Laugh Your Dial Off
Season 05, Episode 02
September 27, 2017
Classic Old Time Radio comedy sketches
Re-Imagined Radio presents Willamette Radio Workshop actors and other community volunteers performing skits from Old Time Radio comedians Jack Benny, Fibber McGee and Molly, Abbot and Costello, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, and W.C. Fields at Kiggins Theatre, Vancouver, Washington.
The Golden Age of Radio may be long gone, but it's still hilarious. Willamette Radio Workshop performs old-time radio scripts live on stage — complete with special audio effects and other theatrical magic. This comedy showcase features snappy, silly material from the kings of Old Time Radio comedy, along with genuine radio commercials of the day.
Access the episode script
Background
A live performance by Willamette Radio Workshop, directed by Sam A. Mowry. Samples from skits by Jack Benny, Fibber McGee and Molly, Abbot and Costello, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, and W.C. Fields, the kings of Old Time Radio comedy. Streamed live by Gerald Gaule who operates American Senior Radio Network.
Production
Contents
Old Time Radio comedy skits by Jack Benny, Fibber McGee, Molly, Abbott and Costello, Edgar Bergen, Charlie McCarthy, and W.C. Fields.
Credits
Directed by Sam A. Mowry
Promotional Graphics by Sam A. Mowry
Produced and Hosted by John F. Barber
Sound Design/Original Music Composition/Post Production: Sam A. Mowry, Marc Rose, Martin J. Gallagher
Significance
This performance celebrates the humor and artistry of classic radio comedy, bringing audiences back to a time when families gathered around their radios for entertainment. The show features authentic period commercials alongside the comedy sketches, demonstrating the advertising style and cultural touchstones of the era.
Producer's Notes
Live performance at Kiggins Theatre, Vancouver, Washington.
Audience count: 133.
This production showcases the timeless appeal of Old Time Radio comedy and demonstrated the theatrical
magic of live radio performance, complete with sound effects and period atmosphere.
— John F. Barber
Promotion
Radio Interview
Radio interview with host Ken Jones and Sam A. Mowry, artistic director of Willamette Radio Workshop, on Mr. Jones's Neighborhood, KBOO FM Radio, Portland, Oregon, September 29, 2017.
Press
Hewitt, Scott. Save
the Date: Spooky Stories, Nature's Bounty, More Dot Calendar→. The
Columbian, 16 Sep. 2017.
The Golden Age of Radio may be long gone, but it's still hilarious—and now, you can watch as well
as listen. Willamette Radio Workshop, a Portland group that performs old-time radio scripts live on
stage—complete with special audio effects and other theatrical magic—will bring a comedy
showcase called "Laugh Your Dial Off" to downtown Vancouver's Kiggins Theatre at 7 p.m. Sept. 27. In
addition to snappy, silly material from the likes of Jack Benny, Fibber McGee and Molly, Abbot and
Costello and W.C. Fields, there'll be genuine radio commercials of the day—"so true and yet so
funny," according to Re-Imagined Radio, a project at Washington State University Vancouver that brings
these performances to the Kiggins. Doors open at 6 p.m. Sept. 27 at 1101 Main Street, Vancouver.
Suggestion donation is $5. Visit www.kigginstheatre.net/events/re-imagined-radio.
Peru, Alex. Local
Radio Broadcaster Provides Unique Listening Service. Clark County Today, 10 Sep.
2017.
Interview with Gerald Gaule who operates American Senior Radio Network and live streams Re-Imagined
Radio performances.
Laugh Your Dial Off. North Bank Now, 25 Sep. 2017.
Graphics
