It's a Wonderful Life

Philip Callen* (Jake Laurents)

Philip is thrilled to return to the beautiful Saint Paul Hotel for a 18th straight year of It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. He has appeared on regional theatre stages in New York, CT, and Minneapolis, and most recently has collaborated on several performances with the Norwalk (CT) Symphony. Philip works in special event fundraising and planning for the Entertainment Community Fund, a national social service organization serving people who work in all areas of the entertainment industry. He also serves as a host, emcee, and auctioneer for non-profit fundraising events. He lives in Norwalk, CT, with his wife, Laurie, and their children, Alice and Abraham. philipcallen.com

Adena Brumer (Sally Applewhite)

Adena is so very grateful to be back at The Saint Paul Hotel for It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play! If you have Hulu, you can catch her as "Shannon" in The Other Black Girl! Other TV appearances have included Sleepy Hollow (Fox), Sweet Magnolias (Netflix), Bigger (BET+), and The Long Slow Exhale (Spectrum Cable). In Atlanta, Adena sings with Wild Iris Rose (wildirisrosemusic.com), A1A - The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute (A1A-live.com), and Atlanta Wedding Band (atlantaweddingband.com). During her tenure in Minnesota, Adena performed with The Guthrie, The Ordway, Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company, Theatrical Music Company, Murder Mystery Cafe, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, The History Theatre, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Mixed Blood, Ten Thousand Things, and Theatre Latte Da, among others. She is a proud member of SAG AFTRA. Adena also likes to bake (a lot) and owns her own vibraslap. (Look it up!) www.adenabrumer.com, https://canvasrebel.com/meet-adena-brumer/

Ross Young (Clarence the Angel, Henry F. Potter)

Ross is delighted to return for the 18th year of It’s A Wonderful Life here at the St. Paul Hotel. Since you last scanned the QR Code, Ross has appeared at the Sidekick Theater in Bloomington in The Fabulous Lipotones and at the Paul Bunyan Playhouse as Owen Musser in The Foreigner. 2024 also saw Ross appearing at several callbacks and casting sessions where various producers ultimately decided that they were “going another direction” In the spring of 2025, however, Ross will be performing at the Plymouth Playhouse in 37 Postcards for the Daytrippers Theater. Contrary to widespread rumor, Ross is no relation to Bob Ross, the late and beloved PBS painting instructor.

Christopher Whiting (Skip Watson, Live Sound Effects Man)

Christopher has performed at Theater in the Round, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Pioneer Place, The Paul Bunyan Playhouse, Dudley Riggs, and Hey City Theater, as well as several shows for Actors Theater of Minnesota. Chris has worked extensively in local and national commercials (getting locked in stairwells, crashing through walls and hugging step ladders). His film credits include Blood Hook, The Interview, Reuben the Roller Roo and The Harbinger.

Jennifer Edwards (Lana Sherwood)

Jennifer is thrilled to be spending this glorious time of year at the most magical place in all the land, The St. Paul Hotel. Some of her acting credits include "Tina" in Tony n’ Tina's Wedding, two seasons at The Children's Theatre Company, playing leading roles in Strega Nona Meets Her Match, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, and East of the Sun, West of the Moon. She also appeared as "Lulu" in 15 Head's production of The Lulu Plays. In addition to her stage career, Jennifer has enjoyed a 33-year radio, television and film career, including films such as The Straight Story, Thin Ice, Stay Then Go, The Public Domain, and recently a short film called, VHS No Wake. In addition to her own performing, Jennifer has had the pleasure of mentoring young actors and singers at her home studio. Jennifer is also a very active Interior Designer, Professional Home Stager and REALTOR.

Jim Cunningham (Freddy Fillmore, Co-Director and Producer)

Jim has been a Twin Cities actor (both on- and off-camera) for 35 years and is so grateful for the past 17 years to continue to perform in It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, right here at the beautiful Saint Paul Hotel. This past May he filmed a Hallmark Christmas Movie in Duluth! Look for Jim as “Lou” in Rescuing Christmas on The Hallmark Channel. He created the role of “Frank” in the World Premiere of Patrick Coyle’s play The Big Blue River. For The Illusion Theatre, he appeared as “Joseph Goebbels” in the World Premiere of Dancing With Giants, “Groucho” in The Marx Brothers: The Cocoanuts and “Bill W” in Bill W. and Doctor Bob. He is one of the “3 Guys in Tights” in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged. Jim was also “Tony” in Tony n’ Tina‘s Wedding and spent three years doing improv as part of The Resident Company at Dudley Riggs’ Brave New Workshop. He was The Minister of Fun & Game Host for The Minnesota Twins (24 Seasons) and The Minnesota Wild (20 Seasons). Jim is a native of Saint Paul (spent his wedding night at The Saint Paul Hotel) and still proudly calls Saint Paul home.

Kevin Dutcher (Tommy Jefferson and Music Director)

In the 40 years Kevin has been in the Twin Cities, he has directed more than 150 productions, music-directed and/or scored 65, and acted in 40 more. Favorite roles include “Josef Mashkan” in Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company‘s Old Wicked Songs, “Luther Rosser” in Theater Latte Da’s Parade and “Chico Marx” in Illusion Theater/ATM‘s The Cocoanuts. Kevin has entertained audiences for 31 seasons as “Albert the Elf” at Bachman’s during the Holiday Season. He is Director of Theater Arts for the Spring Lake Park school district, and tickled pink to be back performing this wonderful holiday show with his dearest friends and our wonderful audiences!

Mark Bergren (Directing Consultant)

After five years as an actor, improviser and writer with Dudley Riggs’ Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis, Mark became its Artistic Director. During his eleven years in that role, he helped create 22 original comedy-satire productions and founded a school of improvisation acting. He then began a stint in Florida as a show director for Walt Disney World Entertainment and the Disney Cruise Line. Returning to the Twin Cities, Mark is now a partner in Out of the Blue Creative, where he is a creative director, keynote speaker and executive speaker coach. In addition, he writes for and directs corporate events. Mark is also a partner in Casting Spells Productions, a theatrical production company. He is grateful to Jim Cunningham and the entire cast and crew for the opportunity to be a part of this delightful Twin Cities holiday classic, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.

John Gaspard (Co-Director)

John hung around the initial staging of It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play just long enough to gain the coveted title of Quasi-Co-Director and he hasn’t been seen since. He Co-Directed A Christmas Carol Holiday Feast for Actors Theater of Minnesota for almost 10 years and, on his own, directed their productions of Sleuth and An Evening with The Marx Brothers. John’s series of mystery novels about a Minneapolis-based magician (The Ambitious Card, The Bullet Catch, The Miser’s Dream, The Linking Rings, The Floating Light Bulb, The Zombie Ball, The Magic Square, The Self-Working Trick and The Professor’s Nightmare) are available in print and eBook, as well as Audiobook versions narrated by none other than Jim Cunningham. You can find them on Amazon and on Audible.com. And if you’re fortunate to catch a glimpse of John during this run of It’s AWonderful Life, please do us a favor and alert security.

Rebecca Karstad (Costumer)

Rebecca has been a costumer for over 30 years. She has designed costumes for Theatre in the Round, Park Square and others. She has been with this show since its beginning. She works in the costume shop of the Minnesota Opera and still gets a thrill at taking a flat piece of fabric and turning it into something awesome.

C Andrew Mayer (Sound Designer)

C Andrew has had the great good fortune to work with many fine theatre companies in the Twin Cities and around the country. He particularly treasures his colleagues and finds it absolutely marvelous to have been part of this charming annual It’s A Wonderful Life family for so many years!

Allen Weeks (Lighting Design)

Allen has been working as a production manager, stage manager, and designer since graduating from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Currently the Production Director at Theater Latte Da, Allen was previously the Production Manager at Penumbra Theatre, Actors Theater of Minnesota, and Climb Theater. He has also worked with The Ordway, Theatre Mu, Minneapolis Musical Theater, Artistry, Daleko Arts, Lyric Arts, Walt Disney World, Sesame Street Live, ShopNBC, Minnesota Fringe Festival, Keane Sense of Rhythm, and others.

Brent Thompson (Stage Manager)

Brent has been freelancing as a stage manager in the Twin Cities for many years. He has served as Stage Manager for Bloomington Civic Theatre, Torch Theatre, Mounds View Community Theatre, Gremlin Theatre, and Actors Theater of Minnesota. He is grateful to the entire cast, crew, and family at The Saint Paul Hotel for being part of bringing this poignant story to life for audiences for 18 amazing years! Brent now hails from Denver, CO, where he works as a Civil Engineer.

Dan Duke (Understudy: Tommy Jefferson)

Dan studied classical piano in the hallowed halls of academia. He also has played rock and jazz, including a stint with oldies veterans, Teen King and the Princes. He has also played in restaurants and theatrical productions, including Mr. Hulot’s Holiday, and the Summer Arts program at Saint Paul Academy. Dan teaches piano at the MacPhail Center for Music.

Bonni Allen (Understudy: Sally Applewhite and Lana Sherwood)

Bonni is a stage and commercial actor, voice-over artist and musician. Select Twin Cities theater: Mixed Blood Theatre: Avenue Q, Roe, Gloria, Hooded: or Being Black for Dummies, ANIMATE, Barbecue, Learn to Be Latina, Because, All About Alice, Walking Shadow: The Christians, Girl Friday: Idiot’s Delight, Illusion Theater: Disenchanted, Only One Sophie,Yellow Tree: The Pavilion, Fair Game, History Theatre: Sisters of Swing and Beyond the Rainbow (@TLHD), Christmas of Swing, MN Jewish Theatre: My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding, Theater Unbound: A Piece of My Heart, Old Log: The Savannah Sipping Society and The Dixie Swim Club, Actors Theater of Minnesota: Tony n’ Tina's Wedding, Mom's the Word, Magical Moments, We Gotta Bingo, A Christmas Carol, Troupe America/Plymouth Playhouse National Tour: Love, Loss, and What I Wore, Old Arizona: Bush is Bad, Bucket Brigade: Sam’s Son, Minneapolis Musical Theatre: A Class Act, New Century/Hey City/Hennepin Stages: Funny Business, 11 years in the “Don't Hug Me”series, MN History Center: 9 years in History on a Schtick. Bonni is also a professional photographer. bonniallenphotography.com

Peter Moore* (Understudy: Jake Laurents, Harry “Jazzbo” Heywood and Freddie Filmore)

Peter Moore has been acting and directing professionally since 1977. He has performed Off-Broadway in New York as well as with Detroit's Meadow Brook Theatre, Florida Stage, the Virginia Stage Co., and the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Feature films include Wilson, Thin Ice, Factotum, The Cure, Overnight Delivery, Trauma, the television shows In An Instant, The ABC Afterschool Special – Rose Red, and numerous television commercials. Directing credits include the Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami, the Wintergarden Theater in Toronto, the Parker Playhouse in Ft. Lauderdale, the York Theatre in NYC, the San Diego Rep, and the Virginia Stage Co. in Norfolk. He lives in the Twin Cities, where he has acted or directed at the Guthrie, the Ordway, Penumbra, Mixed Blood, the Jungle, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, the Old Log, Actors Theater of Minnesota, History Theatre, Illusion Theater, Theatre in the Round, and Park Square. He recently performed in Mauritius at Stage North, where he is also the artistic director.

Lee H. Adams (Understudy: Skip Watson)

Lee has been acting in, directing and writing plays and films around the Twin Cities for over 30 years. He has been seen at many theaters including The History Theatre, Frank Theater, Six Points Theater, Paul Bunyan Playhouse, Theater 911 and others. His short film, Per Bianca, won several national competitions and was selected to screen at The Cannes Film Festival. He was the Owner and Artistic Director of Mystery Cafe Comedy Dinner Theater from 1989 to 2017. He is now, primarily, working as a voice actor in radio and television, and has been the MC/PA announcer for the St. Paul Saints since 2015.

Joe Landry (Adaptation)

Joe is the author of several plays including It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (named one of the top-ten most produced plays by American Theatre Magazine). His other “A Live Radio Play” adaptations include The Great Gatsby, Vintage Hitchcock, Meet Me in St. Louis, War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast and A Christmas Carol, published through Playscripts/Broadway Licensing and Concord. Other plays include The Wicked Stage, Reefer Madness, Numb and Hitchcocked! He attended Playwrights Horizons/NYU and has taught playwriting at Sacred Heart University. www.joelandry.com

Kevin Connors (Composer Musical Score)

Off-Broadway: Play Like a Winner (NYMF award-winner), Prime Time Prophet, Jukebox Saturday Night, The Abandoned Loves of Frederick R., Life Anonymous, Lover: The Valentino Musical, Babes Off Broadway, Saloon and Suzy Q. Selected regional productions: The Fantasticks, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Babes in Toyland, A Christmas Carol and Baby; with such stars as Joan Rivers, James Naughton, and Johnny Mathis. He has directed over 150 MTC Equity MainStage productions including Next to Normal, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Falsettoland, Ragtime, Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors, Evita, Doubt, Master Class, Gypsy, (all Connecticut Critics’ Circle Award Nominations/Winners), and It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, (Moss Hart Award Winner). BroadwayWorld Award Winner as Best Director for MTC’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Multiple Connecticut Critics’ Circle Best Director winner including MTC’s Ragtime and Falsettoland, and 2-time recipient of the Tom Killen Award for Outstanding Contribution to Connecticut Professional Theatre. As a composer, he has penned the score for numerous musicals including It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play and The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play (all published by Playscripts, Inc.), and served on the faculties of The Hartt School of Music/University of Hartford, Sacred Heart University, the University of Bridgeport and Musical Theatre Works in NYC. www.kevin-connors.com

* These Actors appear courtesy of Actors Equity Association