Rogue Machine celebrates its new home, The Matrix, by mounting the L.A. premiere of This Wonderful Life, a one-man play adapted from the ever-popular film, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Leo Marks is the remarkable actor who not only narrates the film’s story but impersonates most of its important characters, beginning with George Bailey, the angst-ridden small-town banker who contemplates suicide (“I wish I had never been born!”) and is saved by his guardian angel, who grants his wish, making him see what a difference he has made to his family and townspeople.
Marks deserves the highest praise for his dazzling and triumphant performance. One minute he channels the voice and posture of James Stewart (who played Bailey in Frank Capra’s film), the next he does the same for Lionel Barrymore (the town’s plutocratic villain). In a twinkling, Marks also brings to life his wife and child, as well as various friends, shop-keepers and barmen. All this without benefit of a costume change or a time out. Marks keeps the action going in non-stop, breathless fashion, sometimes even poking fun at himself via a quip or a puckish look.
Marks is aided in his tour de force performance by Rick Martin’s light and projection design, which weaves scenes from the film into a black-and-white tapestry that highlights what’s being said on stage. The result is a feast for both eyes and ears.
This Wonderful Life was originally commissioned and produced by Portland Center Stage. Playwright Steve Murray did the film-to-stage adaptation and it’s a wonderful one, keeping what’s best about the movie and cutting what’s extraneous or overly sentimental. Director Drew Barr deserves much praise as well for the way This Wonderful Life unfolds and captivates.
