Spring Arbor University Theater will depart from conventional drama this fall with their production of Mystery Radio Theater, premiering Thursday, Oct. 29, in White Auditorium. Subsequent performances will take place Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 31. General admission is $8; $5 for students. For members of the retirement community, there is a free matinee performance on Saturday.
This production will be a collection of short radio dramas performed on-stage as if the audience were watching a radio show from the 1930s. The actors will be in costume, but with no props and no sets. The performances will be accompanied by the Spring Arbor jazz combo.
The shows were transcribed from recordings of original broadcasts from the 1930s. The three shows to be performed are “Death Stalks the Shadow,” “Candy Matson, P.I.” and “Sorry, Wrong Number.” Jen Letherer, director of Mystery Radio Theater and assistant professor of communication, wanted to include a classic, a comedy and a drama in the production.
“I’ve wanted to do ‘Sorry, Wrong Number’ for a long time,” said Letherer. “What I think is interesting is that each of them in some way deals with a breakdown in communication due to a breakdown in technology.”
All of the shows are backed by sponsors, such as Jiffy Mix, with vintage radio-style commercials written by students involved in the production.
Mystery Radio Theater allows drama students to use shorter scripts while maintaining a full-length show. The production will also help to expand the students' vocal performance repertoire. Letherer hopes to continue producing Mystery Radio Theater throughout the coming years, adding that evangelicals have a long history of vocal performance. She advises students, faculty and staff to keep their eyes peeled for the “Shadow” from “Death Stalks the Shadow,” who will be making appearances on campus in coming weeks.
The Thursday and Friday performances will begin at 8:00 p.m. and the Saturday evening performance will begin at 9:00 p.m. There will also be a 3:00 p.m. matinee performance on Saturday, Oct. 31, which is reserved for the retirement community. To reserve seats, call the SAU box office at 517.750.6500 or extension 1500 on campus.
Article provided by English major, senior Chuck Monahan from Hudson.