Rehearsals Underway for "The 1940's Radio Hour"

The show is cast and rehearsals have begun for Port Washington Play Troupe's summer production, "The 1940's Radio Hour," which will perform July 18-20 and 25-27 at the Landmark on Main Street in Port Washington, with the July 20 performance benefiting the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults.

"The 1940's Radio Hour" is a play with music, telling the story of a small radio station, WOV, that has gathered to record a Christmas broadcast for the troops overseas. The show features many of the era's most famous and beloved songs (from "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" to "Strike Up the Band" to "I'll Never Smile Again," among others.) And while the station is small, its heart is large. It certainly suffers no shortage of colorful characters.

The company includes familiar faces from Play Troupe's production of "GREASE" last summer. Rich Jacques plays the velvet-voiced crooner, Johnny Cantone. Kim Kaiman plays bubbly waitress-turned-singer Ginger Brooks. Ken Young plays spotlight-hungry Neal Tilden, a performer hoping for a featured slot. Rhonda Kahane plays the brassy soul singer, Geneva Lee Browne. Rob Gold plays Lou Cohn, who runs the show and all the sound effects. And Robert Cass plays Clifton, the comically-overworked station manager.

New faces this summer include Christopher Falcioni, who plays enthusiastic Yale student BJ Gibson, and Jenna Kahane (daughter of Rhonda Kahane) in the role of the energetic bobbysoxer, Connie Miller. Karen Keenan plays the classy and truly classic songbird, Ann Collier. Liam Marsigliano plays Wally Fergusson, a young, eager talent looking for his big break. Christopher Rogers plays Biff Baker, a young musician and true patriot. And finally, Gary Noren plays Pops Bailey, the crotchety guy who minds the stage door (and works as a bookie using the radio station's telephone).

The production also sees some returning Play Troupers in new roles. Longtime musical director and board member David Barnett appears as the story's actual bandleader, Zoot Doubleman (he'll both serve as musical director for the show and play the part on stage). Children's Show Director and Play Troupe VP Diana vonRoeschlaub, who appeared onstage in "GREASE" last year, serves as Assistant Director. And Tim Lavelle, who has spearheaded everything from stage management to set construction and prop sourcing/fabrication on recent projects, will appear as WOV staff member Stanley, who rules the station's control booth.

Under the steady hand of returning director Brian E. Long, the stage looks set for another wonderful show.

"The 1940's Radio Hour" is a production of Port Washington Play Troupe, New York State's oldest chartered amateur theater company, with support from the Peter & Jeri Dejana Family Foundation. Presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

More information at www.portwashingtonplaytroupe.com.

The 1940's Radio Hour