The time is Christmas Eve. The place is Bedford Falls. And the play is a Frank Capra's classic that has become a holiday tradition.

When the new red velvet curtains open on this year's production of "It's a Wonderful Life," the audience will be transported to an earlier, if not simpler, time.

Alex Bobbyn plays George Bailey, the center of the action. Trapped by a series of circumstances beginning with the death of his father, Bailey faces his demons and eventually comes to appreciate his very ordinary life.

"George thinks his life in Bedford Falls is meaningless at first but by the end of the play he realizes if he wouldn't have been born, he would never have had a huge impact on the people of his home town," Bobbyn explained.

"George could be a little bit moody and as a couple [in the play] we've had a lot of ups and downs," said Amy Lebrecht, who stars as Mary Bailey, George's wife. "[But] in the play, I've loved George all along.

"George did so much for so many people. The play makes us realize we've all done so many things in our lifetime that affect others."

George Haddad plays Peter Bailey, George's father, who dies early in the play.

"George has definitely sacrificed a lot," Haddad said. "He put his brother through college but he didn't go himself.

"He wanted to go to Europe when he was young but he felt like he should take care of things at home. He helped out a lot of people."

If there is a villain in the play, it has to be Mr. Potter.

"I'm not used to being a mean person, so it's interesting for me to play him," said sophomore Quentin Bernhard who plays Potter.

"I'll be in a wheelchair, so I have to be even more animated with my arms and facial expressions.

"I watched the movie a couple of times to understand the character.

"George stands up to Mr. Potter, who is always trying to taunt him and break him down.

"Mr. Potter is so mean he tells George he's worth more dead than alive."

Brad Stuby plays George Bailey's guardian angel, Clarence, who is out to earn his wings.

"When George wishes he was never born, I grant him that wish," Stuby said. "This allows him to reflect on how important each person is."

Clarence is a fairly unassuming angel.

"I'm not out to be some special dude but I think it's a waste for George to throw his life away," Stuby said.

Devon Devers play's George's Uncle Billy,

"He is a father figure, prone to drinking, loving but foolish, and one of the partners in the Bailey Building and Loan Company," said Devers. "George gets angry at me when I lose $8,000. He puts up with me throughout the play, though."

According to Director Bill Mutimer, the idea to choose "It's a Wonderful Life" came from some of the seniors.

"So I said, 'Yeah let's look at it.' I didn't want to do a Christmas show in November, so I had to ask for a change in the production date right off."

Other adaptations had to be made as well.

Mutimer said there is no play version of "It's a Wonderful Life," so he approached a friend who is a writer.

"He altered the story and made new adaptations for us," Mutimer said. "The musical version of the story only accommodates nine actors. I have 50 people in the show [but] the story is still very similar to the movie."

"It's kind of cool we're putting a new spin on it," Lebrecht said. "The play is all about appreciating what you have. It's a very well known story."

For this production, Mutimer is pleased to have the help of Brianna Pritchard, who has been teaching English at the high school since the beginning of the year.

"I'll be behind the scenes working with the stage crew," she explained. "In high school, I was the stage manager."

Bailey Muhl and Mayra Rodriguez share the job of stage manager for this production.

"I like the people in the play," Muhl said. "We're all one big, happy family."

Mutimer also relies on the parents of the cast and considers them invaluable.

"The dads are going to build the sets, led by Alex's [Bobbyn] father."

George Haddad's father is also working on the sets.

"My father loves drama and he's very supportive," Haddad said.

Both Brooke Novotnak and Dustin Dever's moms are working with costumes, as well as Bailey Muhl's grandmother, known to all as "Grandma Sue."

"The drama club is selling poinsettias, which will be used to decorate the stage before making their way home to grace table and hearth for the holiday season," Mutimer said.

There are some surprises Mutimer was reluctant to reveal.

"It's an all-age show," he said. "It's got a wonderful Christmas message that reminds us to enjoy all the gifts we have. We all have wonderful lives if we stop looking at the negative and start looking at the positive."

"My Dad and I watch it every Christmas," said Jenny Von Holt, who plays the role of Ruth Bailey, George's sister-in-law. "It's a great story and my dad is really excited to see it."

"It's going to be a really nice opening to the Christmas season," Bobbyn said. "It's such a good story. The audience is really going to enjoy it."

The show will be presented 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 6 and 7 in the high school auditorium. Tickets may be purchased at the door, starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.