ART Station tells how It’s a Wonderful Life 

Remember the days of live radio plays? Remember how every performance was fresh and from the heart? Now think about the classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Even after repeated viewings, there’s always something fresh to touch the heart. Imagine hearing the message of that movie as a live radio play, a venue that naturally would have fit the time in which the story was written.

Actually, there’s no need to merely imagine because “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” is a fresh and innovative adaptation of Frank Capra’s classic movie. Set in the studios of fictional radio station WBFR in the 1940’s, this warm and family-friendly holiday play tells George Bailey’s story in the style of an old-time radio drama. And in the simplicity of the medium, only five actors play all of the 30-something movie roles while creating live sound effects on stage. 

This cast of five includes Barry Stoltz, Kate Donadio, Brik Berkes, Bethany Irby and Bryan Brendle, all of whom have experienced a wonderful life in the theater. 

Stoltz has been a professional actor for over 30 years. He has performed in dozens of Atlanta stage productions, is a proud member of Equity and SAG and serves as the local AFTRA President., but the art of radio acting, the “theater of the mind,” as he calls it, is something he particularly loves. 

Donatio, a graduate of NYU – Tisch School of the Arts, is making her debut with ART Station, but her film credits include movies such as “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”

Berkes has performed all over the country from Oregon to Atlanta, last being seen in ART Station’s “The Mystery of Irma Vep.”

Irby, who holds a BFA from Shorter College and has received two Suzi Bass nominations for best featured actress in a musical, celebrates her sixth season with ART Station.

Brendle, making his debut at the ART Station, has performed in various plays in Atlanta as well as New York City.

began his ART Station career as Snoopy in “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” 19 years ago & was last seen in “Sophie Tucker: Last of the Red Hot Mamas.” He just released his fourth CD, “Right Here, Right Now, Today.” Patrick is the Resident Music Director at ART Station Theatre and The Spiritual Living Center of Atlanta & is a Faculty Accompanist at Georgia Perimeter College. 

ART Station is located at 5384 Manor Drive, Stone Mountain GA, 30083. Performances run Thursdays- Sundays at 8 p.m. through December 23 with two Wednesday performances on Dec. 16 at 10:30 a.m. and Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. Senior discount price is $22. For more information call 770/ 469-1105or visit www.artstation.org .  

Barry Stoltz starring in It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

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