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The 1940's Radio Hour

Play with Music by Walton Jones. Based on an idea by Walton Jones and Carol Lees.

St. James Theatre, Broadway. Opened 7th October, 1979; Closed 6 January, 1980 (105 perfs & 14 previews)

Full of 1940s music, dancing and old-time sound effects the play portrays the final holiday broadcast of the Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade on the New York radio station WOV in December 1942.

Synopsis

Fabled WOV, a seedy little New York radio station takes to the air at the beginning of World War II, this time to record a broadcast for the troops overseas.

The narrative concerns the harassed producer whose leading singer is often drunk, the delivery boy who wants a chance in front of the mike, the second banana who dreams of singing a ballad, and the trumpet-playing sound effects man who chooses a fighter plane over Glenn Miller.

Cast of Characters

Musical Numbers

  1. I Got a Gal From Kalamazoo - Clifton, Chorus
  2. Pepsi Cola - Neal, B.J., Connie, Ginger
  3. Daddy - Connie, The Band
  4. Love Is Here To Stay - Johnny
  5. That Old Black Magic - Ann
  6. Ain't She Sweet - Biff, All
  7. How About You - B.J., Connie
  8. Blue Moon - Neal
  9. Chiquita Banana - All Girls
  10. Rose of the Rio Grande - Geneva, Men & The Band
  11. I'll Never Smile Again - Johnny, Quintet (Neal, B.J., Ann, Ginger, Connie)
  12. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy - B.J., Connie, Ginger
  13. Blues in the Night - Ginger, Men
  14. Jingle Bells - All (except Johnny)
  15. I Got It Bad - Geneva
  16. You Go To My Head - B.J.
  17. The Five O'Clock Whistle - Connie, The Band
  18. Merry Little Christmas - Ann
  19. Strike Up The Band - Full Company
  20. I'll Be Seeing You - Full Company
  21. Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade - Full Company