Ira David Wood III is finishing his 50-year run in a timeless Triangle tradition, "A Christmas Carol"

Tonight, "A Christmas Carol" begins its 50-year at performance at DPAC in Durham. This will be Ira David Wood III's last show after creating it and playing Scrooge since he was 27. His son will be taking over the role. My guest today is Mark Olexik, a WRAL photographer and a talented actor who dreamed of being in the play when he first saw it as a little boy. That dream eventually came true. His interview is a true testament to a magical show that has become a timeless Triangle holiday tradition.

The WRAL Daily Download is an in-depth conversation about a single news story. WRAL covers news across North Carolina every day, but this podcast focuses on one story at a time, bringing context to each conversation. The in-depth, localized podcast takes you into the latest stories from Raleigh, Durham, and the entire Triangle region on North Carolina. This is community news aimed at keeping you informed about the more subtle stories that are happening around you. Hosted by WRAL News journalists, episodes post weekdays by 4:30am.