An old classic with a new twist will punctuate the holiday season as presented by the Butler Little Theatre.

“It's a Wonderful Life — A Radio Play” by Joe Landry opens Nov. 23 at the theater at One Howard St.

The play brings to the stage all the nostalgia of the Frank Capra original film but with a few twists.

The entire cast consists of only five actors who are doing the show via the radio.

The watershed role of George Bailey is being filled by Stefan Lingenfelter of Butler Township.

“Playing a role that is significantly iconic makes the show extremely challenging,” said Lingenfelter.

Because George Bailey is known to just about everyone, and is constantly quoted and imitated and most of all beloved, Lingenfelter has his work cut out for him.

“The approach is to make it my own and not stand up there doing an impression of Jimmy Stewart. It's not as easy it sounds,” he said.

He auditioned for the show because he loved the concept and was eager to work with director Phil Ball.

“We've had many long conversations about theatre, and it's always great to work with someone who can not only talk the talk, but walk the walk,” Lingenfelter said.

In the role of Mary Bailey is Katy Closkey Wayne of Butler.

She said, “While this is the same story you will remember from the movie, it is delightful to experience it from the perspective of a 'radio audience' with live sound effects and amazing character voices from just a handful of actors.

“It has been great fun to hear one actor perform a dialogue between two characters,” Wayne added.

She also has enjoyed the opportunity not only to act but also to perform live sound effects, a staple of this show.

Specializing in sound effects and performing the voices of all other female leads including George Bailey's mother and sister-in-law, among other characters, is Stephanie Kobil, who said she enjoys watching the movie each year as a Christmas tradition.

“It's always a challenge to move between multiple characters in a show. Typically this is done with different costumes and body movements, as well as voice. In this show the variation between the characters is done with voice changes mostly,” Kobil said.

She gravitated to the audition because she was intrigued with the idea of bringing this story to life as a radio show.

“It's a unique way to perform on a stage,” she said.

Butler's own famous voice master, Jerry Johnston, will be playing the characters of the announcer, Mr. Potter, Uncle Bill and the head angel to name just a few.

“I went to the Mel Blanc School of Commercial Voice so I loved the challenge of trying to create something to differentiate the characters,” explained Johnston.

He also was compelled to try out because of the radio concept, which he has a great affinity for.

“I remember as a kid listening on Sunday nights to WLS in Chicago in the late '50s when they produced radio dramas with the movie stars of the day like Jeff Chandler and Glenn Ford and Liz Taylor, and I spent many years in radio so I am attracted to those elements,” Johnston noted.

Also starring in the show is Jud Michael Stewart as the rest of male voices, including the beloved angel, Clarence.

<B>WHO:</B> Butler Little Theatre<B>WHAT: </B>“It's a Wonderful Life — A Live Radio Play”<B>WHEN: </B>Nov. 23 to Dec. 1. Curtain is 8:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.<B>WHERE: </B>Butler Little Theatre, One Howard St.<B>TICKETS: </B>$10, available by calling 724-287-6781 between 7 and 9 p.m. weekdays and during performances.<B>INFO: </B>www.bltgroup.org