ROCHELLE — “You see, George, you’ve really had a wonderful life. Don’t you see what a mistake it would be to throw it all away?” — Clarence the angel.

“It’s a Wonderful Life, a Live Radio Play,” the winter Vince Carney Community Theatre dinner show opens Friday, Dec. 8 and chronicles the life of George Bailey as he considers ending his own life one fateful Christmas Eve. It isn’t until Clarence the angel helps George realize just how many people’s lives he touches.

Although many have seen the 1940s holiday classic on television, the VCCT adaptation gives the audience a chance to see behind the scenes in the studio during a radio broadcast.

The cast for this show includes Gary Petersen, Kenzie Lara, Zachary Crabtree, Alexander Cremeans, Jim Mitchell, Vicky Wren, Vicky Martinez, Tom Houghton, Alyssa Schwanert, Taylor Olson, Rosa Quitno, and Doug Kroupa.

Kimberly Ekes is the director for the show, which runs for three performances in Paddock Hall at the Hickory Grove Convention Center. Dean Wren is the assistant director.

On Friday, Dec. 8, guests are invited to attend the dinner and show, beginning at 7 p.m. Dinner includes a vegetarian option. Tickets are $40.

On Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. is a show only for $12 per person. Full tables of 8 seats can be purchased for $80. Cash bar is available.

Sunday, Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. is a luncheon and show. Price of $30 includes buffet luncheon with lasagna, fettucine alfredo, salad, breadsticks, and dessert.

Ekes, who has directed nearly 20 performances, said the decision to direct again came after last year’s dinner and radio play, “A Christmas Carol,” was a hit. Along with Abraham’s owner, Robin Gounaris, Ekes said the pair came up with the dinner theater idea.

“After it going so well and being so fun, we instantly knew we’d want to do it again this year, and hopefully for many years to come,” Ekes said.

Radio shows in the early 20^th century

Picture life before television; families and neighbors would eagerly gather around the radio listening to a favorite program. Listening to stories provided a distraction to life’s hardships and provided a valuable social outlet.

Cast members at the VCCT performance will recreate the days of live radio broadcasts, complete with sound effects. Gary Petersen, the voice of George Bailey, is no stranger to the character, performing Bailey in a play several years ago. Petersen reflected on the character and how it could be the story of anyone’s life.

“George, he’s got this wonderful life but he doesn’t realize it, and he’s thinking of doing the ultimate — taking God’s greatest gift and throwing it away, thinking he’s more valuable dead than alive,” Petersen said. “Then he’s visited by this Godly angel, who is quite a character in his own right who forces him to see when he’s not around. It opens his eyes just as it would everybody, no matter how unimportant they might feel.”

Ekes said the original live radio performance must have been exciting to see. The moral of the story is impactful for those who see it live or on television.

“What I take from the story itself, and I hope others find inspiration from George Bailey’s lesson of every person’s life is like a stone being thrown in a pond…even if you don’t make a big splash, the ripples go out and touch everything around you,” Ekes said. “The whole production has been a lot of fun so far, and though it’s been a short rehearsal period, the cast and crew have been amazing. I hope they take away good memories and lessons.”

Tickets

Tickets are available by visiting the VCCT website at www.vcctrochelle.org/its-a-wonderful-life.html. Click on the “get tickets” box. All tickets must be purchased online as no tickets will be sold at the door.