NEW FUN WITH OLD TIME RADIO

NEW FUN WITH OLD TIME RADIO

by Chuck Graham

Let The Show Begin

Earlier this week, Let The Show Begin finally got to see one of the stage dramas presented by Beowulf Alley's Old Time Radio Theatre Company, directed by Sheldon Metz. Let me say, you gotta catch some of these shows. They turn radio theater into a very visual production. These shows aren't just for people who once listened to dramas on the family's console radio each evening.

Metz has all the actors wear vintage clothing reminiscent of the 1940s. Those fedora hats and suspenders are very popular with the men. The director himself also appears in costume and warms up the audience old-time-radio style, with banter about what went on in the broadcasting studios before that "On The Air" light went on.

As always, the sound effects men get lots of attention. They are in period clothing, too. The scripts are the actual scripts that were used to create the original radio broadcasts.

The shows themselves at Beowulf Alley are just plain fun and they only last an hour. So you can catch a performance and still have time left for dinner, drinks or whatever since you are already downtown. Old Time Radio shows are always "staged" every other Tuesday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 adults, $5 for the first two children ages 6-12. No reservations required. For details, 882-0555, or visit www.beowulfalley.org

Here are the programs scheduled through August 17:
Tuesday, July 20: "Baby Snooks and Daddy: Looking for a New House"; "Escape: The Time Machine"
Tuesday, Aug. 3: "Easy Aces: Betty's Marital Problems"; "Mystery Theatre: I Know Who You Are" (a new drama in the old time radio format, written by Richard Chaney)
Tuesday, Aug 17: "Fibber McGee and Molly: Fibber's Closet"; "Gunsmoke: Start of a Legend"

The Old Time Radio Theatre company of performers are directed by Sheldon Metz. The company includes Jacob Brown, Jon Benda, Warren Bodow, Janet Bruce, Joel Charles, Geri Courtney-Austein, Sydney Flynn, Vince Flynn, Audrey Ann Gambach, Barbara Glover, Bill La Point, Steve McKee, Mark McLemore, Joan O'Dwyer, Jessica Risco, Jeff Scotland, Ina Shivack, Jared Stokes, Pat Timm, John Vornholt, and Brian Wees plus occasional guest performers and the technical genius of Mike Saxon and Samuel De Jesus.