Christmastime Origins, an adaptation of theater journalist Julio Martinez´s The Eight Plays of Christmas, is playing at Upstairs at The Group Rep in Burbank, California through Jan. 2.

While Martinez´s written work consists of eight pieces originally written as radio plays, the adaptation by the Southern California venue features four pieces dealing with the source origins of the most beloved things about Christmas. But the acts remain radio plays. For that, The Group Rep turns its Upstairs theater venue into a radio studio with actors at microphones, live music and foley sound.  

The Group Rep´s adaptation is directed by Kathleen Delaney with musical direction by Paul Cady and produced by Stevie Stern. The cast features Michael Gabiano, Sheena Georges, Kelly Goode, Doug Haverty, Matthew Hoffman, James Lamire, Kayley Stallings, Mark Stancato, Diane Vincent and Leslie Young. 

In the interest of full disclosure, Martinez is a freelance writer for this website, Latin Heat.

Julio Martinez (Photo: Courtesy)

Martinez created the radio plays in 2004 after the Pacifica Radio Network asked him to develop dramas to be aired over the public radio network that owns stations in Los Angeles, Berkeley, Houston, New York and Washington DC. The network has reportedly about 180 stations in the U.S. Martinez, who is the producer and host of the weekly show Arts in Review since 1987, wrote the new works to be broadcast every holiday season, including All Is Calm All Is Bright, The Nutcracker’s Journey, Keeping Christmas Well, O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi, To All Good Night, A Christmas Eve Truce, One Horse Open Sleigh and A Christmas in Tinseltown. They were originally broadcast over KPFK 90.7 FM, Pacifica Radio for the Greater Los Angeles Area, and distributed nationally over the Pacifica Radio Network. Two of the works, Keeping Christmas Well and A Christmas Eve Truce, were also broadcast over BBC Radio in Great Britain. All eight plays can be produced as staged readings in radio-style or can be theatrically staged and produced as theater plays.

Julio Martinez’s radio plays are published as a book.

Now the Christmas radio plays are being taken to the stage by The Group Rep. The creative and production team consists of Bert Emmett (set design), John Lucewich (lighting design), Don O’Connell (foley design), Sammy Strittmatter (sound consultant), Cheryl Crosland (costume design), John Ledley (stage manager), Kristin Stancato (assistant director), Leslie Young (props), Hisato Masuyama (assistant musical director and utility player), Cathy Tomlin (stage manager and utility player), Doug Engalla (photography and videography), Kristin Stancato (social media) and Doug Haverty (graphics). 

Christmastime Origins runs through Jan. 2 with shows on Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. The show´s running time is approximately 90 minutes. There will be talkbacks with the writer, cast and production team after the shows Dec. 11 and 18, followed by a book signing of The Eight Plays of Christmas with author Martinez. 

General admission is $20 and $17 for seniors and students with ID. All patrons must be vaccinated and show ID and proof of full vaccination are required upon entry. Wearing masks is required inside the theater complex.

Upstairs at the Group Rep is located on the second floor of the Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood.

For tickets and information, visit www.thegrouprep.com or call 818.763.5990.