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Overview

Synopsis

Welcome to the chaotic world of New York radio station WOV! It’s the final broadcast of the Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade, a show for American soldiers serving overseas during World War Two. Harassed manager Clifton A. Feddington tries to keep his performers in order and get through the broadcast without too many catastrophes. However, that is easier said than done! With a drunken, Sinatra-esque lead singer, a delivery boy with theatrical aspirations, and a talented trumpeter preparing to leave New York’s big band scene and fight overseas, it’s a challenge just to get to the end of the show. Full of big band classics, jitterbugging, and old-fashioned, live sound effects, The 1940s Radio Hour takes a swinging trip to a bygone era, bringing the audience along for the ride!

Show Information

Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1979
Genres
Comedy
Settings
Period, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
A studio in WOV Radio, New York City, December, 1942
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
Some Dance
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Adult, Young Adult, Late Teen Characters, Large Cast

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Clifton A. Feddington

Lead

Male

Baritone

Ann Collier

Supporting

Female

Alto

Johnny Cantone

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Ginger Brooks

Supporting

Female

Alto

Geneva Lee Browne

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Neal Tilden

Supporting

Male

Baritone

B.J. Gibson

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Connie Miller

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Pops Bailey

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Lou Cohn

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Biff Baker

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone

Wally Ferguson

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Stanley

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Zoot Doubleman

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Ensemble / WOV Orchestra

Ensemble

Either Gender

Silent

Songs

  • 1. “(I Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo” – Clifton, Chorus
  • 2. “Kalamazoo Playoff” – Instrumental
  • 3. “Pepsi Cola” – Neal, B.J., Connie, Ginger (with sounds performed by Lou)
  • 4. “Daddy” – Connie, The Band
  • 4a. “WOV Station #1” – Choir
  • 5. “Love Is Here to Stay” – Johnny
  • 6. “Black Magic” – Ann
  • 7. “Ain’t She Sweet” – Biff, All
  • 7a. “Comedy Routine 1 & 2” – Instrumental
  • 8. “How About You?” – B.J., Connie
  • 9. “Blue Moon” – Neal
  • 10. “Chiquita Banana” – All Girls
  • 11. “Rose of the Rio Grande” – Geneva, Men & The Band
  • 12. “I’ll Never Smile Again” – Johnny, Quintet (Neal, B.J., Ann, Ginger, Connie)
  • 13. “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” – B.J., Connie, Ginger
  • 14. “Servel Electrolux” – Instrumental
  • 15. “Blues in the Night” – Ginger, Men
  • 16. “Jingle Bells” – All (except Johnny)
  • 17. “I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good)” – Geneva
  • 18. “You Go to My Head” – B.J.
  • 19. “The Five O’Clock Whistle” – Connie, The Band
  • 20. “Mysterious Curtains” – Instrumental
  • 21. “WOV Station #2” – Choir
  • 22. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Ann
  • 23. “Strike Up the Band” – Full Company
  • 24. “I’ll Be Seeing You” – Full Company
  • 25. “Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade” – Full Company

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher