Old-Time Radio Comes To The Stage

By AMY DAVIS

The Progress

In their final play of the season, ten VVHS theatre students took to the stage last week in a fantastic performance of “Radio Suspense Theater: Episode one” written by Steve Clegberg.

This cheeky depression-era comedy was performed on the VVHS stage April 7-9 and featured a show within a show.

In this student-directed piece, the play showcases characters preparing to perform on air for a radio show. Complete with musical numbers, two radio melodramas and hilarious commercials in between stories, this young cast of high school kids delivered some high class entertainment.

The first act of the play featured a haunted mansion, an affair and a husband who is trying to get his wife committed to an insane asylum and out of his hair.

The second act is about a case of mistaken identity when a blind gentleman gets kidnapped by the mob. With the help of his highly tuned senses and an undercover female agent, he not only escapes but falls in love as well.
“Radio Suspense Theater: Episode One” was directed by senior Lydia Wakefield, under the supervision of theater teacher, Kelly Zarndt.

Wakefield explained that after auditioning for the show, Zarndt approached her with the opportunity to direct it as well. She accepted.

Wakefield ran rehearsals, planned costuming and lighting, gave stage directions and made sure students knew their lines.
“The hardest part was finding the little sounds we needed to use as sound effects for the radio show.” Wakefield said.

Wakefield has participated in several plays throughout her high school career. She had the lead role in Radium Girls that VVHS debuted earlier this year. When asked if she liked being an actress or director better, Wakefield said, “It was super fun and different performing as a director, but I definitely like acting better. It is more of an adrenaline rush.”

“It is totally freeing to have a student director because I get to just come in and sit and watch and correct or maneuver a few things,” Zarndt said. “But I don’t have to worry about every single detail. Lydia took care of everything and it was wonderful.”

VVHS normally only produces two plays a year and this time they did three. “Because these last two plays were back to back, it was really necessary to have Lydia do what she did,” explained Zarndt.

The fun loving cast included freshman Josh Matthews who played the socially awkward Morty Sparks.
“I got to play a technician who became star struck when he saw a big star enter his work space,” Matthews said. “He doesn’t know how to speak to her but desperately wants to.”

“I feel like my role was pretty accurate to real life since I normally stumble over my words and say the same inelegant things over and over again,” Matthews added.

One of Matthews’ most favorite lines was when he got to tell the diva in the play, “I’m so stupid I probably cook with Old Spice.”

Emily Anderson played Lois Lang and sang a duet near the end of the second act. She also appeared in productions of “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Radium Girls” at VVHS.
“This play was so different because we didn’t have to memorize the whole script,” Anderson said. “Since it was a ‘radio show’ we got to read on stage. It took a lot of the stress off.”

Anderson and Matthews shared a favorite moment in the play that is worthy of the blooper reel. During their duet, Wakefield was playing a male piano player who accompanies their duet. Mid-song, Wakefield’s mustache fell off onto the piano causing the kids to break character for a moment with laughter before finishing the song, “Put your head on my shoulder.”

Well done Virgin Valley High School! Thank you for sharing your time and your talents with the community.