Christmas Celebration
Our community tradition continues.
2022 Episodes
Notice "episodes." Yes, plural. For the 2022 holiday season Re-Imagined Radio offered both live and radio episodes. Take your pick. Or pick both. Plenty of holiday cheer and celebration.
Live Performance
21 December 2022
A live performance of "A Radio Christmas Carol" at Kiggins Theatre. Re-Imagined Radio first offered "A Radio Christmas Carol" in 2013. Every year since we've offered some iteration of this classic story. We like to think it has become a community tradition, bringing joy and festivities to the seasonal holidays. This year, we were pleased to welcome back The Willamette Radio Workshop, directed by Sam A. Mowry, and The Holly Jolly Singers, directed by Bennett Bailey, for a live performance in Vancouver's historic Kiggins Theatre. Yes, the holiday magic returns.
Listen
Optimized for radio broadcast.
Credits
The Willamette Radio Workshop, directed by Sam A. Mowry
The Holly Jolly Singers, directed by Bennett Bailey
Sam A. Mowrey as Narrator, Patriarch, Portly Gent 2, Christmas Present
Chris Porter as Scrooge
Scott Jameison as Young Scrooge, Fred, Marley's Ghost
Alan King as Bob Cratchit, Businessman 2, Topper the bachelor, Undertaker
Bruce Miles as Fezziwib, Portly Gent 1, Old Joe, Businessman 1, Peter Cratchit
Renee King as Christmas Past, Mrs. Cratchit, Mrs. Dilber
Dino de AElfweald as Mrs. Fred, Laundress, Martha Cratchit, Fan
Cindy McGean as Matriarch, Boy Ebenezer, Belle, Tiny Tim, Turkey Boy
Live Foley by David Ian and Dino de AElfweald
Live Sound and Recording by Martin John Gallagher
Stage Management by Autumn Trapani
On Site Production and Magic Lantern Show by C. Christopher Hart
Understudy by Atticus Mowry
Graphics by Holly Slocum Design
Produced by John F. Barber
Background
"A Radio Christmas Carol" is our re-imagined radio adaptation of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. First published in December 1843 and never out of print since, the novel is no doubt familiar. Ebenezer Scrooge, a miser cold of heart and spirit, is tranformed by Ghosts of Christmas into a kind, generous, and compassionate man. He gives Bob Cratchit a raise and becomes a second father to Tiny Tim. The point: humanity outweighs riches, and brings redemption.
Promotion
Episode Trailer
Graphics
A Radio Christmas Carol web poster by Holly Slocum, Holly Slocum Design (240 x 356)
A Radio Christmas Carol landscape poster by Holly Slocum, Holly Slocum Design (1910 x 1080)
A Radio Christmas Carol square poster by Holly Slocum, Holly Slocum Design (2000 x 2000)
A Radio Christmas Carol full poster by Holly Slocum, Holly Slocum Design (2000 x 3000)
Radio Performance
19 December 2022
Season 10, Episode 11
Last year we sampled holiday episodes from several other radio programs, offering what we called "A Radio Christmas Sampler." Listeners told us they enjoyed this approach. So this year we offer "A Radio Christmas Sampler Vol. II." We sample from "Red Ryder Nails The Cleveland Kid," Jean Shepherd Show, WOR Radio, New York, 24 Dec. 1970, "Back for Christmas," Suspense, 23 Dec. 1943, starring Peter Lorre and "Britt Ponset's Christmas Story," The Six Shooter, 20 Dec. 1953, starring Jimmy Stewart. The latter is a fine retelling of the classic story by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol.
Initial broadcast and live streams by our local, regional, and international partners. Archival recordings available for on demand listening.
Listen
Optimized for radio broadcast.
Credits
"Red Ryder Nails The Cleveland Kid," Jean Shepherd Show, WOR Radio, New York, 24 Dec. 1970
"Back for Christmas," Suspense, 23 Dec. 1943
"Britt Ponset's Christmas Story," The Six Shooter, 20 Dec. 1953
Curated, Produced, and Hosted by John F. Barber
Post Production by Marc Rose of Fuse Audio Design
Graphics by Holly Slocum Design
Background
"Duel in the Snow, or Red Ryder Nails The Cleveland Kid"
Jean Shepherd
WOR Radio, New York
24 Dec. 1970
Shepherd, American storyteller and radio and television personality, first published this story in Playboy magazine, 1964. He reminices about growing up in Depression-era small town Indiana and Cleveland, Ohio, and how he wanted a Red Ryder Carbine Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle for Christmas. He used this and other stories from his two semi-autobiographical books, In God We Trust, All Others Must Pay Cash (Doubleday, 1966) and Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories (Doubleday, 1971), to write the screenplay for A Christmas Story (1983). All the stories he used for the movie were collected in the book A Christmas Story (Crown, 2003). Shepherd is cited by some as the creator of free-form talk radio, an inspiration for Garrison Keillor, and is noted for his nightly extemporaneous monologues often based on childhood memories. See "Wannabe Inkling" for more about Shepherd.
"Back for Christmas"
Suspense
23 Dec. 1943
Starring Peter Lorre
Suspense was a radio drama series offered by the Columbia Broadcasting System from 1940 to 1962. Subtitled "radio's outstanding theater of thrills," Suspense was all about drama and suspense, and during the early years often featured leading Hollywood actors.
One was Peter Lorre. Born Lazlo Lowenstein (1904) in Hungry, Lorre began his acting career in Vienna. He moved to Berlin, where he appeared as a serial killer in M a 1931 film directed by Fritz Lang, famous for the 1927 German expressionist science-fiction drama film Metropolitan.
When the Nazis took over Germany in 1933, Lorre sought refuge in Paris, and then London. There, in 1934, he appeared in the Alfred Hitchcock film, The Man Who Knew Too Much. After that, Lorre settled in Hollywood, where he found featured roles in crime, mystery, and detective movies. Perhaps the two most notable of Lorre's Hollywood films were The Maltese Falcon in 1941, and Casablanca in 1942.
Lorre's distinctive voice was also heard on radio. In fact, more people might know Peter Lorre for his radio appearances than his films. Between 1936 and 1964, he made 143 radio appearances including comedy programs, radio drama, and popular genre programs. In the same period he appeared in only 68 films.
For this episode of Re-Imagined Radio we sample "Back for Christmas," the 23 Dec. 1943 episode of Suspense. "Back for Christmas" was produced and directed by William Spier (SPEER) from the original short story by John Collier, first published in The New Yorker magazine, 7 October 1939.
Lorre voices the part of Hubert Schumacher, a henpecked British botany professor. He and his wife, Hermione, plan a end-of-year trip to America where he will give a series of lectures. Hermionie tells friends they will be back for Christmas. But Lorre has another plan for his wife: murder, and then an extended stay in America with his new wife, the young, adoring Miss Markham. But, his perfect plans unravel in fiendish ways.
"Britt Ponset’s Christmas Carol"
The Six Shooter
20 Dec. 1953, episode 14
Starring Jimmy Stewart
From the introduction . . . "The man in the saddle is angular and long-legged. His skin is sun-died brown. The gun in his holster is gray steel and rainbow mother of pearl, its handle unmarked. People call them both "The Six Shooter." His real name is Britt Ponset, the Texas plainsman who wandered through the Western territories leaving behind a trail of still remembered legends."
Created by Frank Burt, who wrote many of the episodes including this one, The Six Shooter lasted only one season, 39 episodes, September 20, 1953 – June 24, 1954. Episodes ranged from Western drama to comedy. Each episode starred Hollywood movie star Jimmy Stewart as Britt Ponset, a wandering cowboy in the last days of the American West.
Stewart's distinctive drawl and everyman persona were featured in 80 files from 1935-1991. His breakthrough came in 1938 with a part in Frank Capra's comedy You Can't Take It With You. In 1939, working again with Frank Capra, Jimmy Stewart played a virtuous man who becomes a United States Senator in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his 1940 performance in The Philadelphia Story with Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant.
Then there was It's a Wonderful Life, also in 1940, working again with Frank Capra. Based loosely on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, It's a Wonderful Life became Stewart's defining film role and a Christmas classic.
In these films, Stewart played characters with a strong sense of morality, a characteristic he exhibited in his personal life as well. In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him third on its list of the greatest American male actors.
Jimmy Stewart is also noted for his radio acting. He appeared several times on the Lux Radio Theatre reprising his movie roles for radio. The Six Shooter was Jimmy Stewart's only recurring leading role in radio, and remains one of the best examples of the adult western genre. The term "adult western" speaks to combining contemporary psychological themes and traditional Western motifs to examine the deeper character motivations and to inform the plot. Both Gunsmoke and The Six Shooter are excellent examples.
Promotion
A Radio Christmas Sampler Vol. II web poster by Holly Slocum, Holly Slocum Design (240 x 356)
A Radio Christmas Sampler Vol. II landscape poster by Holly Slocum, Holly Slocum Design (1910 x 1080)
A Radio Christmas Sampler Vol. II square poster by Holly Slocum, Holly Slocum Design (2000 x 2000)
A Radio Christmas Sampler Vol. II full poster by Holly Slocum, Holly Slocum Design (2000 x 3000)
2021 Episode
20 December 2021
This year we tried something different. Re-Imagined Radio presented "A Radio Christmas Sampler" featuring selections from Christmas episodes of Suspense, Rocky Fortune, The Damon Runyon Theatre, The Jack Benny Program, Bing Crosby and The Kraft Music Hall, Vic and Sade, and the 2020 recorded performance of "A Radio Christmas Carol" by Metropolitan Performing Arts.
Initial broadcast and live streams by our local, regional, and international partners. Archival recordings available for on demand listening.
Listen
Optimized for radio broadcast.
Credits
"A Radio Christmas Carol" by Metropolitan Performing Arts," 2020
"Vic’s Christmas Card List," from Vic and Sade, 1939
"Dancing Dan’s Christmas," from The Damon Runyon Theatre, 1949
"Decorating the Christmas Tree," from The Jack Benny Program, 1951
"Department Store Santa," from Rocky Fortune, 1953
"A Korean Christmas Carol," from Suspense, 1959
And Bing Crosby and The Kraft Music Hall, December 12, 1944
Curated, Produced, and Hosted by John F. Barber
Post Production by Marc Rose of Fuse Audio Design
Social Media by Regina Carol Social Media Management
Graphics by Holly Slocum Design
Background
A scene with Scrooge begins "A Radio Christmas Sampler." Jeffrey Puukka voices Scrooge. Another scene with Tiny Tim closes the episode. Greg Shilling voices Tiny Tim. Both are sampled from the 2020 Re-Imagined Radio broadcast of "A Radio Christmas Carol" with Metropolitan Performing Arts.
Selections from "Vic’s Christmas Card List," from the radio series Vic and Sade, created and written by Paul Rhymer and broadcast five days a week from 1932-1944, feature Rhymer’s unique comedic style and outrageous character names. In this sample from a December 1939 episode, Victor Gook, a bookkeeper for Plant 14 of the Consolidated Kitchenware Company, Sade, his homebody wife, and Rush, their adopted son discuss why Vic has to send Christmas cards to people he rarely, if ever, meets.
Our sampling of "Dancing Dan’s Christmas," speaks to how, at Christmas, we may chart a new course for our lives. It’s from the March 13, 1949 episode of The Damon Runyon Theatre, a year long series featuring dramatizations of stories by the author Damon Runyon set against the backdrop of New York City. John Brown narrates as Broadway, a small time criminal with a heart of gold. His story has warmth and appeal.
"Decorating the Christmas Tree," proves a shocking experience for Jack Benny, host of the 23 December 1951 Christmas episode of The Jack Benny Program.
"Department Store Santa" samples a performance by Frank Sinatra, the singer and musical artist from the 22 December 1953 episode of his little-known radio series, Rocky Fortune. Sinatra plays Rocky Fortune, a footloose young gentleman who accepts odd jobs. Here he is a part-time Santa Claus in a downtown department store. Sinatra is street wise and hep talkin’ but he’s just the man to deal with the robberies and help out a young girl who wants a particular Christmas gift, and her older, attractive sister.
"Korean Christmas Carol" considers, from a paranormal perspective, being away from family and friends at Christmas, in our sample from the 20 December 1959 episode of Suspense. Bill Lipton narrates.
"A Radio Christmas Sampler" closes with a joyful rendition of "Jingle Bells" by Bing Crosby and others sampled from the 12 December 1944 episode of Bing Crosby and The Kraft Music Hall.
Metropolitan Performing Arts, of Vancouver, WA, provide Christmas songs throughout.
Promotion
A Radio Christmas Sampler web poster by Holly Slocum, Holly Slocum Design (240 x 356)
A Radio Christmas Sampler landscape poster by Holly Slocum, Holly Slocum Design (820 x 356)
A Radio Christmas Sampler square poster by Holly Slocum, Holly Slocum Design (2000 x 2000)
A Radio Christmas Sampler full poster by Holly Slocum, Holly Slocum Design (2000 x 3000)
2020 Episode
24 December 2020
Re-Imagined Radio presented a recorded performance by Metropolitan Performing Arts actors and other community volunteers. Broadcasts and streams by our local, regional, and international partners. Archival recordings available for on demand listening.
Listen
Optimized for radio broadcast.
Part 1
Part 2
Cast
Julie Steinbrenner as Narrator
Jeffrey Puukka as Ebenezer Scrooge
Will Johnson as Bob Cratchit and 2nd Man
Kristen Heller as Charity Gentleman
Greg Shilling as Nephew Fred and Tiny Tim
Jason Weed as Ghost of Marley, Ghost of Christmas Present, Fezziwig, Man on Street, and 1st Man
Barbara Richardson as Ghost of Christmas Past and Goose Person
Kristin Heller as Belle, Kristin Heller, and Begger on Street
Will Johnson as Young Scrooge
Barbara Richardson as Martha Cratchit
Ghost of Christmas Future (a non-speaking part)
Credits
Directed by Barbara Richardson
Sound Design by John Barber
Post Production by Martin John Gallagher
Social Media and Graphic Design by Holly Slocum
Produced and Directed by John Barber
Promotion
WSU Vancouver Partners with Re-Imagined Radio for Holiday Tradition, The Reflector, 18 Dec. 2020.
Re-Imagined Radio Performances, Visit Vancouver USA, 11 Dec. 2020.
Hewitt, Scott. For Clark County Performing Groups, The Show Must Go On(line). The Columbian, 3 Dec. 2020, pp. B1, B5.
2019 Episode
18 December 2019
Re-Imagined Radio presented a live performance by Metropolitan Performing Arts actors and other community volunteers at Kiggins Theatre in downtown Vancouver, Washington. Audience count: 250. Broadcast and streamed on KXRW.FM (Vancouver, Washington) and KXRY.FM (XRAY.FM, Portland, Oregon). No recording available.
Cast
John Barber as Narrator, Fezziwig, and Begger on Street
Jeffrey Puukka as Ebenezer Scrooge
Greg Shilling as Bob Chartchit
Derek Nolan as Charity Gentlemen
Ethan Radcliff as Nephew Fred and 1st Man
Bob Meek as Ghost of Marley and 2nd Man
Arianna Dorenbosch as Ghost of Christmas Past and Young Girl with Cratchit family
Rebekah Hetrick as Belle and Martha Cratchit
Derek Nolan as Young Scrooge
Larry Taylor as Ghost of Christmas Present and Man on Street
Laura Hankins as Mrs. Cratcit
Rylan Lewis as Tiny Tim and Goose Person
Credits
Directed and Produced by John Barber
Sound Design by John Barber
Promotional Graphics by Laura Evancich
Photo Gallery
Photography by Steve Hart
2018 Episode
20 December 2018
Re-Imagined Radio presented a live performance by Metropolitan Performing Arts actors and other community volunteers at Kiggins Theatre in downtown Vancouver, Washington. Audience count: 270. Streamed live on KXRW-FM, Vancouver's community radio. Archival recording available for on demand listening.
Listen
Recorded live performance.
Credits
Promotional Graphics by Betsy Hanrahan
Promotion
"A Radio Christmas Carol." The Columbian, Weekend Section, 14 Dec. 2018, p. 26.
Photo Gallery
Photography by N.E.H. Photography
2017 Episode
20 Decemeber 2017
Re-Imagined Radio presented a live performance by Metropolitan Performing Arts actors, the Metropolitan Performing Arts Carolers, The Juleps, and other community volunteers at Kiggins Theatre in downtown Vancouver, Washington. Audience count: 320. Streamed live on American Senior Radio Network. Archival recording for on demand listening.
Listen
Recorded live performance.
Promotion
Hewitt, Scott. The Sound of Scrooge: Vancouver Group Steps Up To Keep "A Radio Christmas Carol" on the Air The Columbian, 15 Dec. 2017, pp. D1, 2.
Photo Gallery
Photography by N.E.H. Photography
2016 Episode
21 December 2016
Re-Imagined Radio presented a live performance by Willamette Radio Workshop actors and other community volunteers at Kiggins Theatre in downtown Vancouver, Washington. Audience count: 300+. Streamed live on American Senior Radio Network. Rather than paid admissions, audience members donated non-perishable food items for The Clark County Food Bank. Donations of 763 pounds of food and $325.00 provided 2,228 meals for hungry families in Clark County. Archival recording available for on demand listening.
Listen
Recorded live performance.
Credits
Directed by Sam A. Mowry
Promotional Graphics By Sam A. Mowry
Produced by John Barber
Promotion
Hewitt, Scott. Willamette Radio Workshop To Present 'A Christmas Carol' at Kiggins. The Columbian, 11 Dec. 2016.
Hewitt, Scott. The Sounds of Scrooge Come To Life. The Columbian, 17 Dec. 2016, pp. D1, D2.
2015 Episode
16 December 2015
Re-Imagined Radio presented a live performance by the Willamette Radio Workshop at Kiggins Theatre in downtown Vancouver, Washington.
Listen
Recorded live performance.
Credits
Directed by Sam A. Mowry
Promotional Graphics by Kate Palermini
Produced by John Barber
Promotion
Facebook page for this event.
Hewitt, Scott. Christmas on the Radio. The Columbian, 11 Dec. 2015.
2014 Episode
18 December 2014
Re-Imagined Radio presented a live performance by the Willamette Radio Workshop at Kiggins Theatre in downtown Vancouver, Washington. No recording available.
Cast
Curtis Hanson as Scrooge
with Cindy McGean, Chris Porter, Renne King, Alyson Ayn Osborn, and Sam A. Mowry
Credits
Live Sound by D. Neil Blake and Phillip Bursch
Projections by Joe Medina
Directed by Sam A. Mowry
Promotional Graphics by Sam Mowry
Preomotion
Facebook page for this event.
WSUV Brings Program, Artwork To Downtown. The Columbian, 13 Dec. 2014.
2013 Episode
19 December 2013
Re-Imagined Radio presented a live performance by the Willamette Radio Workshop at Kiggins Theatre in downtown Vancouver, Washington. No recording available.
Credits
Directed by Sam A. Mowry
Promotional Graphics by Sam A. Mowry