'Wonderful Life' staged by Civic Light Opera Company

Adapted from Frank Capra's classic film, this musical version, being staged by the Civic Light Opera Company, was created in the 1980s by Joe Raposo and Sheldon Harnick. Due in part to Raposo's untimely death, the show has never been given a full Broadway production but an all-star cast gave a one-night-only concert version in New York in 2005.

The authors have given the show a lilting title song that will linger in the memory. The score also includes a charmingly old-fashioned second-act showstopper for Clarence, the angel seeking his wings.

The song, in fact, is called Wings and David Haines as Clarence leads a fantasy production number backed by a chorus line of angels executing Larry Westlake's slightly campy choreography.

It provides a touch of levity before the story plunges into the darkly surreal sequence when Clarence shows the despondent George Bailey what life in Bedford Falls would have been like had he not been born.

This famous sequence is, of course, where the show's considerable heart may be found, and Bryan Chamberlain as George Bailey rides the emotional roller coaster to maximum effect. His performance really centres the show, which works out well since George is on stage nearly the entire time. His scenes with David Haines effectively point up the incredulity and the wonder George is experiencing.

Chamberlain has a terrific leading lady in Andrea Barker who brings a straightforward charm to the role of Mary, and sings like an angel.

As Henry Potter, the meanest man in town, Lloyd Dean channels some of the residual misanthropy of last season's Scrooge to create a cold-hearted curmudgeon, a connivingly realistic antecedent to Haines' eternally earnest Clarence.

There is also some great ensemble work, notably the finale of the first act where George's brother Harry is given a hero's parade by the townsfolk, while in stark contrast George realizes he might well lose the family business.

In the role of George's heroic brother, Scotty Newlands gets a chance to show off his powerful voice, joined by an equally strong Elizabeth Rose Morris as his wife, Ruth.

Joe Cascone earns applause for ensuring that the sentimentality of the piece never becomes overly saccharine. He has also done his usual wizardry in keeping the action moving without pauses for scenery shifting, aided by Gareth Crew's mix of light and shadow that helps maintain the story's ethereal qualities.

Best of all, It's A Wonderful Life serves as a reminder to value life and embrace both its joys and its challenges. Only the most cynical and jaded will not feel a lump in the throat at the final curtain.

It's A Wonderful Life plays until Sunday, Dec. 27 at Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall Dr. For tickets and performances times visit http://www.civiclightoperacompany.com/ or call the box office 416-755-1717.