Do your own radio show

Ruyasonic site has plenty of stuff about how to create radio theater. It's author and compiler, Tony Palermo, a modern day old time sound man. Sounds ironic, but Tony has resurrected what many thought had died in the 50s. Maybe no single handedly but his talents have definitely caught the attention of some folks on the west coast. Just look at his schedule the past few years. He's even working with Erc Idle on a kind of radio show with live sound effects. Goes to show you that sound will be with us even if things go virtual reality. I've learned much from his site.

First Creative Planning Meeting

Just had the first writers meeting for the show last week. We want to get a jump on the show this year; make it better and funnier. I have a general framework for the main part (i.e. Frostbite Falls story.) and we have in the works a gameshow again and perhaps a type of talent contest a la American idol.
I also suggested having an art showing in the lobby to involve more visual artists.
My goal is to have a majority of the script done by mid October.

Date set for 2008 show

In a move to improve on planning and making the show a smashing success, a date has been set for the 2008 radio show.
Saturday December 13, 2008
Time: TBD
Location: 608 Main Ave, Fargo, ND

With all this planning happening, I was also pondering whether or not to take the show on the road to Morris. Who knows, I'd need a bit of production help to pull that off.

We want more...

The show may be over but you can listen to it to your hearts desire. Follow this link to the MP3 recording of the complete show. Hopefully we will have a poll up and running for best sketch of the 2007 show.

The tools of a sound effects performer

Here's the SFX table from the show.

Cover the Earth with Sour Kraut

Sponsorship sign from 2007 show for the Sour Kraut Council. Created by Andrea Rooney. Eat Sour Kraut its good food!

It's over...

I hadn't been this stressed out by the Radio Show ever but at last it is over and now I've got time to relax and to think about other things.

With lots of last minute things having to be done, a partial dress rehearsal, and a leak in the ceiling, there still was a great turnout on Saturday night and the cast and crew did a great job.

If you missed the show you can download the MP3 (duration ~1 hour 35 minutes).

Special recognition goes out to James G (that's him on the left). He helped out a lot in the last 24 hours before the show to ensure we had a decent set. He definitely gets a hero award. I would also nominate Matt B. for heroism for coming in on short notice and doing a grand job performing the roles of Annoucer and Glyndon Dilworth. Andrea R. also deserves some credit for doing our live sound effects without ever having a chance to practice them (she also has the best cast picture on the cast board).

Perhaps I should let the readers determine this year's best segment of the show. I'll get to work on that. Look for pictures going up soon.

Less than a week away

Winter has ascended in a major way this past week, but nevertheless the show must go.
The script is complete and we have been through 3 rehearsals. Only 2 left before show time.
Unfortunately we had 2 problems crop up in that time. One I was able to salvage and the other I am still awaiting the solution to be supplied. Basically its for another performer since one of the original cast had to drop out. This just means more time to develop patience and perseverance.
Set building will commence the end of the week.

HCC Christmas Radio Production

A Nutcracker, My Sweet
Saturday 15 December
608 Main Avenue

7:00 PM
Free Admission

Script is finally complete!

Yes, the script is done. I have been slaving over it for weeks. It was partially complete at the kick off but I finished it at a half hour into December at Inspiration Point.
Basically I mashed The Gift of the Magi with The Maltese Falcon. I guarantee you will like it.

2007 Performance date set

Mark your calendars because the HCC Radio Show is less than a month a way
December 15, 7:00 PM @ Harvest Community Church (HCC) [map].

Kick-Off meeting will be November 27, 2007 at the HCC.

No title yet but it will include mystery and intrigue brought to you by Rinzo and a host of other remarkable sponsors you may never have heard. Securing sponsorships is pretty difficult ;)

To get into the spirit of the season why not download some old Christmas radio shows.

Radio Show 2007

We're in pre-production phase for the radio show. Not much else to speak of except to expect some surprises. But who really expects those?

Another set of pictures

Radio ventriloquists at their best.

Jenn in plays the drawling truck driving Mother Hubbard.

More pictures

"You better eat your sour kraut, dear."

"Did you pack a pistol?" "Oh no, I left it in my other pants pocket."

On with the show- cast member Nathan and Jamie

Nathan responding to Jamie from moment in the Boring People Anonymous sketch or I could be wrong and its from the Jingle Bells Rinzo spot.

Clean and Smelly- Rinzo gets the dirt work done

In honor of sour kraut

Have some sour kraut, its good food.
Let's all get in a sour kraut mood !

On with the show

608 Main Ave in Fargo is home to the Rinzo Radio Theater (on Sundays it also the the place where Harvest Community Church meets)
The space can probably seat 80 but we have never really tried to pack them so perhaps it could be more. I am usure how many came to the show this year but I estimate it was upwards of 30. Yeah, that seems small to some but we even had a family come all the way from France to see the show. I hope they were not disappointed.

Brought to you by....

Rinzo, the only detergent that gets your clothes clean and smelly, proudly sponsored the show this year. They even offered to launder all the audience members' clothes after the show. Many did not participate.

At just under 2 hours this was perhaps the longest show to date. Photographer Phil has taken numerous pictures of the performance and many of those shots will be posted here.

Jesse lent a hand and ear and did a fine job ensuring all the music and recorded sfx were co-ordinated with the script. He also created a digital recording which we hope to make available to any interested parties to share with friends and family. Sorry Rinzo samples no longer available.

5 more days

With 2 rehearsals left and 5 more days until this year's performance, we are in crunch time. Fortunately I received good reports from the other crews- especially technical in which I was not sure a "backdrop" was going to be made. An even bigger treat is that the show will be recorded so there may be CDs made to be passed around to friends and family.
Speaking of people, from the reports of others I surmise there will be an influx of audience members this year. This is definitely encouraging. Although radio theater does not necessarily need to be viewed to be enjoyed, make sure get there early to get a good seat. This is sure to be an evening you don't want to miss.

Here's a few sneak peaks:
- Once again Riparian Bird Habitats brings you all the latest birding news including a bird identification contest. Don't worry this is funny yet informative.
-A salute to sour kraut.
-And of course show regulars Balty and Geraldine plus Sven tells 2 jokes this year.

Fun, Food, Funny, Free.
Saturday 16 December- 8PM
608 Main Ave

Less than 2 weeks

In less than 2 weeks From Here to Epiphany or Who Moved My Fruitcake will premiere. In that time there will be 3 rehearsals, many posters hung, spaces decorated, one set built, numerous refreshments made and obtained. The time will be a dense as fruitcake. And speaking of fruitcake, fruitcake will have a large part is this year's show.
<--- Aric portrays Balty, a fruitcake lover.
Curious... come out to 608 Main Ave in Downtown Fargo at 8PM on December 16th and find out who moved the fruitcake.