It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

It’s a Wonderful Life

A Live Radio Play

Adapted by Joe Landry

Friday, December 5, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 7:00 pm

Granite Valley Middle School
Monson, Massachusetts

When financial ruin threatens, George Bailey is wrought for a way out. As his options close in on him, a guardian Angel is sent to show him that it truly is a wonderful life. Join this star-studded cast of talent as they transport you via the airways of WBOR to Bedford Falls in this classic radio play.

SELECTED CAST BIOGRAPHIES (Alphabetical Order)

Dara Battige is delighted to be returning to the stage after a 30 year hiatus following her breakout role as Earthworm in her fourth grade production of James and the Giant Peach. When she’s not honing her star power, Dara can be found sharing local history and eats at the Steaming Tender restaurant, absorbing all things fashion, and loving her cats, from Here Today Adopted Tomorrow shelter, beyond all measure. She would like to thank her employer for the grace to pursue her dreams, her family for helping her become who she is, her mom for true friendship, and her fiance for endless encouragement, and to all her many angels along the way. 

Isabelle Cacela is excited to partake in her first theatrical performance. Isabelle is 9 years old and in third grade. When not rehearsing, she enjoys dancing, singing, and gymnastics.

John Cacela is returning to the joy of acting after not taking the stage since his teens. John is a 43 years young family man who works in law enforcement. In his free time he enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with his wife and three children.

Olivia Cacela is excited to perform in her first theatrical performance! She is 9 years old and in third grade. Olivia is very creative and spends her time drawing, crafting, singing, and dancing.

Jo Cobleigh is charmed by this story and happy to bring it to life in this throw-back approach. Jo revived her acting chops 15 years ago and is enjoying her first voice-acting opportunity as “Mary, et al” for this production. Listen for more!!

Tony Esposito is happy to be returning to the stage as Clarence in the Monson Arts Council production of It’s A Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play. His return to the stage follows past performances as Otis in the Monson Arts Council Theater production of The Radio Play Disaster, as well as performances in GreeneRoom Productions Woodland of Wonder in which he appeared as The Boss in The Invaders, Rumpelstiltskin in The Grimm Crusade, Archer in Archer and the Yeti, Dr. Frankenstein in Monsters’ Coalition, Zander in The Timekeeper’s Library, and Mum in The Queen’s Fables. He has played Mufasa in The Lion King Jr, and The Mayor in Bye Bye Birdie.. He has worked on past productions of Fame Jr, Emotional Creature, Bye Bye Birdie, Into the Woods, Steel Magnolias, and The Mousetrap. He was a co-producer of the Monson Arts Council Theatre production of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap and The Radio Play Disaster and is co-producer of this performance of It’s A Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play. Tony would like to thank the cast and crew and the “behind the scenes” people for all the hard work and effort that has been put into making this show come alive. He would also like to thank the personnel at Granite Valley School for hosting this production. May it be the first of many held here! Last but not least, he welcomes and thanks you for being a supporter of the arts in the town of Monson.

Matt Jones is assuming the roles of Harry, Martini, Dr. Campbell, and Sheriff. He has previously acted as Max in The Radio Play Disaster. When Matt isn’t acting he enjoys creating planted terrariums and aquariums for his fish and frogs.

Michael Buster McMahon returns to MAC after appearing in their 2012 and 2013 Talent Shows. He is a playwright and former stand up comedian and ESPN radio host from Agawam where he lives with his choreographing wife Karen Anne, daughter Serenity, and teddy bear Buttons Fournier. Recent accomplishments include Exit 7 Players putting on his play “Sanctuary Much!”, directing “Foes of A Minimum Wage Guard” on 42nd Street in NYC, and presenting his short plays on “The MBM Televised Radio Playhouse and Used Tire Co”, which is shown on over 50 access channels in three states and is available on youtube. (Check it out!)  Future plans include searching for Ogopogo, living until he’s 89 (so far so good), and advocating for the oxford comma. 

Andy Price is delighted to appear in his second show with MAC, but it’s not his first rodeo with It’s a Wonderful Life, having performed in a musical version thereof as Mr Gower with Westfield Theatre Group two years ago. Andy just finished a three-week run as Drake the British Butler (Annie) at Exit 7 Theatre. Other favourite roles include: the lead character Tony Wendice in the classic Dial M for Murder; Colonel Pickering (My Fair Lady); Mr Bumble (Oliver!); Richard (Moon over Buffalo); Unexpected Cop & Col. Mustard u/s (Clue!); Mr Lawrence (Little Women); Sen. Max Evergreen (Nice Work if you can Get it). He has also acted in two local feature-length indie films, Illuminate (2021) & Lukewarm (2022), both available on Amazon Prime. Andy is thankful to his supportive wife Nancy; they live with all their cats in Granby MA. When not on stage, Andy’s other major hobby is LEGO; he has built and exhibited models all over the Eastern US, and specialises in real-life buildings.

Freya Sprous currently lives in Palmer. She is excited to be playing Matilda, Sadie, and Mrs. Hatch. Freya has previously performed in the Monson Arts Council Community Players’s production of The Radio Play disaster as Trixie Flander. She has performed with several local music groups. Most recently as a member of Wings of Song and The Hardwick Memorial Handbell Choir. When not making music, Freya enjoys growing a vegetable garden and crafting.