WBFO Presents: It’s a Wonderful Life
A radio-play production of Buffalo Toronto Public Media
Based on the radio play by Philip Grecian
and on the film by Frank Capra
In collaboration with the Niagara University Theater Department, Buffalo Toronto Public Media presents “It’s a Wonderful Life” radio play, recorded live in its studios. This project brings back the “old-school” feel of a live radio play, complete with a studio audience, voice actors, and Foley sound effects.
Radio plays originated in the 1920s and rose to their peak popularity in the 1940s. Many households relied on their radios to get live news and entertainment rather than reading newspapers or novels. After much research, a radio-play adaptation of the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” was chosen. It tells the story of George Bailey, who has given up on his personal dreams to help others in his community, and just when he needs it, he learns about his positive impact on the lives of everyone around him.
As a creative nod to public broadcasting, satirical promotional announcements will be performed by BTPM staff members as “commercials” during the breaks in the show, just like they did with traditional radio dramas. Recently retired local All Things Considered host, Mark Wozniak, will play the announcer in the performance and Niagara University students will fill all the other roles.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” is made possible by our members and Mr. Goodbar — your home for the holidays on Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, and Miracle Method. Additional funding was provided in memory of Pam Mulac.
Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.
Place: Bedford Falls, and, for a few horrible hours, Pottersville. Somewhere in New York State.
Time: Before, during, and just after World War II
Cast:
GEORGE BAILEY ……….. Hayden Carr
CARTER/JOE/MARTY …. Miguel Castañeda
HARRY BAILEY/ BERT THE COP/ WELCH ….Kyle Dempsey
UNCLE BILLY/ FREDDIE/ CHAIRMAN …Devin Klumpp
JOSEPH/ SAM WAINWRIGHT/ SHERIFF/ NICK …Alex Sylvester
MR. POTTER/ MARTINI/ TOM …Primo Thomas
MR. GOWER/ ERNIE BISHOP/ MICKEY …Jeremy Vicario
CLARENCE …Lauren Farrow
TILLY/ MRS. HATCH/ YOUNG HARRY …Brianna Garcia
MRS. BAILEY/ HORTENSE THE TELLER/ YOUNG GEORGE …Olivia Kane
YOUNG MARY/ MRS. DAVIS/ JANIE BAILEY …Callie Maddox
MARY HATCH-BAILEY …Abbey Mylock
MRS. THOMPSON/POTTER’S SECRETARY/ TOMMY BAILEY …Anessa Preteroti
VIOLET/ RUTH DAKIN-BAILEY/ PETER BAILEY …Keirsten Thomas
YOUNG VIOLET/ ZUZU …Cate Youngers
Foley Artists:
Ryan Henneberger (Director)
Tom Berich
Emily Gendron
Matt Hitch
Patrick Kelly
Ron Reynolds
Marc Smith
Music/Pianist:
James Welch
WATCH | It's a Wonderful Life...for a Foley Artist
WATCH | It's a Wonderful Life...A Director's Perspective
CAST BIOS
HAYDEN CARR (George Bailey) is a junior from Grand Island, NY, pursuing a BFA in Theater Performance. Theater Experience: Niagara University Theatre: Sondheim Tribute Revue (Ensemble), NURT 2023 (Ensemble), A Gentleman’s Guide To Love And Murder (Featured Ensemble), Cabaret (Hans/Max/ Heir Schultz Understudy) St. Stephen's Parish Players: Mary Poppins (Bert), Hello Dolly (Ensemble), The Wizard of Oz (Ensemble), Beauty and the Beast (Ensemble). Offstage Experience: Miss Cathy's Dance Academy: Tap, Jazz, Musical Theater, Hip Hop; Shea's Camp Broadway The Next Step.
MIGUEL CASTAÑEDA (Carter/Joe/Marty) is a sophomore from the Philippines pursuing a Theatre Performance major through the NU Honors Program. Previously, he has worked with the Broadway Theatre Troupe of Ateneo: Between Lands (Co-director / Jhemee), Broadway on Shuffle: Vol. 3 (Music Director). Other Outside credits: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Barfée). Sending much love back home. Lipad!
KYLE DEMPSEY(Harry Bailey/Bert the Cop/Welch, a senior from West Seneca, NY, is pursuing a theatre performance major. NU credits: She Kills Monsters (Great Mage Steve).
LAUREN FARROW (she/her) (Clarence) From Rochester, N.Y., Lauren is currently in her junior year pursuing her theatre performance major with a minor in design and production at Niagara University. NU credits: Fun Home (Alison), ART (Serge), and Peter and the Starcatcher (Betty Bumbrake). Outside credits: Macbeth (Macduff) and New Works Play Festival (Lane) at the Powerhouse Theatre, The Addams Family (Morticia) and Anything Goes (Charity). Lauren would like to give a special thanks to her parents for always supporting her crazy endeavors.
BRIANNA GARCIA (Tilly/Mrs. Hatch/Young Harry), a sophomore from Lockport, NY, is pursuing a double major in Theatre Performance and Psychology, with a minor in Spanish through the NU Honors Program. Outside credits; The Great Gatsby (Daisy Buchanan), 42nd Street, Young Frankenstein, Joseph... Dreamcoat at the Historic Palace Theatre. Other: Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife), Radium Girls (Kathryn Schaub), Godspell (Turn Back O’ Man), Hello Dolly! (Minnie Fay), CLUE (Yvette). Previous summer; Lake Plain’s Players “The State of the Arts Cabaret”, and Starring Buffalo’s Hello Dolly. Brianna attended NYSSMA Conference All State Vocal Jazz and NYSSSA’s Drama Program, and was nominated for a Kenny Award.
OLIVIA KANE (Mrs. Bailey/Hortense the Teller/Young George) of Wilson, NY, is a senior theater and performing arts major. Her roles in high school included Guys and Dolls (Mission Band/Agatha), Legally Blonde (Serena), The Addams Family (Wednesday), Bye Bye Birdie (Nancy/Mrs.McAfee), Beehive: The 60s Musical (Wanda). Her roles at Niagara University include An Ideal Husband (Mrs. Marchmont), Emma: The Musical (Mrs. Elton), Machinal (stenographer/bartender/lawyer for prosecution/barber), Measure for Measure (Isabella) and Fun Home (Helen). Offstage credits: An Ideal Husband (dramaturg), Dance Theatre: Moving Back Home (wardrobe crew), and Cabaret (prop acquisition), Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (stage manager), and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (light board operator).
DEVIN KLUMPP (Uncle Billy/Freddie/Chairman) is a Junior Performance Theatre major at Niagara University. Most recent professional credits include: Declan (American Idiot) with Belissima, Assistant Technical Director for Shakespeare in Delaware Park, Sammy (Sunset Boulevard), Stormtrooper/ASM (Wicket) *Artie Nominated*, and Build Crew (Chicago) with O’Connell and Company, Build Crew (Snowy Day) with Theatre of Youth. Past Niagara credits include: Charles Bingley (Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberly), Orange (NURT), Jitter (Musical of Musicals), Victor (Cabaret). Devin is excited to see what this academic year has to offer!
CALLIE MADDOX (Young Mary/Mrs. Davis/Janie Bailey), a freshman from Sanborn, NY, is pursuing a Theatre Studies Major. Outside credits: At Teal’s Niagara Theatre, Rock of Ages (Lead Guitarist), Annie (Dog Catcher). At Starpoint High School, The Little Mermaid (Ensemble), Newsies (Ensemble), The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Mrs. Irving), Something Rotten (Nostradamus). At Niagara Amusement Park and Splash World in the entertainment department (Rosie Dunn Cowgirl/Outlaw).
ABIGAIL MYLOCK (Mary Hatch-Bailey, a senior from Dover Plains, NY, is pursuing a Theatre performance and Communications major with a minor in Film. International Credits: Rosalind, in As You Like It (London) NU Credits: Measure for Measure (Elbow and Mariana) Machinal (Telephone girl, and other ensemble) Decision Height (Rosalie) She Kills Monsters (Evil Gabby), Short Play Festival (Stage Manager for Drinks before Flights) and Short Play Festival: Director (The Faint Taste of Cat Food and Sour Milk) Outside Credits: Film Turn Up The Night (Extra) Short Film (To Know a Veil, Tiffany). Offstage Credits: Theatre Promotional Video and film intern with Brian Rock.
ANESSA PRETEROTI (Mrs. Thompson/Potter’s secretary/ Tommy Bailey), a sophomore from Pittsburgh, P.A. is pursuing a theatre performance major with minors in theatre design/production and ASL. NU credits: Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberly (wardrobe crew), Everybody (assistant stage manager). Outside credits: Xanadu (featured dancer), Pippin (ensemble), The Little Mermaid (Alana), The Wizard of Oz (Glinda), Fiddler on the Roof (Avram), Beauty and the Beast (ensemble), Annie (orphan), Anything Goes (assistant director). Anessa also has experience working for the Walt Disney Company’s Entertainment Costuming as part of the Disney College Program.
ALEX SYLVESTER (Joseph/ Sam Wainwright/ Sheriff/ Nick is a freshman from Lancaster, NY pursuing a theater performance major with a minor in communication studies. Previous credits include: at the Lancaster Youth Bureau, Newsies (Pulitzer), Mamma Mia! (Harry Bright), 50’s Revue (ensemble). At St Mary’s High School: The Wizard of Oz (Tinman), Little Shop of Horrors (Orin), Blithe Spirit (Dr. Bradman), Godspell (Herb). With Performing Arts: Mean Girls (Aaron Samuels). With the Music Academy of WNY: RENT (Benjamin Coffin III). And with Sacred Heart Academy, Mamma Mia! (Bill Austin).
KEIRSTEN THOMAS (Violet/ Ruth Dakin-Bailey/ Peter Bailey) received her BFA in theatre performance with a fine arts minor in costume design and construction from Niagara University in 2013. Since graduation, she has been fortunate to continue her work in theatre, from The Entertainment Department of Walt Disney World in Florida, to the Gate Hill Players in the Hudson Valley. Select WNY credits include: Into The Woods (Director/Costume Designer & Supervisor), Godspell (Director/Costume Designer) at NCCC; King John (Costume Designer) at The New Phoenix Theatre; the original and revival productions of It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (Costume Designer) at 13 Players. Keirsten is a Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of 13 Players, a professional theatre company in the Niagara Falls area. She is honored to once again be a part of the NU Theatre family and looks forward to supporting the NUTS in their many productions alongside her creative husband Primo, and their two daughters Penny & Freya.
PRIMO THOMAS (NU Theatre Technical Director) (Mr. Potter/ Martini/ Tom) is a proud alumnus of Niagara University’s theatre department, graduating in 2013 with a BFA in theatre studies design technology with a concentration in scenic design. Primo is an active designer and technical director in the Buffalo Theatre community. His past scenic design credits include: A Child’s Christmas in Wales (Irish Classical Theatre Company), Go, Dog. Go! (NURT), Angels in America (Second Generation Theatre), Annapurna (New Phoenix Theatre), My Three Angels (New Phoenix Theatre), Into the Woods (NCCC), Godspell (NCCC), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (NCCC). He is a Co-Founder and the Technical Director of 13 Players, a professional theatre company in the Niagara Region. He is incredibly dedicated to sharing the love of his craft with the next generation of NU theatre students.
JEREMY VICARIO (Mr. Gower/ Ernie Bishop/ Mickey), a Senior from Amherst, N.Y., is pursuing a Theatre Performance Major, With minors in Dance and Political Science. NU credits: Laramie Project (Doc O’Connor and Others), An Ideal Husband (Phipps), Moving Back Home: Niagara Dance Theatre (Dancer), Cabaret (Herr Schultz), Peter and The Starcatcher (Alf) and most recently was seen in Measure For Measure (Duke Vincentio). He is also Director and Choreographer at Mel’s School of Music and Theatre in Hamburg, NY, Teal’s Niagara Theatre in Niagara Falls, NY, and has worked on a multitude of productions. His favorites include Means Girls Jr, Matilda Jr, Descendants, Footloose Youth Edition, Heathers High School Edition, Company, The Little Mermaid, along with the Western New York Area’s regional debut of The Prom.
CATHERINE YOUNGERS (Young Violet/ Zuzu) a freshman from Holland, NY, is a Theatre Performance major with plans to double with Social Work. Previous Roles: Mamma Mia (Donna Sheridan), Queen City Strikers (Rosie), Newsies (Snyder/Nun/Ensemble), Cinderella (Madame), Carrie (Ensemble), The Show Must Go On: A Revue (Soloist), Leader of the Pack (Featured Soloist), Mamma Mia (Lisa), Shrek: the Musical (Ensemble), Beauty and the Beast (Ensemble), and The Music Man (Ensemble).
STEVEN BRADDOCK (Artistic Director, NU Theatre) has directed over 20 productions for NU Theatre, including Much Ado About Nothing, Measure for Measure, Peter & The Starcatcher, Cabaret, Jane Austen’s Emma, An Ideal Husband, Legally Blonde, Little Shop of Horrors, Chicago, Julius Caesar, Lady Windermere’s Fan, Sweeney Todd, Urinetown, and Damn Yankees. He served for eleven years as the Artistic Director of the Gifford Family Theatre, a professional Theatre for Young Audiences in Syracuse. He has worked as Director of Education for Syracuse Stage and Asst. Director of Education at the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston. Mr. Braddock has taught acting at Le Moyne College, Syracuse University, Anna Maria College and Worcester State College. A member of Actor’s Equity, Steve has been seen locally at Shakespeare in Delaware Park, and regionally at theatres throughout the northeast. He has also appeared in numerous commercials as well as voiced characters in multiple audiobooks. Steve received his M.F.A. in Acting from the University of Southern California.