Troupe to hold auditions for classic story

Elgin Theatre Company will hold auditions for "It's A Wonderful Life" from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26 to Monday, Sept. 27 on the fourth floor of the H. Ryder Center of the Elgin Academy, Kimball Street and Dundee Avenue in downtown Elgin. Enter via any door on any floor and take the stairs or elevator up to the fourth floor.

The directors are Jeffrey Small and Linda Collins.

The cast will be seven men, three women (any adult ages), two boys (age 12-16) and two girls (age 12-16). Actors will play multiple roles.

The performances will be 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19 and Saturday, Nov. 20, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21 at the Kimball Street Theatre in the H. Ryder Center of the Elgin Academy, Kimball Street and Dundee Avenue in Elgin.

The play is presented as a 1940s radio broadcast. The action takes place one Christmas Eve. The story is about an idealistic George Bailey, whose Uncle Billy accidentally misplaces company funds, George faces financial ruin and almost certain imprisonment. Seeing no way out, he runs to the bridge over the river, prepared to plunge to his death. Enter Clarence, George's lovable, bumbling guardian angel, who has come to Bedford Falls to prove to George that his life is worth living and to earn wings for himself. George is then given a chance to see how life in his town would have been had he never been born. His adventures and reactions make it one of the best holiday shows around.

Visit Elgin-theatre.org.