Based on actual happenings, the production allows you to enter
the mind of Santa as he encounters all types at a harborside art festival,
chamber mixer, private club, radio station listener party, children's shelter,
his next-door neighbor, a panicked girlfriend, and one family's personal
appearance request.
Hillman, a Ventura County resident, is often cited as one of the
early pioneers of the country-rock genre. His past bands include Manassas, The
Desert Rose Band, The Flying Burrito Brothers and Souther-Hillman-Furay. As
Every Now and Then Theatre's chosen Celebrity Host, Hillman will open the show
and set the scene for the hour long broadcast. At the breaks, he takes us back
in time with recorded Christmas comments from Ventura County's children- who are
now adults. Hillman will wrap up the broadcast revealing the ensemble cast,
nearly all of whom played multiple characters.
"Wearing Santa's Suit” was directed by Shawn W. Lanz of
Camarillo. Script and producer was James Wortman of Ventura. Onsite sound
engineer was David Tuomi of Thousand Oaks. Post Sound Producer was Bob Allen
from KVTA. The broadcast was made possible with resources from Barkerductions in
Ventura for equipment, and Goldcoast Broadcasting for air time. CD copies of the
broadcast are made available to cast and crew in trade for donations to KVTA's
Children's Services Fund.
Now in its 24th year, the all-volunteer Every Now and Then
Theatre has won 35 international, national, and local awards for radio drama
excellence. They are now part of the American Radio Archives in Thousand
Oaks. Chris Hillman's website is www.chrishillman.com.