'It's a Wonderful District' touts Pittsburgh's Cultural District and beloved Capra film
Downtown Pittsburgh without its Cultural District?
"It's a Wonderful District," the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's new holiday film, explores that nightmare scenario with an affectionate homage to Frank Capra's iconic "It's a Wonderful Life."
The six-minute film, released Dec. 20, opens with trust President and CEO Kevin McMahon (played by Connor McCanlus) reading a magazine article that omits Pittsburgh from a list of America's best cultural districts.
In disgust and despair, McMahon tosses the magazine away and says he wishes the district had never been created.
Up pops Clarence — er, Arty (the Cultural Trust's logo personified) — who gives McMahon his wish and ... well, you can guess the rest.
It's A Wonderful District from The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust on Vimeo .
Gone are McMahon's tickets for a show at the Benedum Center. The Harris Theater reverts to a seedy, adult film house. Theater Square is a dingy vacant lot.
Rest assured, though. All's well that ends well.
"It can be easy to forget the widespread impact made by the Trust's decades-long presence in Downtown Pittsburgh," says writer Seth Culp-Ressler in an article on the Trust's website . "What was once a seedy, run-down stretch of adult theaters, strip clubs and sex shops is now a vibrant center for culture, art, food and community. A red light district no more, Pittsburgh's Cultural District now stands as a nationwide model for how the arts can play a pivotal role in urban revitalization.
"While the film was certainly an excuse to have a bit of fun, we rooted each scene as much as possible in the history of both Pittsburgh and the Cultural Trust. At the same time, we strove to stay as faithful as possible to the original 'It's a Wonderful Life' script," Culp-Ressler writes.
The 15-member cast included professionals from greater Pittsburgh and Arcade Comedy, trust employees and others. The behind-the-camera crew numbered 16.
The majority of the piece was filmed in one night, starting at 8:30 p.m. and wrapping the next morning at 6 a.m.
Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-836-5750, smcmarlin@tribweb.com or via Twitter @shirley_trib.
