NATCHEZ — George Bailey needed $8,000 to pay off his uncle’s debt in the play, and movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and the youth group at Jefferson Street United Methodist Church is hoping the play will help them raise some money, too.

A group of 50 junior high and high school children will take the stage for the first time Wednesday and will perform each night, except Friday, through Sunday.

Wednesday and Thursday’s productions will begin at 6 p.m. and the weekend plays will start at 6:30 p.m.

The money raised through the production will be set aside for the youth group’s summer retreat, an annual trip taken at the end of July.

“Each summer trip costs us $20,000 to $22,000 and we have four fundraisers that help us raise that money,” said Jefferson Street youth group President Guy Wimberly.

Wimberly said the annual theatrical fundraiser has surpassed the money raised through the group’s fall fruit sale and now brings in the most money for the summer trip.

“(The fruit sale) has gone down in the past few years, and this one has come up,” he said.

Tickets for the dinner theater are on sale now and include dinner and dessert and the play. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for youth and $4 for children. Tickets can be reserved by calling the church at 601-442-3795.