KPFK Radio’s Arts in Review Announces Holiday Show

KPFK Radio's Arts in Review, Los Angeles's longest-running radio showcase on live theater and cabaret, presents its annual one-hour Holiday Special, highlighted by the premiere of the radio dramatization, To All a Good Night, performed by the Arts in Review Repertory Company, and the 8th annual concert presentation of Dylan Thomas' A Child's Christmas in Wales, featuring actor Al Alu. Also featured is the music of singer/composer Jane Fuller, the songwriting duo, David Budway & Lou Tracey, Koto Keys (Mara Purl & Marilyn Harris) and satirist Bryant Oden.

Hosted by entertainment journalist Julio Martinez, the program airs Friday, December 23 (2 to 3pm) on KPFK 90.7.FM, streamed live worldwide on kpfk.org.

To All a Good Night, written by Julio Martinez and directed by Irene Arranga, chronicles the history of Santa Claus. This premiere drama production features the Arts in Review Repertory Company, including Al Alu, Linnea Liu Dakin, Jim Hardie, David Haworth, Richard Heft, Richard M. Johnson, Kayla Kalisz, Cullen Kirkland, Carol Kline, Ed Krieger, Emma Maurer, Lauren Lewis, and Nicholas Read. Previous Arts in Review radio dramatizations have included, All is Calm, All is Bright, The Nutcracker's Journey, Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus, O Henry's The Gift of the Magi, and Mark Twain's The Diary of Adam and Eve.

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 was a founding member of the prestigious American Conservatory Theater (ACT). He has 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).

Broadcasting since 1987, Arts in Review 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. F