CIU Thespians honor the past with “The Old Timey Radio Show”
November 29, 2023
The CIU Thespians fall production was really different. And really old. They saluted the past with “The Old Timey Radio Show.”
Under the leadership of CIU Thespian president Aynsley Vivian, six directors and their cast brought to life old radio scripts from the 1930s to the 1950s through the set and costumes that fit the genre and setting. The six skits were presented in two acts featuring episodes from “Abbott and Costello,” “Five Minute Mysteries,” “Short Short Story,” “Our Gal Friday,” “Little Orphan Annie” and “Flash Gordon.”
A couple of songs were performed including “(I Love You) for Sentimental Reasons” from 1945 and the Irving Berlin classic "Blue Skies" from 1926. There was also a reading of a World War II news report from a British correspondent describing a German bombing of England. All of this was interspersed with old radio commercials.
Jenea Bradshaw, a senior Media Arts major, and cast member of a “Five Minute Mystery,” called her time on stage, “a joy and privilege.”
“Every rehearsal was filled with fun and determination to deliver a show that would entertain and glorify God with our efforts,” Bradshaw said. “Striving for excellence without being a slave to perfection allowed us to use our imagination and the freedom of improvisation, leading to hilarious and fun scenes that made it into the final show. We gave our all, and I am proud to have played a part in the Old Timey Radio Show.”
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