Welcome back, everyone! Last week we sat in with 19 Nocturne Boulevard to hear some adaptations on two classic stories. Tonight is something similar, but in a completely different vein – and yet, related. Clear as mud?
We’re talking about live radio drama performances! Modern audio dramas performed before an audience, while throwing back to the style of Old-Time Radio (OTR). If you’re a regular listener, you’ve heard some of this on our show already – performance recordings from groups like Atlanta Radio
Theatre Company and Great Northern Audio Theatre have made their way to air here, and have been heard and performed at conventions and events across the country. Tonight, however, we wanted to showcase two new groups that have taken to live radio drama and have been readily received by their communities.
First is a group right out of Columbus, Ohio – “It’s All Been Done Radio Hour“. The show was created and is written by Jerome Wetzel, who noticed the art of the live, radio-style show missing from Central Ohio; last year, he brought together a troupe of 15 actors and actresses and began live performances at Packrat Comics. As shows grew more popular, they outgrew their space and have now moved to the MadLab theatre in downtown Columbus. They perform once a month, their next show is April 9th at 3:30pm –so if you like what you hear (and you read this in time) don’t miss out on seeing them live on Saturday! The piece we have tonight is “Daniel Kravitz, Chosen One – Episode Two: Get Out“.
Also joining us this show is an eclectic group of talent hailing from Shaker’s Cigar Bar in Milwaukee, WI. “Hangman Radio” started in 2014, spurred out of a radio station’s request for a paranormal radio show (Shaker’s is haunted, after all) but finding much more energy and interest in changing the focus to variety-type OTR performances; complete with sound effects and local musicians, headed by Professor Pinkerton and “The Magnificents”. While our story from this group isn’t a comedic one like many others of theirs, it is certainly compelling. It’s the story of a horrific hotel fire, from the accounts of the dying victims as it took the lives of over 90 people. It’s entitled, “The Newhall House – Flames From Hell“.
If you live in either the Columbus or Milwaukee areas, support live radio theatre and visit these groups! If you’re not, grab a Google search and find what radio drama groups are near you. There’s more groups out there than you think, and they could use your love and support!
Don’t Forget to Check Out:
– It’s All Been Done Radio Hour
– Hangman Radio
– Atlanta Radio Theatre Company
