Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 1, 1993 TAG: 9311300149
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By KAREN L. DAVIS SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The time is Dec. 21, 1942, just as America was entering World War II. The place is the Hotel Astor's Algonquin Room on Broadway, between 44th and 45th streets in New York City. The show within the show is the re-creation of a live radio broadcast titled the "Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade," typical of one night in the life of WOV radio station.
The production is complete with an on-stage orchestra, flashing applause sign, sound-effects booth and authentic 1940s commercials.
John Sloman, who appeared in the Broadway version, choreographed the Mill Mountain production and co-directs with Jere Hodgin.
The Mill Mountain production's point of view differs only slightly from the Broadway version, Sloman said.
"Rather than present WOV as a second-string, ramshackle radio station, we're taking another tack with it," he said. "It's still not NBC, but we're looking at it as if these are the stars of the future. I think it has more sparkle and fun to it."
Sloman said he opted not to re-create any of the Broadway choreography for Mill Mountain's main stage. Instead, he's developed original dance routines. And to help him recapture the patriotic mood of the 1940s swing era in his numbers, Sloman said he researched lots of old movies.
Although the play's title is not familiar to most people, many of the songs are:
"I Got a Gal From Kalamazoo," "Blues in the Night," "That Old Black Magic," "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Strike Up the Band," "Jingle Bells," "I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good," "Love Is Here to Stay," "I'll Never Smile Again," "Blues in the Night" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" are just a few old-time favorites on tap for the evening.
Two rotating choruses of seven local children perform in several of the numbers.
And in keeping with the holiday spirit, WOV characters present an installment from Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" as a radio drama, complete with old-fashioned sound effects, done live the way they were in the '40s, before the days of audio tape, Sloman said.
Although Walton Jones wrote the script, the material actually grew out of improvisations, Sloman said.
"The play didn't last long on Broadway," he said, "But it is still very popular in regional theaters."
The cast includes John Cates, John Wayne Shafer, Glen Badyna, Clif Morts, Stephanie Lynge, Karen Faistl, Al Bundonis and Miguel Perez. Frank Kosik, Mitchell Kantor, Jaymie Meyer and Sondra M. Bonitappear courtesy of Actors Equity Association.
"The 1940s Radio Hour" previews to Roanoke audiences tonight and Thursday night at 7:30 for $10. The show officially opens Friday at 8 p.m. and continues through Dec. 31. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 2 p.m. Sunday matinees. Only one show will be performed Dec. 31 at 5 p.m. The theater is closed on Mondays, and there will be no performances on Dec. 24 or on Christmas Day.
The 2 p.m. matinee on Dec. 18 will be interpreted in sign language for the hearing impaired. Hearing impaired patrons receive $4 off the regular admission price for signed performances.
by CNB