The cast of the radio show "It's a Wonderful Life," produced by Players de Noc, prepares Friday to record on stage at the Besse Theater at Bay College. The show will be broadcast on local radio Wednesday and Thursday, Christmas eve and Christmas Day. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

ESCANABA — Players de Noc, the theater troupe based in Escanaba, recently recorded a version of the classic holiday favorite, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” that will air on local radio on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” is a 1946 film directed by Frank Capra and based off the short story “The Greatest Gift” by Philip Van Doren Stern, who printed the work in 1943 and sent it to his friends as Christmas presents.

Played in the film version by Jimmy Stewart and in the local show by Pete Ammel, the main character, George Bailey, is a good-hearted young man who — despite his dreams to travel the world — ends up stuck in his hometown of Bedford Falls, New York, helping out others and dealing with a series of unpleasant circumstances.

Resentful, frustrated and in a tight spot after money is lost on Christmas eve, George is about to take his own life when he is visited by second-class angel Clarence, who shows him how much worse off Bedford Falls would be if George hadn’t been there.

To retell the story with an abridged script adapted for radio, Players de Noc’s Katherine LeDuc directed a cast of 32 voice actors and pianist Elizabeth Snyder. LeDuc performed sound effects and was aided by Lorraine Scott.

Starring in Players’ “It’s a Wonderful Life” alongside Ammel are Autumn Lark as Mary Hatch, Ernie Able as Clarence, Victoria Radke as the head angel, Phil Shields as antagonist Mr. Potter, and many more.

Sponsors for the production included Healthway Nutrition Store, Calumet Players, Skerbeck Entertainment, Richardson Jewelers, McDonald’s of Escanaba and Gladstone, Noc Bay Trading Company, Leigh’s Garden Winery and others.

The show was performed live at Besse Theater on the Bay College campus on Friday, Dec. 19. The auditorium was opened to an audience of the public at no charge; Players referred to it as the troupe’s “Christmas gift to the community.”

This week, the recording from that night will be aired twice for any who wish to tune in, thanks to Escanaba Radio Group. It will play on WDBC, found at 94.5 FM and AM 680, at 4 p.m. Eastern time Dec. 24 and at 1 p.m. Eastern time Dec. 25.

“Wrapped in vintage radio charm, warm voices, and even live commercials, this is a chance to set aside the noise, the lists, the expectations — and reflect on what the season is really about: connection, kindness, gratitude, and hope,” Players de Noc wrote of the production.