“It’s a Wonderful Life” A live radio play

7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 8-10, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 10-11.

Olympic Theatre Arts, 414 N. Sequim Ave.

Tickets $12 at http://olympictheatrearts.org/ or the door

For more information, call 683-7326or visit box office 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday

One of the most beloved Christmas stories comes to Olympic Theatre Arts’ stage for one week only.

Teachers, singers, students, artists, realtors and more bring the voices and sounds to life for “It’s a Wonderful Life” as a live radio play for five shows Dec. 8-11.

Director Olivia Shea says this version is similar to the popular Jimmy Stewart movie classic except the audience becomes viewers of a New York radio station on Christmas Eve 1946.

Inside, live actors deliver the lines for “It’s a Wonderful Life” along with organ music from LeRoy Davidson, sound effects from Sean Clark and Karen Pritchard as Foley sound effects actors, and commercial breaks by the Jingle Bells — Cheryl Di Pietro, Pritchard and Penny Pemberton.

Shea said the plan was to do a simpler, Second Stage production with only a handful of people on stage but interest was really high.

“So many people tried out I said let’s get as many people as we can in it,” she said. “I knew they’d really like it.”

The play features everyone you’d expect such as George Bailey, played by Keith Curtis, Mary Bailey (Peggy Campos-Roman) and Clarence (Dave McInnes).

Also taking the stage are seasoned stage veterans and newcomers including Jayna Orchard, Ingrid Nixon, Sally and Kent Welborn, Sean Clark, Matthew Rainwater, Peggy Campos-Roman and Dan DePrez. Taylor Sebring works double duty both back stage as stage manager and on stage as well in the same role. Jennifer Horton also serves as production manager.

Shea said their production brings the audience in as part of the show with applause signs lighting up, too.

In-between scenes are commercials Shea wrote for the Jingle Bells to sing to help create the aura of a real radio drama.

Shows are expected to sell out since “It’s a Wonderful Life” runs only one week so as to leave performance time the following week for Sequim Ballet’s performances of “The Nutcracker.” Ticket-goers are encouraged to buy tickers in advance.

Reach Olympic Theatre Arts, 414 N. Sequim Ave. at www.olympictheatrearts.org or call 683-7326.

Sean Clark and Karen Pritchard, Foley sound effects actors, recreate noises for the live radio play “It’s a Wonderful Life” from Dec. 8-11 at Olympic Theatre Arts Center.

The Jingle Bells, from left, Cheryl Di Pietro, Karen Pritchard and Penny Pemberton, perform commercial breaks written by director Olivia Shea in-between scenes of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a live radio play. Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash