Twin City Radio Theatre performs classic radio thrillers before an audience.
The King University Theater Department's Twin City Radio Theatre present an evening of adventure, suspense and laughter, as they perform two classic radio thrillers before a live audience. The double feature includes "Where You May Be" and "Dark Grey Magic" with performances Feb. 12-13 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 14, Valentine's Day, at 2:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Theatre on King University's main campus in Bristol, Tenn.
The Twin City Radio Theatre, under the artistic direction of Christopher Slaughter, associate professor and chair of the theatre department at King University, brings the magic of old-time radio to the live stage.
"There is a revival of interest in old-time radio theatre," says Slaughter. "And thanks to the pervasiveness of digital technology in our homes and on the go, audiences are listening to dramatic narrative again - as we see with popular podcasts such as "Night Vale' and "Serial.' The Internet has helped us re-discover older forms of broadcast storytelling."
The radio drama, "Wherever You May Be," is from the popular series "X Minus One," which holds the record as one of the longest running science fiction series produced for radio. "Wherever You May Be" was first heard on June 26, 1956, over the NBC Radio Network.
"The story is a clever twist on the "country girl falls in love with the city slicker' romantic comedy scenario. However, this time around, the country girl may be more than our clueless bachelor has bargained for," says Slaughter. "It is a really nice romantic comedy with a supernatural twist."
The production, "Wherever You May Be," features freshman Natasha Gilbert as Abby Jenkins, junior Alex Campbell as Matthew Wright, and Phillip "Smiley" Mueller of King's Class of 2015 as Pa Jenkins, the host for the show.
"We are excited to have Smiley back with us for this production," says Slaughter. "We hope to continue the tradition of King alumni as well as members of the community participating in future productions."
The evening closes with the suspense comedy "Dark Grey Magic," which was originally broadcast on May 5, 1949, on the popular Mutual Broadcasting Network series, "Quiet Please." "Dark Grey Magic" tells of the hilarious misadventures of a man who unwittingly conjures a mischievous demon named Boj.
"Dark Grey Magic" includes performances by senior Natasha Trombly, sophomore Cody Davidson and junior James Laxton.
Tickets for the double feature are $5 general admission and free for King University students, faculty and staff with a King University ID. Tickets are available at the door one hour before each performance. Seating is limited and, due to the staging, audience members cannot be seated once the performance begins. For more information, call 423-652-4800
