Dutch Village theater seeks seniors for ‘1940’s Radio Hour’

Staff report

COLUMBIANA

Dutch Village Inn theater is seeking seniors (age 55 and up) who have acted professionally or in community theater to audition for a production of “1940’s Radio Hour,” a Broadway musical with a holiday theme that will be performed Dec. 15 and 16.

“We thought it would be an entertaining idea to perform this 1940s musical and to have all of the parts played by local talented seniors,” said Rose Conrad, the show’s producer. “It will give an outlet to vibrant seniors who are still out there performing and contributing their talents to the community.”

“1940’s Radio Hour,” by writer-composer Walton Jones, ran on Broadway in the 1970’s and depicts the final live holiday broadcast of the “Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade” on a New York radio station, from the Hotel Astor’s Algonquin Room. “It’s full of 1940s music, dancing and old- time sound effects,” said Conrad.

Songs in the musical include “That Old Black Magic,” “Blue Moon,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “I Got A Gal From Kalamazoo,” “I’ll Be Seeing You,” and many others, along with Christmas songs.

Singing roles are available for 10 men and four women. Actors who are cast should be comfortable with light choreography.

Auditions are being held at the inn, 150 E. state Route 14, Sept. 22 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Sept. 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Those auditioning should be prepared to perform a short song (no accompaniment required) and read from the script.

For information, contact Conrad or Erich Offenburg, the director of the show, at 866-482-5050, ext. 412 or go to dasdutchvillage.com.