To celebrate the holiday season, Nashville Repertory Theatre brings the cherished American classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, back to the stage at TPAC‘s Polk Theatre. For this special holiday edition of Rapid Fire 20Q, JHPEntertainment.com sat down with members of the extraordinary cast and creative team — Brian Charles Rooney, Tamiko Robinson Steele, Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva & Eve Petty, as well as the show’s director Alicia Lark Fuss — to talk character discoveries, backstage magic, family traditions, and why this timeless story still resonates so deeply. Ready for a visit to Bedford Falls? Let’s go.
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RAPID FIRE 20Q WITH CAST AND DIRECTOR OF NASHVILLE REP’s IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
RAPID FIRE WITH BRIAN CHARLES ROONEY, GEORGE BAILEY IN NASHVILLE REP’s IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFEJHPENTERTAINMENT: George Bailey is one of the most enduring characters in American storytelling — how did you begin finding your version of him?
BRIAN CHARLES ROONEY: The film version of this story is such a legendary piece of the cultural fabric; so it’s impossible to ignore it, and I would never want to do that in the first place. However, I have tried to stay focused on the script that we have in hand, as this is a staged/theatrical version, and even though it is obviously based upon the film, it is definitely its own artistic entity. So I wanted to try to create my own version of this character based on how that version could best serve the story, and this interpretation of that story. I faced a similar challenge when playing Buddy the Elf in Elf, a few years ago for the Rep. In that case, the movie is also quite iconic, but the stage musical made enough changes and incorporated such a fun musical score, that it stood on its own. However, in both cases, I have attempted to pay homage, to what has come before!
JHPENTERTAINMENT: That leads perfectly to my next question…as you mentioned, in recent years you’ve entertained Nashville audiences by played roles as varied as Buddy the Elf, Nicely Nicely in Guys and Dolls and The Emcee in Cabaret — how does George Bailey compare in tone and emotional range?
BRIAN CHARLES ROONEY: This is a very different role for me, especially if we compare it to what audiences have seen me play in Nashville… but at heart, George is a fighter, and he’s incredibly sensitive… when he is at his lowest, he still has a lot of faith in the people he loves… even though he loses faith in himself. He is unafraid to feel deeply, and I think that’s a common trait amongst most of the characters I’ve played throughout my career… even here in Nashville! Is it a stretch? I think most people with whom I’ve worked and who support the theater in Nashville might think so; but I am an actor, and it is my joyful responsibility to be a storyteller and execute the vision of the playwright and the director. I’m very much looking forward to doing that with this show!!
JHPENTERTAINMENT: You know I can’t chat with you without mentioning your incredible vocal range and skills as a singer. To that end, is Mariah’s All I Want for Christmas THE holiday song? Or do you have another unlikely favorite that you keep on your most-played Christmas playlist?
BRIAN CHARLES ROONEY: I quite like Mariah’s annual Christmas anthem, and I’m always amazed by how shrewd a business woman she has always been… That song makes her about $3 million in royalties every year. Not too shabby, right?! I have a few other holiday favorites, including When Christmas Comes to Town, from the film The Polar Express, as well as the Kelly Clarkson/Ariana Grande duet Santa, Can’t You Hear Me? I love both of their voices, and I think they sound wonderful together!!! I am always obliged to sing O Holy Night, each year by my family, many friends, church, and other events. I like it because I can live in my classical voice for a moment or two during that song. That’s always fun!
JHPENTERTAINMENT: What’s something about It’s A Wonderful Life that resonates with you personally, especially in today’s world??
BRIAN CHARLES ROONEY: There are a number of reasons this show feels timely and relevant right now… During the show, George Bailey finds himself at odds with Henry Potter, who has all the money in the world, but very little heart. Matt Carlton plays Potter beautifully, and I feel very fortunate to work with him. I’ve had the chance to work with him in The Sound of Music and Cabaret for Studio Tenn, and in A Christmas Carol, the last two years at TPAC for Nashville Rep. He feels like family to me, and I admire him greatly, so one might think it would be difficult seeing him as a villain and interacting with him as such… But it works so well! And I think the audience will particularly love those scenes! I bring those scenes up because the theme of empathy, or rather the lack of empathy, is richly present in those scenes, and despite the fact that some people find empathy a liability, I cons consider it a strength. I think people might agree with me after seeing this show, assuming they may have thought differently beforehand.
Another theme that is undeniably present in this story is that of love… Now that’s certainly a loaded statement, but George struggles with whether or not he matters… And I believe that if you have the capacity for love, you matter. If you are loved by other people, it is difficult to deny the fact that your existence is important. I think that idea, which is present in our play, can remind the audience that it’s never a waste of time to show love to others… it can be, in fact, quite a healing experience for everyone.
RAPID FIRE WITH TAMIKO ROBINSON STEELE, MARY HATCH BAILEY IN IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFEJHPENTERTAINMENT: What is it about Mary Hatch-Bailey that drew you to the role?
TAMIKO ROBINSON STEELE: Mary is grounding. She is that quiet but powerful force that keeps everything steady. I love women like that because they are often the glue in real life. She listens, she leads with love, and she stands firm even when the world shakes a little. Playing her felt like stepping into the heart of a home.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: What do you think gives this classic tale such lasting emotional power?
TAMIKO ROBINSON STEELE: Honestly, it is the community. The story reminds us that we are never doing life alone, even when it feels like it. People show up for you in big and small ways, and that is what makes the world feel warm. I actually grew up knowing about the movie more than watching it, but the story has lived around me my whole life. You can feel why. Even without all the details, the heart of it is unmistakable. People lean toward it because it celebrates community. It reminds us that we matter to each other, that we lift one another up, and that our impact on the people around us is often bigger than we realize. Anything that centers hope and connection lasts because we need it.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: What is one of your personal favorite holiday traditions?
TAMIKO ROBINSON STEELE: Family time. My family is big and loud and wild in the best way. We cook way too much food, eat until our stomachs and hearts are full, laugh until we cry, and just soak up that joy. It is chaos and comfort all at once. That is Christmas for me.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: How does performing live on stage feed you differently than film and TV?
TAMIKO ROBINSON STEELE: The stage gives me an immediate spark. The audience breathes with you and you all experience the story at the same time. There is nothing like that. Film and TV feed me in a different way because those stories live longer and reach into more homes. I love the intimacy of the camera, but theater is magic you share in the moment, and that is a gift every single time.
RAPID FIRE WITH JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA, CLARENCE & OTHERS IN IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFEJHPENTERTAINMENT: When I heard you were playing Clarence, Uncle Billy et al, I may have let out an uncontrollable squee of delight! What’s been the biggest joy (and challenge) in shifting between these unlikely roles for you?
JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA: It’s A Wonderful Life is such a beloved classic, the opportunity to portray any of its characters brings a special sense of nostalgic wonder. One of the biggest challenges in this production/adaptation, is the quick costume changes/focus and timing. While most of the costume changes are very minimal, some of them are within seconds. Moments. This piece calls for intense mental focus. These ensemble tracks move quickly and precisely. It’s kind of dance like. The way scenes flow into the next, swriling around. A bit of a Christmas trance, if you will.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Your theatre credits are as varied as your roles in this show, but over the years you do seem to always include a seasonal show in the mix. What keeps you coming back to holiday storytelling?
JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA: I don’t think it would come as a surprise when I tell you it’s because I want glitter on everything! I love anything that is larger than life. Holiday shows are filled with spectacular visuals. Lush costumes, imaginative sets, twinkling lights, snowy effects. Illusion. Miracles even. I love magical things, and that “Anything Can Happen” feeling that comes with these types of shows. Also, there alway seems to be a deeper connection between the audience and the performers. There’s this instant connection and warmth from emotions, and cherished memories. I might be a bit of a romantic, but don’t go telling anyone! Stay cool. Be calm.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: You touched on this a bit already, but Clarence is such a whimsical and heartwarming figure — how are you approaching this guardian angel role in your own style?
JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA: Iconic roles are always tricky. I want nothing more than to honor the iconic nature of this beautiful character. My goal with this and any character I approach, is to play it with sincerity and emotinal truth. Something grounded and real, rather than a replication or imitation. Clarence is a goofy guy. Or in this sense, a young man. He has a good heart, and an exuberant love for life. He has a sense of adventure, and a taste for excitement. He might not be the brightest crayon in the box, but has the potential to light up the world. I want him to feel like you know him, or really want to. Maybe he bags your groceries at the grocery store. He’s the guy who throws your newspaper to your door, and breaks your flower pot every Wednesday. Maybe he’s the one that gets his bowl of cereal every morning, and when he takes the cap off the milk, he never screws it back on properly. He floods the kitchen floor every time. He’s messy, but he means well. I want audiences to genuinely roll their eyes a his silliness. But we know deep down, that one of these times he’s going to do the right thing, and all will be well.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Speaking of heartwarming, what warms your heart during the holidays?
JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA: I love spending time with my family. Gathering around the table for a delicious meal. I love waking up in loud Christmas pajamas, and spending a whole day in them. It’s cozying up on the couch with treats and silly movies. Doing absolutely nothing, but doing it together. It’s the quiet moments of stillness and reflection. Swimming in a cup of hot coca with enough whipped cream in it to float an elephant. Daydreaming of things I want to do. It’s my endless love for the Nutcracker Ballet, and the Tchaikovsky score. And naps. So many naps. It’s sitting by the window with my fur babies, festively ticking down the days until Halloween.
RAPID FIRE WITH EVE PETTY, VIOLET IN IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
JHPENTERTAINMENT: After several years working behind the scenes with Nashville Rep, how does it feel to step into the spotlight for your onstage debut — and in such a beloved holiday classic?
EVE PETTY: Nashville Repertory has been one of my favorite companies to work with behind the scenes over the years. I’ve loved watching the shows I’ve worked on from the wings, and now it feels amazing to step onto that same stage and be a part of the show in a new way.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Not only are you making your on-stage Nashville Rep debut, you’re also juggling several characters in this production — among them, the always entertaining Violet Bick— not gonna lie, Violet is one of my favorite characters in the show. What’s your favorite aspect of Violet, as you see her?
EVE PETTY: The other actors and I have talked about how Violet has been seen as almost a villain in the way that she comes between Mary and George. But the way I see her, she’s a girl going after a boy that she has liked all her life, just like Mary. I’ve liked discovering the similarities and differences between Violet and Mary’s characters and finding the depth within this flirty and forward character. Plus, who wouldn’t want people to say “Wow” when they walk across a stage 😉
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Since you’ve seen the Rep from both sides — backstage and onstage — what has surprised you most about the process this time around?
EVE PETTY: My brain still thinks very much in the way of how backstage runs and how to make the show smooth and efficient. It’s been a nice surprise to find that with this show, those skills are very much valued with how quickly the transitions come and go, taking us from scene to scene.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Just for fun…NOT counting It’s a Wonderful Life, what one movie or tv special truly signifies the start of the holiday season for you?
EVE PETTY: As a puppeteer, I love watching The Muppets Christmas Carol and imagining how fun it must have been to perform in that movie.
RAPID FIRE WITH IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE DIRECTOR, ALICIA LARK FUSSJHPENTERTAINMENT: It’s A Wonderful Life has such a cherished place in American culture — what inspired your vision for bringing this story to Nashville Rep’s stage?
ALICIA LARK FUSS: My husband and I watch the movie every year on New Year’s, so I am very familiar with it! As a cast and design team, we focused on the importance of community at the center of the story– it’s really about the way we take care of each other and how important that is. Focusing on the heart of the story gave us all a lens to create this beautiful adaptation.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: You have a background in theatre for young audiences — how does that perspective influence your approach to this family-centered holiday production?
ALICIA LARK FUSS: My approach to directing doesn’t change much based on the audience; I find I ask really similar questions when investigating a new script and thinking about how to approach it. However, TYA has given me lots of practice in scripts that move at a brisk pace with actors playing multiple roles, and that is VERY true of this play. There are many sequences where we jump time and place every page or so, and our ensemble cast plays something like 47 people between 9 actors.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: This adaptation by Catherine Bush is theatrical and imaginative — what moments in this version most surprised or delighted you in rehearsal?
ALICIA LARK FUSS: Watching our incredible actors create so many distinct characters has been a DELIGHT. We also worked with a fabulous movement coordinator, Megan Castleberry. She guided us through creating moments like the kids falling through the ice and George jumping from the bridge, and it was incredible to watch her build these sequences, representing the action in a highly theatrical way that leans into physical storytelling.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: What do you hope audiences take with them as they leave after seeing Nashville Rep’s It’s A Wonderful Lifethis holiday season?
ALICIA LARK FUSS: In rehearsals, I’ve seen the end of the show many, many times and I still get misty. My dream would be that audiences feel a deeper sense of connection to their loved ones, and a renewed hope for communities that lift up and take care of each other.
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Nashville Rep’s It’s A Wonderful Life brightens the holidays at TPAC‘s Polk Theatre December 5–21, with performances at 7:30pm Fridays and Saturdays and 2pm matinees Saturdays and Sundays. As this uplifting classic fills the theatre with heart, hope, and a reminder that every life touches countless others, there’s no better way to celebrate the season. Gather your loved ones, step into Bedford Falls, and experience the magic live onstage. CLICK HERE to secure your seats now.
Following It’s A Wonderful Life, Nashville Rep’s season continues in the new year with FAT HAM, James Ijames‘ Pulitzer Prize-winning reinvention of Hamlet, a co-production alongside Nashville Shakespeare Festival, onstage February 13-22, followed by the audience favorite SISTER ACT April 10-19. Closing out the season will be Amy Tofte‘s BLOOD SUCKING LEECH, as part of Nashville Rep‘s New Works: Next Stage, after having presented a staged reading of Tofte’s work just last season. CLICK HERE to purchase Season Tickets.
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