The beloved classic story of George Bailey has been newly adapted to the stage with a fresh take that honors the original's deeply moving and passionate message. Adapted by Jason LeBlanc from the film by Frank Capra, " It's a Wonderful Life " is based on the story " The Greatest Gift " by Philip Van Doren Stern. ' The Greatest Gift ' is used by permission of The Greatest Gift Corporation. PLEASE NOTE: This is a stage script, which requires a royalty to perform. Purchase of this script is for perusal and literature purposes only, and cannot be used to produce performances unless the proper royalty has been paid . Play Synopsis: " When $8,000 goes missing in 1945, George Bailey contemplates whether his friends and family would be better off without him. Clarence, an Angel-Second Class who hasn’t yet earned his wings, is assigned as George’s Guardian Angel. With only an hour to learn everything about George before being sent to Earth, Clarence watches George’s life unfold through a series of vignettes highlighting the most important points in his life. When Clarence arrives, George refuses the angel's help and instead wishes he had never been born. Determined to help him, Clarence temporarily grants his request, and shows George what the world would be like without him. In disbelief, George tries to return to his life – only to discover the horrifying truth of a world without him. As George tries to grasp with this new terrifying reality, he finally learns the angel's lesson and wishes his old life back. ”