There is no need to stay at home this holiday season when you can see what many consider one of the most inspirational stories of all time. The Bonstelle Theatre presents Lloyd Garrison and Roger Robb's stage adaptation of It's a Wonderful Life at 8 p.m. on December 5 - 6 and 12 - 13, and at 2 p.m. on December 7 and 14.

It's a Wonderful Life

Lavell Neal as Clarence Oddbody and David Cowan as George Bailey.

It's a Wonderful Life Adaptation by Lloyd Garrison and Roger Robb Friday, December 5, 2008at 8 p.m. Friday, December 12, 2008 at 8 p.m. Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 8 p.m. Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 8 p.m. Sunday, December 7, 2008 at 8 p.m. Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 8 p.m.

It's a Wonderful Life is a well-known holiday story and tradition: George Bailey always puts others before himself but, after misplacing an $8000 loan, is depressed and suicidal on Christmas Eve. Clarence Oddbody, his guardian angel, comes to Earth to show George how many lives he has affected. After seeing what life would have been like in the town of Bedford Falls had he never been born, George realizes that he truly has a wonderful life.

The holidays are many things; maybe most overlooked is that they act as a special, sacred time to celebrate with friends and family. The message of It's a Wonderful Life is that no matter how insignificant we feel, we are all separated by mere degrees, each person playing an important part in others' lives. The good and bad decisions each person makes will affect a larger circle of people than they can imagine. As Mrs. Bailey says, "We measure our lives by the impact we make on the people around us." During the holiday season, everyone is reminded of the impact they have on friends, neighbors, and family members.

It's a Wonderful Life is directed by guest-director John Lennox and stage-managed by Mercedes Coley. The cast includes: Megan Amadon (Mary Hedge/Eastpointe, MI), Alexandre Bleau (Bert/Montreal, Quebec), Jessica Cottrell (Mrs. Bailey/Gladwin, MI), David Cowan (George Bailey/Grosse Ile, MI), Zack Fealk (Townsperson/Farmington, MI), Kerianne Furgerson (Townsperson/Dearborn, MI), Jo Galvano (Janie/Clinton Township, MI), Joe Hamid (Mr. Welsch/Dearborn, MI), Kenny Konaszewski (Mr. Potter/Hamtramck, MI), Jacqueline Melody Michnuk (Townsperson/Dearborn, MI), Lavell Neal (Clarence Oddbody/Detroit, MI), Chris Perkins (Harry Bailey/Grosse Pointe Shores, MI), Rachel E. Porter (Townsperson/Woodhaven, MI), Ashley Shamoon (Ruth/Northville, MI), Andrew Sheldon (Peter/Milan, MI), Alex Trice (Ernie/Bloomfield Hills, MI), Justin Wagner (Townsperson/Warren, MI), Victoria Weatherspoon (Violet Phillips/Taylor, MI), Steven J. West (Nick/Plymouth, MI), Scott K. Wilding (Tommy/Dearborn Heights, MI), and Alex Wisz (Uncle Billy/Lathrup Village, MI). The production team includes WSU staff members William F. Moser (Scenic Designer) and Fred Florkowski (Technical Director). WSU undergraduate students on the design team are Leah Karper (Costume Designer/Carlisle, PA), Heather DeFauw (Lighting Designer/Fraser, MI), Bobby Tacoma (Sound Designer/Livonia, MI), and Alan Batkiewicz (Property Master/Berkley, MI).

It's a Wonderful Life plays at the Bonstelle Theatre December 5, 2008 to December 14, 2008. Advance ticket sales are available at the Wayne State Theatre Box Office, located at 4743 Cass Avenue on the corner of Cass and Hancock, or by phone at (313) 577-2960. Tickets are now available for purchase online at www.wsushows.com. The box office is open Tuesday - Saturday from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the door at the Bonstelle Theatre (3424 Woodward Ave.) one hour prior to performances. Regular tickets are available for $15, and $12 discounted tickets are available to students with ID, seniors ages 62+, and Wayne State University faculty, staff, and Alumni Association members. Group discounts are also available. For more information, please visit the theatre's website at www.bonstelle.com.

The 2008-2009 Bonstelle Theatre season is sponsored by CBS Radio, Between the Lines, and the Dearborn Times-Herald.