A smooth-talking newspaper editor uses every trick in the bo ok to keep his ace reporter/ex-wife from remarrying in the Fred Crafts’ Ra dio Redux production of hit comedy “His Girl Friday” on February 8-10 at t he Wildish Community Theater in Springfield.
\n“His Girl Friday” wil l be performed live on stage as a classic radio program\, complete with li ve and recorded sound effects\, period commercials and a stellar cast of n ine actors\, for one weekend only – at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 and 9 and at 2 p.m . Feb. 10 in the intimate Wildish Theater\, 630 Main St.\, Springfield.
\nTickets – from $11-$18 (including all fees) – are available from the Wildish Theater box office at (541) 868-0689 or online at www.wildishthea ter.com. The show is suitable for all ages.
\nOne of the greatest s crewball comedies ever\, “His Girl Friday” ranks in the Top 20 of the Amer ican Film Institute’s “100 years…100 Laughs” list.
\nRadio Redux’s p roduction was adapted by director/producer Fred Crafts from a Lux Radio Th eater program broadcast on the CBS Radio Network on Sept. 30\, 1940\, whic h in turn was based on a Columbia Pictures film starring Cary Grant and Ro salind Russell\, which was adapted from the 1928 stage play “The Front Pag e.”
\n“Noted for its rapid-fire dialogue\, ‘His Girl Friday’ has one goofy situation after another and one of the oiliest characters you’ll ev er meet\,” says producer/director Fred Crafts. “It’s a full-out romp.”
\nThe fun begins when hard-boiled newspaper editor Walter Burns learns that his ex-wife and former star reporter\, Hildy Johnson\, is about to ma rry bland insurance man Bruce Baldwin and settle down to a quiet life.
\nBurns bolts into action to sabotage her plans by enticing the relucta nt Hildy to cover one last story – the impending execution of convicted mu rderer Earl Williams. Then\, to get her fiancé out of the way\, Burns gets him arrested repeatedly on phony charges.
\nHildy begins to wilt wh en Williams escapes from the bumbling sheriff and practically falls into h er lap. With a big story on her hands\, she gives Bruce a cold shoulder\, and he leaves town with his mother even as Hildy’s scoop is bringing down a corrupt sheriff and mayor – which leads to a whiz-bang Hollywood ending.
\nKim Donahey stars as ace reporter Hildy Johnson\, while Dan Pegod a plays wily editor Walter Burns and Donald Aday costars as jilted fiancé Bruce Baldwin.
\nPlaying multiple roles are Radio Redux veterans Ach illes Masshos (Earl Williams\, Mayor Bliss)\, Frank Muhr (Sheriff Hartwell \, Duffy)\, Steve Wehmeier (Pat McCue\, Joe Pettibone)\, Sandy Silverthorn e (Jimmy Murphy\, Roy Bensinger)\, Judi Weinkauf (Mollie Molloy\, Trixie\, Sally) and Ellen Chace (Mrs. Baldwin\, Maziie). Altogther\, 21 characters are created.
\nFred Crafts’ Radio Redux\, a Wildish Community Theat er resident company and a regular guest on KLCC Radio’s “Front Porch Revue ” program\, is a Eugene-based repertory theater company specializing in he ritage radio programs.
\nCritics have called Radio Redux’s shows “wo nderful” and patrons have said its shows are “excellent … great fun … prof essional\, entertaining\, and a great experience.”
\n“His Girl Frida y\, ” presented by the WillamalanePark and Recreation District\, is the th ird production in Radio Redux’s fourth season. The troupe will perform “Ra dio Daze\,” a compendium of classic radio shows\, on April 12-14.
\nMore information about Radio Redux is at https://www.facebook.com/radiored ux.
\n DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20130208T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20130208T220000 LOCATION:630 Main Street\, Springfield\, OR 97477\, USA RRULE:FREQ=DAILY;UNTIL=20130210T075959Z SUMMARY:RADIO REDUX PLANS SCREWBALL COMEDY URL:http://www.kezi.com/ai1ec_event/radio-redux-plans-screwball-comedy/?ins tance_id= END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR