It’s A Wonderful Life


IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (Live Radio Play) – November 16 – December 23

  • The venue: The Studio Theater
  • This beloved Frank Capra American holiday classic film comes to life as a captivating live 1940’s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that bring dozens of familiar characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. It will take the help of the lovable angel, Clarence, to show George what life would be like if he wasn’t born and then guiding him to a change of heart and understanding the true spirit of Christmas. Remember: “Every time a bell rings, an angel get its wings”

Meet the Cast

Freddie Filmore – Adam Crowe

Adam O. Crowe (Mr Potter, etc.) is delighted to return to Actor’s Theatre of Indiana, where he last appeared in The Odd Couple. A graduate of Wabash College, Adam has been a part of the Central Indiana Theater scene for more than 20, with appearances at Beef & Boards Dinner Theater, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Bloomington’s Cardinal Stage, Phoenix Theatre, Jewish Theatre of Bloomington, Indy Shakespeare, and NoExit.  A native of Logansport, Adam is thankful for all the Patrons who support live Theater in Central Indiana!

Jake Laurents – Paul Tavianini

Paul is thrilled to be making his ATI debut with It’s A Wonderful Life. Recent work includes Bright Star (Daddy Murphy) at the Phoenix Theatre Company and A Raisin in the Sun (Karl Lindner) at IRT.  Regionally, he has appeared with the Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Nora Theatre and Huntington Theatre companies in Boston; Hippodrome Theatre Company in Gainesville, FL; Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany, NY; the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre; and A Noise Within in Los Angeles.  He has appeared on Law & Order, the Discovery Channel series Kidnap and Rescue, and is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity Association.

Sally Applewhite – Judy Fitzgerald

A proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Credits Include: Radio City Music Hall w/ Glenn Close, Madison Square Garden w/ Liza Minnelli & Danny Burstein (conducted by Marvin Hamlisch). National Tour w/ Debbie Reynolds, Shirley Jones &Omar Sharif. Off-Broadway: Swingtime Canteen w/Tony Award-winner, Charles Busch (Blue Angel); Placido Domingo’s operetta VLAD (Lamb’s Theatre); Dodsworth w/ John Collum, George Lee Andrews, Dee Hoty (York Theatre, John Houseman Theatre); Irene (Sylvia & Danny Kaye Playhouse);Face the Music,That’s The Ticket! w/ Tony Award-winner George S. Irving( Musicals Tonight! Series).Other credits include Regional Theatre, Summer Stock, Dinner Theatre, Cabaret, Industrials… As a Co-Founder of Actors Theatre of Indiana, Judy was last seen on the ATI stage as Princess Puffer in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. She resides in Carmel with her partner Cindy Collins & their daughter Lizzie.

Lana Sherwood – Cynthia Collins

A proud member of Actors’ Equity Association since 1991, her OffBroadway credits include: Fifty Million Frenchmen, Face The Music, Jubilee, That’s The Ticket with Tony Award winner George S. Irving (Musicals Tonight Series); Valentino,The Musical at the Judith Anderson Theatre; Lone Star Cafe at The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre and Gigi at Equity Library Theatre directed by Gerard Alessandrini, creator of the famed Forbidden Broadway. Cindy has toured Nationally in Singin’ In The Rain and internationally in My Fair Lady as well as multiple Cruise Line appearances. She has worked Regional, Summer Stock and Dinner Theatre. Her television/film credits include: Law & Order, Law & Order SVU, Ed, Sex and The City, OZ, Die Hard III, Sabrina, Maid in Manhattan, The Thomas Crown Affair, When I Grow Up, Hide & Seek, Zoolander, Coyote Ugly/ She has had the pleasure of working with such artists as Ben Vereen, Sandy Duncan, Claude Aikins, Comden & Green, Cy Coleman, Avery Schrieber, Joel Grey, Cyndi Lauper, Fred Waring and his famous Pennsylvanians, Chita Rivera, Sutton Foster, Diane Rehm (NPR‘s The Diane Rehm Show). As Co-Founder and Associate Artistic Director of Actors Theatre of Indiana, she was last seen on the ATI stage as Drood in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. A native of Livingston, N.J. and longtime resident of New York City, Cindy currently resides in Carmel with her partner Judy Fitzgerald and their daughter Lizzie.

Harry Heywood – Don Farrell

Don Farrell (HARRY “JAZZBO” HEYWOOD) has 31-plus years working as a professional singer, dancer, actor, director, choreographer and producer with credits that include Off-Broadway, International and National Tour, Las Vegas, Regional productions and concerts with major national symphonies. Don made his Off-Broadway debut as Jimmy O’Flaherty at the Sylvia & Danny Kaye Playhouse in Irene starring Lee Roy Reams, George S. Irving and Ruth Warrick. He has originated the following world premiere roles of “Louis” in Last of the Red-Hot Mamas, the Sophie Tucker Revue-sical, “Ruby Waxman” in TUNING IN and Inspired Lunacy at the Florida Studio Theatre.  For Actors Theatre of Indiana include: A Comedy of Tenors (Tito/Beppo), Million Dollar Quartet (Sam Phillips), La Cage Aux Folles (Albin/Zaza), Sweeney Todd (Sweeney), A Year with Frog and Toad (Toad), The Odd Couple (Oscar Madison), among others. Other favorite roles include MAMMA MIA! (Harry Bright) and Into the Woods (The Baker) both at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre and Damn Yankees! (Mr. Applegate) for the Indiana Theatre Festival. A graduate of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Don is a co-founder of Actors Theatre of Indiana and serves as its Artistic Director.

Young George – Luca Arive

Luca is proud to be joining the cast of It’s a Wonderful Life; the Live Radio Play. Luca lives in Indianapolis with his family and attends Eastwood Middle School. He is in eighth grade and his favorite subjects are Individuals & Societies and Choir. Luca first appeared on stage at the age of 11 as Lil’ Yonkers in Gypsy at Anderson University. Luca enjoys running cross country for Eastwood and has recently joined a swim team. Luca would like to thank his family for their love and support. He also thanks Actor’s Theatre of Indiana for allowing him to enjoy this valuable experience.

Young Mary – Sadie Cohen

Sadie is thrilled to be making her ATI debut in It’s a Wonderful Life. Sadie most recently appeared in Fun Home as Small Alison (Ball State DOT&D). Some of Sadie’s other favorite credits include Annie (Beef and Boards), Joseph… (Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre) and The King and I (Brebeuf Theatre). A 4th grader from Carmel, Sadie enjoys piano, karate, dancing and playing with her dog, Hamilton, and cats, Belle and Chewbacca. Special thanks to Don, Cynthia and Judy for this exciting opportunity. Happy Holidays and enjoy the show! XXOO Mom, Dad & Evan. Follow me at: sadie-cohen.com

Young Harry – Lincoln Everitt

Lincoln is thrilled to be performing at Actors Theatre of Indiana for the first time!  He is a fourth grader at St. Richard’s Episcopal School and has been singing and dancing ballet since age 2.  He has performed in several shows here in Indiana.  Roles include Edgar aka Little Boy in Ragtime (CCP), Children’s Chorus in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Beef & Boards/Civic), the Magic Carpet in Aladdin (WTCT), Ensemble in Brigadoon (Footlite) and The Nutcracker (IBC). He would like to thank the cast and crew of It’s a Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play for allowing him to shine!  He would also like to thank his mom, Nana, Poppy and Rebecca McConnell for supporting and nurturing his love for theatre!

Zuzu – Annabelle Pfeiffer

Annabelle is 10 years old and in the 4th grade. She is very excited for her first performance with ATI! Her previous roles include young Nala in The Lion King Jr. and the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. She’s also performed in The Sound of Music and Charlotte’s Web. She loves to play piano, volleyball and softball. She spends a lot of time with her friends.  She does the best she can in school and is very responsible.  She loves to read and sing; and she hates math.

Art Foley – Sherman Burdette

Sherman is the 2-time Emmy winning Host/Reporter/Producer for ‘Where is Sherman’ on Fox59 Morning News. His ‘Where is Sherman’ segments highlight special events, what’s new, what’s trending, and just about any and everything fun around Central Indiana. He is a veteran in local TV news and has worked in 7 TV markets around the country. Sherman also has a background in acting, most recently in local film productions. This is his first stage production in many years. Sherman was born and raised in Indianapolis and attended IPS #43 and Broad Ripple High School. He’s a graduate of Ball State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Telecommunications.