Great Bend Community Theatre is talking Christmas in July as it announces the sale of season tickets for 2011-12. Artistic Director/Manager Sally O’Connor said the family friendly season will include the holiday show "It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play."

All plays are presented at the Crest Theater, 1905 Lakin Ave. in Great Bend.

The famous Christmas movie will be presented Dec. 1-4 as a 1940s live radio show that the whole family can watch and listen to.

O’Connor, who is directing "It’s a Wonderful Life," said many radio studios in the 1940s had performance halls, and that will be the setting for the performance. "I think visually it will be entertaining," she said. "Each actor will probably have more than one role, with different voices." The audience will also watch the actors create sound effects.

"Guess how we will make the splash when Clarence jumps into the river, hopefully without getting the actors or the audience wet."

During the show, the cast will be reading real radio ads for modern-day businesses, presented in a 1940s style.

Heavy handed material isn’t in the GBCT lineup this year. "It’s a Wonderful Life" will be sandwiched between two comedies that O’Connor said would probably be "rated PG."

The first GBCT production of the new season will be "Don’t Talk to the Actors," which will be directed by Ken Harton and performed Oct. 6-9. This comedy that captures backstage mayhem has been called "drop-dead, scream-out-loud, tear-wrenchingly funny."

The third and final show of the season is "Messiah on the Frigidaire," directed by Chris Curtright and performed April 19-22, 2012. "This story takes place in a southern trailer park where there is a possible miraculous appearance," O’Connor said. "I laughed out loud as I read the script and saw how the characters reacted. I’m sure (the audience will) enjoy this funny show as well."

Season tickets will be mailed in September, which is about a month earlier than usual, O’Connor said. Tickets are also sold at each performance, but season ticket holders get the best seats and at least four newsletters a year.

"Tickets are only $25 for three shows. We’d spend more than that at the movies or an athletic event, so I think you’ll agree it’s a great entertainment value," she said. "This is terrific entertainment in Great Bend, Kan., at a good price."

GBCT also accepts donations. "We know the times are tight, but it looks like each community is going to be responsible for supporting their own arts programs, and GBCT has such a wonderful history of presenting quality shows that we hate to see it diminished in any way," O’Connor said.