For decades I've had a love of old time radio shows. I think the first one I heard was Orson Wells's Dracula for Mercury Theater on the Air. I was laid out in the far back seat of my parents' mini-van with the cassette tape playing on my Walkman. I invite audiences to experience where dramatic audio began. I hope it will bring back fond memories for those who lived in this era and fascinate those who came along later.
- Russell Sims, Director
Meet The Cast
Brandy Nuttall
Brandy Nuttall is pleased to be singing in this show. She is the current head theater and choir director at Community High School. You may have seen her last on GCTs stage as Sue in Snapshots. She thanks Russell for asking her to be a part of this wonderful show.
Carol M. Rice
Carol M. Rice most recently appeared as Sarah Bernhardt in Rover Dramawerks' production of Bernhardt/Hamlet and directed Crimes of the Heart earlier this season for GCT. She previously appeared on the GCT stage as Boo Levy in The Last Night of Ballyhoo and Cecily Pidgeon in The Odd Couple, and directed The Nerd (just not the most recent iterations of those productions). A few of her favorite roles include M'Lynn in Steel Magnolias, Margot Euston in Crisis, Ruth in Blithe Spirit, and Queen Aggravain in Once Upon a Mattress. Carol is also a published playwright, and she acts and directs all over the Metroplex. Somehow she also finds time to be an adjunct theatre professor at Dallas College and UNT Dallas.
Russell Sims
Russell Sims has become a regular around Garland Civic Theatre since his debut in 2017’s Dracula: The Musical. He was last seen on the GCT stage as Daniel Kaffee in A Few Good Men. He has also recently twice played the role of Cohen in The Underpants at both Rover Dramawerks and MainStage Irving, and he played Bill Ray Sr. in Allen Contemporary Theatre’s recent production of On Golden Pond. He gives thanks to his wife, Kerra, and daughter, Lydia, for their patience, support, and inspiration and he thanks the friends (both old and new) who joined him in making his directorial debut!
Janae Hatchett
Janae Hatchett is happy to return to Garland Civic Theatre! Most recently, she has appeared in Crime of the Heart at Garland Civic Theatre and By the Way, Meet Vera Stark at Urban Arts Centre. She has also worked at other local theatres such as Pocket Sandwich Theatre, Bishop Arts Theatre Center, and Richardson Theatre Centre. She is also a playwright and had her work, New and Improving, performed at Arts Fort Worth. Janae would like to thank her family for all of their love and support.
Kristobal Rios
Kristobal Rios, an actor from Joshua, Texas is excited to be returning to the stage! Recently portraying a werewolf in “Shine Blood the Moon” and a murder suspect in “Killing Johnny Miracle”. He made his stage debut in “Grease” as Vince Fontaine. He is a recent graduate with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and works locally in Dallas, Texas.
Debbie Deverich
Debbie Deverich (Music Director) appears frequently at other theatres in the area, most recently as Lady Clapham in the musical Something Rotten at Centerstage Theatreworks and as Lady Manley Prowe in the musical Something's Afoot at Allen's Contemporary Theater. Some of her favorite roles include Constance Crawford in Drop Dead, JeriNeal in The Dixie Swim Club and SaraLee in Daddy's Dyin'...Who's Got the Will?, all at Richardson Theatre Centre. Debbie earned a Theatre Education degree from Baylor University and has just retired from education this summer! She is also on the Vocal Team at First Baptist Church in Allen. "Christmas music lightens your heart! I hope you all have a blessed Christmas!"
Allison Larrea
Allison Larrea is excited to return to Garland Civic Theatre for A Radio Christmas on the Square. She would like to thank her friends and family for their unwavering love and support.
James Williams
James Williams is excited to return to Garland Civic Theatre in A Radio Christmas on the Square. Most recently James appeared as Olin Britt in GSM’s The Music Man, and will next be seen as Gabriel in Hope In The Heartland. Favorite roles include Horace Vandergelder in Hello Dolly!, Senator Max Evergreen in Nice Work if You Can Get It, JB Bigley in How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Carriere in Phantom, Captain Smith in Titanic, Col. Dr. Otternschlag in Grand Hotel, and Narrator/Mysterious Man in Into the Woods.
James has also performed with Lyric Stage, Uptown Players, Water Tower Theatre, Theatre 3, and Garland Summer Musicals. Much love to all of the Dubs and Luds!