Feature of the Month

Variety Club Poligrip Radio Hour Transports Us to the 1940s

By Debra Friedman, photos by Kip Isbell and Fred Lake

Casta del Sol was treated to another excellent Variety Club production a script from the conclusion of the Maltese Falcon. Interspersed with the directed and written by Bear Sanchez and Barb Turino. The Poligrip Radio Hour promised to “transport viewers back to the golden age of radio in the 1940s.” Performed on the evening of November 18 and the afternoon of November 19, to a full house of residents and guests, the promise was fulfilled.

The premise of the show was that the KSML Radio Show producer (Barb Turino), announcer (Mark Schwartz), and stage manager (Debra Friedman) were in constant panic trying to handle the fact that many of their star players were sidelined by traffic, illness, booking other gigs, etc. Therefore, janitors, stagehands, security guards, and even some “audience” members were called on to fill in. The chaos behind the scenes lent a sense of hilarity to the proceedings.

Viewers were treated to 1940s songs, including Apple Tree, In the Mood, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Sixteen Tons, Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah, and Jambalaya. There was an original melodrama replete with zany sound effects, a dramatic reading by Liz Rickett, and readings and songs were commercials from that era such as Yuban Coffee, Poligrip Dental Adhesive, Old Gold Cigarettes, Ipana Toothpaste, and Oxydol Detergent. One of the highlights of the show was Seth Sethna filling in for the Irish Dr. O’Malley as the “Love Guru” answering audience questions. Although the 1940s predates many of us, we could all relate to the costuming, setting, and mood of that era. Others in the cast included singers: Joe Hart, Phil Naideth, Larry Kromling, Sara Henninger, Linda Donohoe, and actors: Richard Scott, Patti Castro, Sherry Hargrove, Carol Altemus, and Sandy Norian. With Parizad Sethna on Foley, Janine Shannon and Scott Walker on sound, and Carol Burke playing the piano, the Variety Club secured a fantastic group who worked hard to pull off this ambitious endeavor. After a well-deserved rest, the Variety Club will start preparing for future shows. The audience members are anxious to see the next venture for this very energetic and talented club.

Debra Friedman tap dancing to Old Gold Cigarette Commercial. (Photo by Fred Lake)

Joe Hart as Janitor singing 16 Tons. (Photo by Fred Lake) Entire Cast and Stage Crew. (Photo by Kip Isbell)

Announcer Mark Schwartz and Producer Barb Turino. (Photo by Kip Isbell) Stagehands, Janitors, and Security Guards. (Photo by Kip Isbell)

Singing Trio: Sara Henninger, Carol Altemus, and Linda Donohoe. (Photo by Kip Isbell) Cast Finale: Chattanooga Choo Choo. (Photo by Fred Lake)

Parizad and Seth Sethna on Foley. (Photo by Fred Lake)