PRINCETON — Festival 56 will once again present the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” as a radio play. This special community event takes place Dec. 8 at the Grace Performing Arts Center, 316 S. Main St., Princeton. The show will be broadcast live over WZOE. Doors open at 1 p.m. for pre-show musical entertainment, followed by the live broadcast at 2 p.m.

As in previous years, the cast will be local community members. Participating this year will be Brandon Behrens, Heartland Bank commercial banking officer; Dr. Paul Bonucci, Princeton Prompt Care owner; Jay Schneider, Apollo Theater co-owner and manager; Rex Conger, Perry Memorial Hospital CEO; Terri Simon, Bureau County Republican editor; Kim Frey, Princeton Chamber of Commerce director; Bob Davidson, Centrue Bank investments manager; Dick Dorsch, retired dentist and veteran local actor; Keith Cain, mayor of Princeton; Terry Madsen, Princeton city commissioner; Tim Harris, Capital Agricultural Property Services manager/broker; Mick Henneberry, Bureau County public defender; Steve Gunning, Bureau County assistant public defender; and Mary Phillips, co-founder of Festival 56 and Princeton Public Library board member. A special guest performer will be Dexter Brigham Sr., father of Festival 56 executive artistic director Dexter Brigham.

Emily Stover, Princeton Elementary School District music teacher, directs the pre-show musical entertainment. Dave Roden, local actor and director and veteran Festival 56 cast member, directs the radio play. Emily Olson and Alex Biggs, students at Princeton High School, will provide sound effects. Festival 56 artistic director Dexter Brigham will emcee the show and broadcast.