“A Christmas Story” Star Serves
As PBA Xtra Frame Producer

The name Ian Petrella may not be familiar to bowling fans, but an early work in the PBA Xtra Frame producer’s career is immediately recognized around the world.

In 1983, Petrella played Randy Parker opposite Peter Billingsley’s Ralphie Parker in the classic comedy “A Christmas Story.” In one unforgettable scene, Petrella, as Randy, is overly bundled up for the winter weather by being wrapped in sweaters and a jacket so tightly he is unable speak or put his arms down.

The actor has taken on many roles in his career in front of the camera. Behind the camera, Petrella is now contributing his Hollywood production experience as a producer for PBA’s online bowling television program, Xtra Frame.

“I have gotten to know bowlers, and the hard-core fans want to see bowling,” said Petrella. “We have to think of those fans as we prepare for Xtra Frame webcasts and the new PBA:39X60. It's a fun challenge to incorporate my knowledge of entertainment into the knowledge of bowling and create an entertaining product.”

Petrella became involved in bowling through his production partner and cousin Jason Thomas, who asked the former actor to direct and assist in writing and producing Let’s Go Bowling, a popular bowling talk/variety show that aired on bowlersparadise.com. Petrella is also an award-winning animator, and provided the character animation for The Bowling Show host P.B. Atkinson, (the show airs every Friday on pba.com).

Each week during the 2009-10 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season bowling fans will be able to prepare for ESPN’s Sunday show by watching Xtra Frame’s in-depth coverage of each event leading to its final round. Content includes interviews on the PBA:39X60 program and match play coverage that details how the competitors made the ESPN show.

After each telecast, viewers will be directed back to Xtra Frame for unprecedented post-event coverage including a post-show check-and-trophy presentation and press room interview with each winner. Bowling fans can subscribe to Xtra Frame on pba.com for $64.99 per year or $7.99 per month. To check out the Xtra Frame programming schedule, click on pba.com/xtraframe.

The 2009-10 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season begins on ESPN Sunday Oct. 25 with the first telecast at 1 p.m. Eastern. The PBA Women’s World Championship final (Kelly Kulick vs. Shannon Pluhowsky) along with the PBA Senior World Championship final (Harry Sullins vs. Hugh Miller) will be featured along with the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour Trick Shot Challenge (Parker Bohn III, Osku Palermaa, Sean Rash, Norm Duke, Chris Barnes, Brian Voss).