The drama students of St. Aloysius High School will present a radio rendition of the classic 1946 play “It’s a Wonderful Life” for their second annual Christmas dinner theater. Last year, the group presented “A Christmas Carol.”

“This year, we decided on ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ but it’s much like ‘A Christmas Carol,’” said Wayne Seitz, English and drama teacher and show director. “The show will be set in 1948 at a CBS studio broadcasting over a radio station.”

He said sound effects will be made by the students on stage as if the story was being told over the radio.

The performance will feature 14 students playing multiple roles to complete the 35 roles in the play. Dinner will be provided by Goldie’s Express, but served by the students while in costume during intermission periods.

Senior Andrew Gravens will play the lead role of George Bailey, and sophomore Morgan Teller and senior Marie Booth will both share the part of Bailey’s wife, Mary Hatch Bailey, one for each day of the performance.

Junior Clay West Huddleston will play the part of Clarence Odbody, the angel assigned to save George Bailey, and senior Luke Burnett will play the role of the cold-hearted Henry F. Potter.

Andrew, 18, is the son of Mark and Charlene Gravens; Morgan, 15, is the daughter of Blake and Stacey Teller; Marie, 17, is the daughter of Bubba and Anna Booth; Clay, 17, is the son of Clay West Huddleston III and Stacy and Staci Plunk; and Luke, 18, is the son of Robert and Clare Burnett.

The show will start at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Main Street.

Cost is $20 per person and $15 for St. Al students.

Theater-goers can look forward to an annual holiday production from the school’s drama department as Seitz said, “This is going to become a tradition.”

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If you go

The St. Al drama department’s radio production of “It’s a Wonderful Life” is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1512 Main St. Cost is $20 per person and $15 for St. Al students.

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Contact Manivanh Chanprasith at mchan@vicksburgpost.com