It's a Wonderful Life, Musica Vitae!, and Duke Ellington

Fri - Film

It's a Wonderful Life is the original midlife crisis movie, with Jimmy Stewart trapped by career, mortgage, and marriage. Despite Frank Capra's postwar optimism about the bountiful promise of the suburbs, you still can't shake off George's dark vision of reality. 6 and 8:30 p.m. Fri., Dec. 16–Thurs., Dec. 29. $5–$7.50. Grand Illusion Cinema, 1403 N.E. 50th St., 206-523-3935, www.grandillusioncinema.org. BRIAN MILLER

Sat - Cabaret

Forget the Fountain of Youth—Musica Vitae! (the Music of Life) offers the same benefits in this dance-filled revival of David Koch and David Scully's cabaret show at the swanky Century Ballroom. 6 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. show Saturdays through Feb. 18. $25–$60. Century Ballroom, 915 E. Pine St., 206-324-7263, www.centuryballroom.com. SANDRA KURTZ

Sat - Music

Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra presents the annual Duke Ellington's Sacred Music Concert. "There is no language God does not understand," Ellington famously said—and music, he meant, was foremost among them. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 17. $21–$26. University Christian Church, 4731 15th Ave. N.E., 206-628-0888, www.earshotjazz.org. MICHAELANGELO MATOS