THE CREATIVE TEAM

Music by PHILIP KERN
Lyrics by SUSAN KERN and PHILIP KERN
Book by SUSAN KERN and JERRY LOWE
Orchestration by STEVE PARSONS

THE HISTORY OF KERN & LOWE'S "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE"

KERN & LOWE'S "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE" has been playing to enthusiastic standing ovations in professional theatres, community theatres, and high schools across the United States since 1998. After Susan and Philip Kern began work on their musical version in 1990, they were joined by bookwriter Jerry Lowe, who also directed the highly successful world premiere production at Cincinnati's Aronoff Center for the Arts in 1998. Since then, audiences have returned again and again to the memorable songs and powerfully touching story of George Bailey, the man who learns what the world would be like if he'd never been born.

KERN & LOWE'S "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE," the musical version of the timeless classic has performed everywhere to standing-room-only crowds with a script that remains meticulously faithful to Frank Capra's beloved movie enhanced by Philip Kern's soaring score filled with songs ranging from the jazzy "Steppin' Out," to Old Man Potter's show-stopping sardonic soft shoe number "Happy," to George and Mary's lushly romantic duet "Make a Wish," and George's touchingly poignant lullaby for Zuzu "Flower Dream," to Clarence's simple, profoundly reassuring "A Wonderful Life," and the rousingly exuberant finale "The Richest Man in Town"--music and lyrics that inevitably leave audiences humming and whistling as they depart the theatre.

KERN & LOWE'S "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE," sometimes called "the American Christmas Carol," tells the now familiar story of George and Mary Bailey, the scheming, Scrooge-like Mr. Potter, Clarence, the lovable angel trying to win his wings, and the heart-warming triumph of the Bailey family and the Bedford Falls community. Today, in our own uncertain financial times, KERN & LOWE'S "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE" resonates more than ever. Look no further than the evening news: “Can I keep my house? What’s going on with the banks?” And yet what we cling to and cherish most is this story of hope, love, sacrifice and the power of friendship--America at its best.

Give your community a new holiday tradition. Give them the Happiest Heavenly Holiday Musical of them all...

KERN & LOWE'S "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE".