A Radio Christmas Carol
RiR #29, Season 08, Episode 03
December 24, 2020
Our community holiday tradition continues
Re-Imagined Radio presents Metropolitan Performing Arts actors and other community volunteers performing "A Radio Christmas Carol." COVID precautions prevent a live performance. So, instead, we offer a special, two-hour broadcast and live stream by KXRW.FM (Vancouver, WA) and KXRY.FM (XRAY.FM, Portland, OR).
Access the episode script
Background
Following the response to the October 30, 1938 radio adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel The War of the Worlds, Campbell Soup became the sponsor for Mercury Theatre on the Air. The program name was changed to The Campbell Playhouse. The first performance under this new name was "Rebecca," December 9, 1938. The Christmas episode, December 24, 1939, is the basis for this performance by Re-Imagined Radio and Metropolitan Performing Arts.
Production
Contents
This performance of "A Radio Christmas Carol" is based on the December 24, 1939 episode of The Campbell Playhouse starring Lionel Barrymore as Edeneezer Scrooge, Orson Welles as the narrator, and other members of the former Mercury Theatre on the Air. Their performance was an adaptation of the Charles Dickens' novella, A Christmas Carol, first published December 19, 1843, and never out of print since.
Cast
Julie Steinbrenner as Narrator
Jeffrey Puukka as Ebenezer Scrooge
Will Johnson as Bob Cratchit and 2nd Man
Kristen Heller as Charity Gentleman
Greg Shilling as Nephew Fred and Tiny Tim
Jason Weed as Ghost of Marley, Ghost of Christmas Present, Fezziwig, Man on Street, and 1st Man
Barbara Richardson as Ghost of Christmas Past and Goose Person
Kristin Heller as Belle, Kristin Heller, and Begger on Street
Will Johnson as Young Scrooge
Barbara Richardson as Martha Cratchit
Ghost of Christmas Future (a non-speaking part)
Credits
Directed by Barbara Richardson
Sound Design by John F. Barber
Post Production by Martin John Gallagher
Social Media and Graphic Design by Holly Slocum
Produced and Directed by John F. Barber
Significance
This is the eighth year offering "A Radio Christmas Carol" as a community performance. And the fourth year Re-Imagined Radio collaborated with Metropolitan Performing Arts, based in Vancouver, Washington, to offer a community performance of "A Christmas Carol." This was our first year to offer this performance remotely.
Producer's Notes
Because COVID pandemic safety regulations prohibit public gatherings, this the first time Re-Imagined
Radio does not offer its annual live holiday community performance. Instead we remotely produced and
recorded a two-hour special performance to be broadcast and live streamed by our community radio
partners.
— John F. Barber
Promotion
Press
WSU Vancouver Partners with Re-Imagined Radio for Holiday Tradition→ The Reflector, 18 Dec. 2020.
Re-Imagined Radio Performances→ Visit Vancouver USA, 11 Dec. 2020.
Hewitt, Scott. For Clark County Performing Groups, The Show Must Go On(line)→ The Columbian, 3 Dec. 2020, pp. B1, B5.
Graphics
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