HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE -- Hot Springs Village Players plan to bring to life those great days of classic slapstick comedy, with the likes of Abbott and Costello, on stage in "Old Time Radio Theatre," directed by Glenn Calloway, in March 2019.
The show will run March 22-24 at the Coronado Center, and March 29-31 at Bathhouse Dinner Theater. Auditions are set to be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 5 and 1-4 p.m. Jan. 6.
"Old Time Radio Theatre" is a "delicious combination" of sketches, including "Who's on First with Abbott and Costello," "Station KuKu," "The Bickersons," and "My Friend Irma," a news release said. In all, the cast will number 19, with some cast members playing double roles. The show will feature original old-time commercials and music to add to the ambience and the set, creatively designed by Michael Valdstein, is an old broadcast studio of the 1930s, set inside an old-time radio, it said.
Sketches and characters include:
• "Who's On First" -- In this well-known comedy skit by Abbott and Costello about baseball, Abbott confuses Costello with the nicknames of the baseball players. The actors need not look like or sound like Abbott or Costello but must have the energy, attitude and comic timing of Abbott and Costello.
• "The Bickersons" -- A bickering married couple who love each other anyway.
• "Station Kuku" -- Characters include Weems, with radio announcer voice, with a staid-effect formal delivery; Horse-Foley man, who sounds like a horse; Porter, a stuffy Englishman; Mrs. Pennyfeather, a radio cook show host who becomes gradually intoxicated during the show; Louie and Gorilla, both Damon Runyon's "Guys and Dolls" type crooks; Nurse, with a condescending attitude; and the rather sarcastic Ambrosia.
• "My Friend Irma" -- Jane, a down-to-earth character who plays straight man for Irma; Irma the wacky, ditsy big-hearted central character; Professor Kropotkin, a silly funny guy with an accent; Mrs. O'Reilly, a take-charge woman with an Irish accent; Al, Irma's fast-talking boyfriend; Christmas Carolers; Steve, Jane's sincere boyfriend; the Ticket Taker; the Captain; Bugsy, another Damon Runyon-type crook; the Watchman; and Sarge. Several roles are doubled by cast members.
Visit http://www.HSVPlayers.org or https://www.facebook.com/hsvplayers/ for more information.
Entertainment on 12/10/2018