‘The 1940’s Radio Hour’ is a nostalgic look at old-time radio

Acorn Staff Writer


BOOGIE-WOOGIE BUGLE BOY--The Mutual Manhattan Variety Calvalcade, with vocalists (from left to right): Steve Kirwan as Johnny Cantone, Delaney Miller as Ginger Brooks, Gino Roy as Wally Ferguson and Katy Wright as Connie Miller, perform a song during

BOOGIE-WOOGIE BUGLE BOY–The Mutual Manhattan Variety Calvalcade, with vocalists (from left to right): Steve Kirwan as Johnny Cantone, Delaney Miller as Ginger Brooks, Gino Roy as Wally Ferguson and Katy Wright as Connie Miller, perform a song during “The 1940’s Radio Hour,” now playing at the Conejo Players Theatre, 351 S. Moorpark Road, in Thousand Oaks. The show runs through April 28. For more information, call (805) 495-3715.

Imagine it’s Christmastime, 1942: The world is at war, "our boys" are overseas, and you’re a member of a live studio audience for The Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade, broadcast on radio station WOV ("V for Victory").


Whether you’ve lived through it, or just learned about it in history books, the era comes alive in the Conejo Players production of the "1940’s Radio Hour," currently playing at Conejo Players Theatre in Thousand Oaks.


The show provides a delightful look at the radio show, from the hectic preparations to the actual broadcast, complete with popular songs (including the upbeat "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy from Company B," "Blue Moon" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"), well-choreographed dances, humorous skits and memorable commercials from that time period.


Although the show doesn’t really have a plot, its delightfully quirky characters let their own stories come through with their actions and expressions. All of the actors are excellent, with terrific voices and harmonizing skills.


Especially of note is married couple Katy and Neal Wright, who portray Connie Miller, an enthusiastic singer/dancer, with excellent expressions and performing skills, and Neal Tilden, the comedian of the show, who impressively combines his character’s comic shtick with his underlying desire to be a featured soloist.


Delaney Gibson shines as Ginger Brooks, whose stage presence dominates during her solos and ensemble songs and dances. Steve Kirwan portrays a convincing and melancholy drunk as the desperate Johnny Cantone.


Also of note is Arryck Adams, as B.J. Gibson, Terrie Benton, as Ann Collier, Peggy Walsh, as Geneva Lee Brown, Robert West, as Clifton A. Feddington and Jason Rockney, as Biff Baker, a young man about to be shipped to overseas as a fighter pilot, who gives a poignant message about the war.


The show is excellently directed by Zachary Spencer, a 40s’ buff, who says he chose this show for its selections of classic music and the flexibility in the way the show is performed.


The Conejo Players’ audience actually becomes the "broadcast audience," with characters occasionally talking and singing to them. Early arrivers are treated to a pre-show, in which some of the characters set up the radio station stage for the broadcast, including Pops Bailey, excellently characterized by John J. (Jack) McGee—the humorous employee and bookie who takes bets on the station’s old-fashioned pay phone. Stephen Austin is also good as Lou Cohn, the station’s manager.


The band, which plays onstage as part of the show, is wonderful, with terrific saxophone solos.


As a peek into the past, or just as an old-fashioned variety show, the musical is enjoyable and worth seeing. It plays through April 28 with 8 p.m. performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.


For reservations or information, please call (805) 495-3715. Conejo Players Theatre is at 351 South Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks.




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