It was another hot summer day as I wound my way through weekend traffic to the Avalon Theater in Easton, for another experience in radio magic with Radio from Downtown. It had been nearly two years since I was part of this live radio production carefully created and crafted by Van Williamson, and I was excited to be returning to the cast.
A lot had changed since my days on stage with Van and the crew. A new location, a new name, now Radio From Downtown, instead of Radio Free Delmarva, and a "taped" live performance. But the energy and excitement was still the same. I walked into the coolness of the Avalon Theater and was greeted by familiar faces, a flurry of activity, and a theater that I immediately loved. For those of you who haven't yet been inside the Avalon, it was built in 1921 and restored in 1987 complete with its uniquely ornate art deco charm. It's small and intimate, graced with a balcony and procenium stage, and is perfect for a wide variety of performing arts.
I was eagerly anticipating my role as a Hurlock bar singer named Velveeta in the radio drama I was to perform in, a brand new episode of "Bif Delmar, Detective At Sea." It was "The Case Of The Bingo Bad Boys", and I had been working on putting a sway in my hips and a creaminess in my voice to give life to the complex yet painfully simple creature Velveeta, who thinks the ultimate dream is to retire to a place with real class...like Ocean City.
Other members of the Downtown Players were sitting back, watching as sound technicians carefully checked levels, unwound cables and shot occasional feedback throughout the theater. Van, as usual, was orchestrating everything from stage, patient in his perfectionism.
Rehearsal was slow. In radio, of course, everything hinges on 'sound' and "The Case of the Bad Bingo Boys" was loaded with sound effects. For example, the snapping sound of playing cards being thrown through air, as if into a hat...human hand knocking on metal...sound of rusty door squeaking open. The Roach Boys, Greg and Spencer, worked magic from a table set up behind the players to create all the ambiance called for. Meanwhile, Jim Smith, sitting outside the door in his portable production van, mixed sound and added a few effects of his own. A cart sticks. There's a hum in the mikes. A cue is late. The afternoon turns into early evening before Van is satisfied with how it all works.
And that's only for the radio drama. The show runs two hours. Other performers and guests arrive, waiting to run through what they will be doing and where they must be at what time. Stage Manager Alexis Henderson paces nervously at the back of the theater, trying to catch Van's eye and guide it to her watch. Show time is nearing.
Somehow, it all falls together into that wonderful mixture of a "live" show. And, it's such fun. Velveeta didn't have to be 'on- stage' until the second half of the show, so I went up to the balcony to enjoy watching.
Swing Shift played on stage as the audience filtered in, setting an easy mood. When the show started, Alexis got the crowd rowdy and involved by having them respond to cue cards that give directions like, "CHEER", or "BOO." Van guided the audience through the show with his wit and instincts for conducting interviews. The Denise Carlson/Linda Kapusciarz Duo mesmorized us with violin and cello, and filled every corner of the theater with the sweetness of Bach.
Helen Chappell, author of "The Oysterback Tales" charmed us with stories of ourselves and life here on the Eastern Shore. Bittercreek got our feet stomping with their grassroots music. And Thomas Looker, author of "The Sound and the Story - NPR and the Art of Radio" gave us an inside look at a fascinating industry. And of course, the hit of the night, "The Bellows Babe" complete with fifties attire and flying fingers uplifted spirits with her accordion.
Finally, it was time to wait down in the Green Room with the other actors to be called on stage. I wobbled out on stage in my three inch heels and dress too small for an eight year old, and became the detective dame who helps Bif solve the latest crisis on Delmarva. It was a good night to be "Velveeta."
You have plenty of time to include the next performance of RFD Productions in your plans. The show, again at the Avalon, will be taped on September 16th. I hope to be a part of it, and look forward to the next fascinating tale Van and Jack Purdy will weave for the players and for the audience. We hope to see you there, or on the radio, the next time we hear those famous words, "Good evening, and welcome to Radio from Downtown..."