Wind tore through Whidbey last week sending chills down people’s spines and leaving many locals in darkness. Winter’s frozen grasp is quickly closing in, temperatures are dropping and nights are getting longer. It’s the time of year when people don’t dare venture outside without hats, gloves, scarves and coats to protect against the ever looming and bitter cold. It’s the time of year when people are desperately seeking out a solid source of the infamous warm fuzzies.

Now it’s easy to reach for a second, third or fourth steaming Peppermint Mocha day after day, but is that really the best option for pocketbooks and thighs? No, no, islanders, this holiday season there is a better way to soak in the warmth of the season, and it’s waiting just behind the Playhouse doors.

This winter, the Whidbey Playhouse presents the Christmas classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” directed by Linda Walbeck. As many know, “It’s a Wonderful Life” tells the story of George Bailey, a family man and Bedford Falls native who finds himself facing serious money troubles on Christmas Eve. When there seems to be no solution in sight, George thinks of committing suicide just as his guardian angel, Clearance Odbody A-S-2, decides to intervene. Clarence walks George through his past and shows him the lives he has touched and the differences he’s made in the town in a final attempt to earn his wings.

Oak Harbor resident Jim Ortuba plays George Bailey and said watching the famous film starring Jimmy Stewart helped him prepare for his role.

“I’ve seen it almost too many times,” he said. “The script follows the movie pretty well, but this is live theater which is always more exciting than a screen.”

The cast does an excellent job of bringing the story to life by developing the intimate and loving relationships between the characters. Though the stage remains mostly prop free for the majority of the production, the audience members are able to not only picture the small Bedford Falls community, but to feel its small town charm.

Fil Baca, who plays Clarence, said he’s having fun working with the other actors and that others would enjoy the play because it allows people to reminisce about their childhoods.

Walbeck thinks the play is a must see because people can relate to George’s struggle.

“This play was set in the 1940s when times were tough,” she said. “And what are times today? Tough.”

This is the fifth time Walbeck has served as a director for a Playhouse production, and it’s her first time working with such a large cast.

Six little girls will each get to play Janie Bailey, and four girls are cast as Zuzu Bailey, George’s daughters. Walbeck said that as a grandmother, she couldn’t stand to turn any of the children away during auditions.

“It really makes it community theater,” she said.

The play opens the day after Thanksgiving on Nov. 26 and closes Dec. 19. Tickets are $16 and are available to purchase now.

Call the box office at 360-679-2237 for show dates, group discounts and reservations. For more information, visit www.whidbeyplayhouse.com.