Paul McCartney adapting 'It's a Wonderful Life' into a musical

Paul McCartney is adapting Frank Capra’s 1946 Christmastime classic It’s A Wonderful Life into a stage musical. He’s writing the music and collaborating on the lyrics with Tony Award winning playwright and screenwriter writer Lee Hall (Rocketman, Billy Elliot), who is also writing the book. British theatre/film/television vet Bill Kenwright, who has dreamed of turning Capra’s film into a musical for decades, is producing. “Like many of these things this all started with an email,” says Paul. “Bill had asked if it was something I might be up for. Writing a musical is not something that had ever really appealed to me but Bill and I met up with Lee Hall and had a chat and I found myself thinking this could be interesting and fun. ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ is a universal story we can all relate to.”

Adds Hall, “It’s A Wonderful Life is my favourite film. It has absolutely everything comedy, pathos and a rare humanity which has touched generation after generation. Yet it just couldn’t be more relevant. To give it a life on the stage is an immense privilege in itself but to do with Paul McCartney is off the scale. Paul’s wit, emotional honesty and melodic brilliance brings a whole new depth and breadth to the classic tale. I feel as if an angel must be looking after me.” Paul and Hall are still finishing up the songs but It’s a Wonderful Life is set to launch in late 2020.

Meanwhile, Paul just wrapped up the North American leg of his Freshen Up tour and the final show featured a surprise appearance from Ringo.