KPFK's ARTS IN REVIEW to Air 2015 Christmas Day Holiday Drama Special

KPFK Radio's Arts in Review, Los Angeles's longest-running radio showcase on live theater and cabaret, presents its annual one-hour Christmas Day Holiday Drama Special, highlighted by the radio dramatization, To All A Good Night ("The History of Santa Claus"), performed by the Arts in Review (AIR) Repertory Players, and the 12th annual concert presentation of Dylan Thomas' A Child's Christmas in Wales, featuring actor Al Alu. Also featured is the music of singer/songwriter Al Jarreau, guitarist AnnaMaria, Koto Keys (Mara Purl & Marilyn Harris) and singer David Kaufman.

Hosted by entertainment journalist Julio Martinez, the program airs Friday. Dec 25 (2 to 3pm) on KPFK 90.7.FM, streamed live worldwide on kpfk.org.

The great 20th century Welsh poet Dylan Thomas (1914-1953) wrote A Child's Christmas in Wales, a reminiscence of his youth growing up in the South Wales village of Swansea. He performed the piece on the radio in 1952, shortly before his death. The work was published posthumously in 1955. American actor Al Alu , who passed away on Dec 2, 2014, was a founding member of the prestigious American Conservatory Theater (ACT). He had performed in regional theaters across the U.S. and toured extensively in the critically acclaimed, I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking it On the Road. Mr. Alu's performance is underscored by Koto Keys (keyboardist Marilyn Harris and Japanese harp virtuoso Mara Purl).

To All a Good Night, written by Julio Martinez, directed by Irene Arranga, produced and edited my Mark Torres of Pacifica Archives, chronicles the evolution of 4th century Bishop Nicholas of Smyrna to the iconic Santa Claus of today. The AIR Repertory Players include Richard Heft, Carol Kline, James Hardie, Richard M. Johnson, David Haworth, Linnea Liu Dakin, Ed Krieger, Kayla Kalisz, Nicholas Read, Emma Maurer, Al Alu, Cullen Kirkland and Lauren Lewis.

Arts in Review radio dramatizations have included, The Christmas Eve Truce, Keeping Christmas Well (Dickens Journey to A Christmas Carol), All is Calm, All is Bright (The Story of Silent Night), The Nutcracker's Journey, O Henry's The Gift of the Magi, Mark Twain's The Diary of Adam and Eve & Che and Allen.

Broadcasting since 1987, Arts in Review regularly airs Fridays at 2pm, over KPFK (90.7FM), Pacifica Radio for the Greater Los Angeles area, in Santa Barbara (98.7FM) and streamed live around the world on kpfk.org.

Pictured: AIR Repertory Players take a break while playwright Julio Martinez and director Irene Arranga discuss a script edit.

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