Christmas is coming a little earlier than usual to Jonesy. A lot of us are going through difficult times, and we can all use a little Christmas spirit. What better way than our own holiday tradition, re-airing Willamette Radio Workshop’s “A Radio Christmas Carol”, which I happen to think is right up there with the best versions of Charles Dickens’ classic tale.
This year’s broadcast is bittersweet. Willamette Radio Workshop’s founder and artistic director, Sam A. Mowry, passed away last summer. Sam was a great friend and supporter of KBOO and the radio theater community in Portland. He was a mentor to many of us, and we miss him dearly. Fortunately, his work lives on. Radio waves are forever.
The performance we’ll be hearing was recorded live on-stage at First Christian Church in Portland, Oregon in front of a live audience. and was adapted by Cynthia McGean from the Charles Dickens story and the Campbell Playhouse version. The cast includes Tim McKennie, James Dineen, Greg Alexander, Alan King, Cynthia McGean, Renee Boutin King, Mary Thomas, and Sam A. Mowry. The Holly Jolly Radio Choir, under the direction of Bennett Bailey, perform the live music and carols. And it was all recorded and mastered by D. Neil Blake.
So, in the spirit of the season, we bring you Willamette Radio Workshop’s “A Radio Christmas Carol”, which is already in progress.
- KBOO