stars rating "Laughed out loud!"
        Review posted by: April from San Jose, CA, Sep 09, 2008

        It's been a long time since I've seen a live theatre production that made me laugh so hard. Great performances all around. In fact, while Louis Lotorto was absolutely fabulous as the lead, Charlie... Expand

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

        It's been a long time since I've seen a live theatre production that made me laugh so hard. Great performances all around. In fact, while Louis Lotorto was absolutely fabulous as the lead, Charlie Baker; one of the standouts was 'villain' Owen Musser, played by James Asher. It's sometimes harder to play the villain than the hero and in this case he effectively rides the line between being very funny and also disturbing. Collapse

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

      • Event Name: The Foreigner
        4 out of 5 stars rating "Funny Stuff"
        Review posted by: Susannah from San Jose, CA, Sep 08, 2008

        The rep has been getting better and better over the last few years and this show is their best yet. Solid casting, beautiful technical elements, and a fun script make this an enjoyable evening.

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

        The rep has been getting better and better over the last few years and this show is their best yet. Solid casting, beautiful technical elements, and a fun script make this an enjoyable evening.

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

      • Event Name: The Foreigner
        4.5 out of 5 stars rating "Don't miss it"
        Review posted by: Ralph from Sunnyvale, CA, Sep 06, 2008

        Very funny. Six main characters, very unique. Plot was a bit on the 'farce' side, but the actors made it work. A few scenes that had the audience in stitches. Good plot, nice ending. Check it out.

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

        Very funny. Six main characters, very unique. Plot was a bit on the 'farce' side, but the actors made it work. A few scenes that had the audience in stitches. Good plot, nice ending. Check it out.

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

      • Event Name: The Foreigner
        5 out of 5 stars rating "Very entertaining production"
        Review posted by: Marge from San Jose, CA, Sep 05, 2008

        This show is hilarious; every actor is perfectly cast and the set, staging, lighting and sound effects are great.

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

        This show is hilarious; every actor is perfectly cast and the set, staging, lighting and sound effects are great.

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

      • Event Name: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
        1.5 out of 5 stars rating "Pretty, Choppy, and Dull"
        Review posted by: Liz S from San Jose, CA, May 24, 2008

        I went into this show with few expectations, and yet I was so disappointed that I walked out at intermission--only the second time I've ever done so. (I see upwards of 6-12 plays per year.) The... Expand

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

        I went into this show with few expectations, and yet I was so disappointed that I walked out at intermission--only the second time I've ever done so. (I see upwards of 6-12 plays per year.) The writing and direction seemed to be the primary problems, and it's hard to know where to start, so much was wrong. Show, don't tell! The endless narration chopped up the flow of the already convoluted story and detracted from the action it attempted to describe. The "everyone plays Hyde except Jeckyll and the maid" idea was interesting, but failed on stage. In 2008, making the "reveal" that Jeckyll is Hyde into a "climax" just doesn't work at all. Overacting plagued the major characters to the point of being Shatneresque. Minor characters were way too numerous and so one-dimensional as to become indistinguishable from one another. Audio problems sometimes drowned out the actors. The lone bright spot was the set, which was both pretty and spooky. Collapse

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

      • Event Name: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
        4.5 out of 5 stars rating "Beautiful and Different"
        Review posted by: Susannah from San Jose, CA, May 17, 2008

        The rep is turning it's game around and appealing to a younger and different crowd with this exciting and techically masterful piece of theatre. From the secdond you sit down the gorgeou set,... Expand

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

        The rep is turning it's game around and appealing to a younger and different crowd with this exciting and techically masterful piece of theatre. From the secdond you sit down the gorgeou set, fantastic lights, flawless sound, and brillant stage direction almost outshine the script. Add to that some of the best physical and versatile acting I've seen in a long time and this is a great night. Clever, different, and engaging, new theatre! Collapse

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

      • Event Name: Triumph of Love
        1 out of 5 stars rating "Stink-Stank-Stunk (not to my taste)"
        Review posted by: Disgruntled Subscriber from Saratoga, CA USA, Oct 11, 2007

        Traditionally good actors were cast, and it had fabulous costumes. But WHY was this play chosen? Why was the gardener portrayed as an 1850's-era American Frontier Hick when all the other parts were... Expand

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

        Traditionally good actors were cast, and it had fabulous costumes. But WHY was this play chosen? Why was the gardener portrayed as an 1850's-era American Frontier Hick when all the other parts were more historically and accurately set in France in the mid-1700's? Was Timothy Near too busy doing a fabulous job directing Lucia di Lammermoor to pay attention to the selection and execution of Triumph of Love at SJ Rep? I heard it got better in the second act, but I left at the intermission as the first act of the play held no promise of redemption. None of the play's characters possessed qualities that evoked a sympathetic response from me. What a shallow farce and how inappropriate for a modern and sophisticated audience. It might have been OK to produce as late as 1955, but not OK in 2007. Collapse

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

      View all reviews/comments for this event

  • Featured Sections

  • Featured Video

    View all videos in Video Central