'Radio Hour' cast lights up stage

THE 1940S RADIO HOUR, Rodgers Memorial Theatre, Centerville, through Dec. 22 (298-1302 or www.rodgersmemorial.com), running time: two hours (one intermission)

CENTERVILLE — Some Christmas shows leave you with a sugarplum overdose. "The 1940s Radio Hour," which is set during a Manhattan radio broadcast in December 1942, has only two Christmas songs, and neither comes along until the second act.

The other 16 tunes are a cross section of World War II favorites that encompass a variety of styles — romantic ballads, bluesy torch songs, some jazz, big-band swing with a touch of jive, and a collection of old-time radio commercials.

The oldsters in the crowd may have to explain "Salhipatica" and "Kelvinator" to the kids.

Director-choreographer Jim Christian has a 14-member ensemble (28 counting both double-cast groups), replicating an old-time radio show — "The Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade" broadcast live by WOV from a hotel ballroom overlooking Times Square.

The radio troupe is a typical wartime Tin Pan Alley mix — three talented chanteuses, a trumpet player about to ship out, a tippling matinee idol, a drug-store delivery boy aspiring to be an entertainer, an exasperated producer/emcee, etc.

Among the standouts on the production's first Saturday night were Meagan Cash as jazzy Geneva Lee Brown (in "I Got it Bad and That Ain't Good"), Jennie Whitlock as Ginger Brooks (a sultry "Blues in the Night"), Josh Madsen as featured singer Johnny Cantone ("Our Love Is Here to Stay" and "I'll Never Smile Again"), Lindsey Poll as perky Connie Miller ("Daddy"), and Gary Neilson as comedian Neal Tilden ("Blue Moon").

Trissy Bawden, decked out in a golden gown, shined as Ann Collier in "That Old Black Magic" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and Kyle Allen did a fine job as B.J. Gibson, nervously thrust into the spotlight in "How About You?" and "You Go to My Head," with Craig Smith as "first trumpet and 2nd Lieut. Biff," Doug Caldwell as emcee Clifton Feddington and R.B. Archibald as band leader Zoot Doubleman.

Jordan Stoneman was pianist for the nine-member band, all set against a 1940s-era broadcast studio, designed by Lester Lee. There was no need for the "applause" signs. The audience not only applauded each of the acts, but sometimes started before the signs lit up.

There were some major sound problems on Saturday night but these should be taken care of early in the run.

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