Auntie Claus, Family Music And More: For The Whole Family

Author of the children’s book, Auntie Claus, Elise Primavera, describes Auntie Claus as “a cross between Coco Chanel and Auntie Mame, with a little bit of Mary Poppins thrown in.” Arthur Funni transforms this popular children’s story into a script for a radio broadcast, emphasizing sound effects.

Arthur was given two copies of the book about two years ago. He gave one copy to a four-year-old niece who loved it.  He wrote one scene a year and a half ago and then shelved the book. He had produced, edited, and directed three sound adaptations of Holiday books already and friends criticized him for only performing drama during the holidays.  

Arthur was awarded a “Best Production” award for his production of A Very Private Miracle in April, 2012 and that motivated him to contact author, Elise Primavera. She approved of his plans and four weeks of writing resulted in a sound adaptation of “Auntie Claus.” His script sticks with the book because he knows that when kids are fans of a book, “they know every single word of it-- forwards and backwards.”

Arthur studied theatre at Firelands College and Bowling Green University and earned a teaching degree at John Carroll University. He volunteers for WJCU radio at John Carroll University with his own show every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., “which highlights old-time radio and comedy plus things that haven’t been heard in a very long time.”

Join us as Arthur and his cast enact their script which trails a little girl named Sophie Kringle who follows her eccentric aunt on a business trip to the North Pole.

Saturday, November 17, at 7 p.m. in the Main Library Multipurpose Room.