Marvelous Murphy Sisters, Shenandoah Moon highlight Radio Hour

The Marvelous Murphy Sisters will return to The River City Radio Hour for tonight’s performances.

The Radio Hour audiences were delighted with the Sisters’ first appearance at the November Radio Hour and asked that they do a reprise as soon as possible. Sally and Molly Murphy are members of the popular Judy Chops, known for the band’s innovative style combining folk, country, rock, and bluegrass. In November, the sisters took a turn to the “Swing” side with backup from the Boogie Kings. The February performances may reveal another side of the very talented duo.

Also on the program is a selection of songs composed by Richard Adams for the musical Shenandoah Moon, written by Barbara Lawson, Beth Massie and Duane Hahn, who died recently.The musical, commissioned by the Alliance, was premiered by the Waynesboro Players. Shenandoah Moon celebrates the creation of Shenandoah National Park and the building of the Skyline Drive. A novelized version of the story was published by Hahn.

February’s Radio Hour will begin the new three-part serial by Elizabeth Massie: Run, Ruby, Run! Those who attended The Radio Hour Christmas Special 2010 learned that Ruby of the Hens of Renown Trio was overcome by her life as a celebrity. An intervention by George Shifflet and the other hens drove her to rehab at the Fowls Gone A-Foul Institute. Now the intrigue and fun begin.

Completing the February Radio Hour are The Boogie Kings led by Richard Adams with William Hayes on the keyboard, and J. T Fauber on percussion and Marsha Howard, Waynesboro’s First Lady of Laughter.

The merchant of the month will be Jennifer Ledford of Initial Inspiration, Main Street’s newest business.

The February performances will take place at the Blue Ridge Christian Fellowship Hall at 329 West Main at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Seating is limited. Reserved seats are available for the Radio Hour for $7.50. Call 540.943.9999 to make a reservation.

The River City Radio Hour is a production of the Wayne Theatre Alliance with support from Waynesboro Cultural Commission, the City of Waynesboro, and The Virginia Commission for the Arts.

Radio Hour Playwriting Contest

The River City Radio Hour is looking for five-minute radio plays or two-part plays lasting no more than 12 minutes. The scripts will be performed as part of the May or June Radio Hour.

Plays may be comedy, mystery or drama, but should appeal to a general audience. Two-part scripts should have a compelling cliffhanger at the end of part one.

Casts must be limited to no more than five actors, but they may play more than one character. The use of live and recorded sound effects is encouraged.

Winners will receive $50 prize for five-minute play and $75 for two-part play.

Send hard copies of scripts to

Radio Hour Play Contest
P.O. Box 1821
Waynesboro, VA 22980

Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope if script is to be returned.

Deadline: April 15, 2011

Radio Hour returns with Wood, Chisnell

The first River City Radio Hour of 2011 will feature two audience favorites. Gwynne Wood and Kevin Chisnell, both of whom performed at WTA’s annual outdoors concert in August, will bring their unique talents to the January performances.

Gwynne Wood performs in the local music scene with her father and uncle as, “Gwynne Wood & The Civilians.” A freshman at Waynesboro High School, she is known for her pure vocal tones and a style well beyond her years. Kevin Chisnell is a virtuoso blues harmonic player and singer. His technique as a soloist or as supporting musician is sought after around the region.

The Boogie Kings led by Richard Adams with William Hayes on the keyboard, J.T. Fauber on percussion will accompany both Wood and Chisnell as well as performing their own set of songs during the hour-long performances.

Also returning to the Radio Hour will be Waynesboro’s First Lady of Laughter, Marsha Howard. She is armed with a new set of jokes for 2011.

The January Radio Hour will provide the conclusion to Kathy Johnson’s The Retired Detectives Roundtable and the Case of King Solomon’s Dagger. In November an explosion racked the back alley to the General Wayne Hotel. Was anyone hurt? Will the Dagger be found? The final chapter of the serial will answer those questions. The serial also features the handiwork of the Radio Hour Sound Effect Duo, Julie Scott and J. D. Robb.

The merchant of the month will be Kathy Johnson of Murder is a Game. Her latest murder mystery will be at the Barren Ridge Winery on Jan. 22 when the Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce and the Wayne Theatre Alliance present their third annual Murder at the Vineyard.

The January performance will take place at the Blue Ridge Christian Fellowship Hall at 329 W. Main St. at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Seating is limited. Reserved seats are available for the Radio Hour for $7.50. Call 540.943.9999 to make a reservation.

The River City Radio Hour is a production of the Wayne Theatre Alliance with support from Waynesboro Cultural Commission, the City of Waynesboro, and The Virginia Commission for the Arts.

Radio Hour Christmas Special

The Wayne Theatre Alliance will produce its first Christmas dinner theatre Dec. 9-12 at the historic Fairfax Hall in Waynesboro.

Dressed in Christmas finery, the dining room at Fairfax Hall will prove an ideal setting for The Radio Hour Remembers Christmas. Holiday guests will enjoy a special buffet before the production while being serenaded by the Dreamland Barbershop Quartet. Santa Claus has promised a visit as well.

The Radio Hour Remembers Christmas matinee performances will be on Thursday, Dec. 9, Friday, Dec. 10, and Sunday, Dec. 12. Evening performances will be Friday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec. 11. The dinner theatre begins with the Christmas buffet and a 90-minute performance of The Radio Hour Remembers Christmas. The production is followed by dessert and coffee with the cast.

Tickets are $40 per person, which includes the buffet, performance and dessert and coffee. Special rates for parties of ten or more are available. Seating is limited. Early reservations are suggested.

Call the Wayne Theatre Alliance office to make your reservation: 540.943.9999.

For more information visit: www.RiverCityRadioHour.com.

Happy Birthday! Radio Hour turns 3

On Oct. 15, 2007, the Waynesboro Cultural Commission’s monthly concerts made the transition to the newly coined River City Radio Hour. Featured on the first Radio Hour was the newly minted studio band The Boogie Kings under the leadership of Richard AdamsThey were joined by jazz singer Llyn Walker, Elvis impersonator Bob Lunger and comedienne Marsha Howard. That first show had an audience of a little over 100.

Over the following three years, The Radio Hour has become the responsibility of the Wayne Theatre Alliance. Its audience tops 200 with reserved seats a “must.” The old time radio talent show format has been honed with a mixture of musical talent, comedy, mystery serials, and musical commercials for local businesses and organizations.

The anniversary performances of The River City Radio Hour, set for Friday, Oct. 15, feature the mixture of talent that has made the show popular with area audiences. The Boogie Kings under the leadership of Richard Adams will headline the show with J. T. Fauber on percussion and William Hayes on piano and accordion. Sharing the evening is the popular a’cappella group. Sound Direction’s close harmonies have delighted audiences across the region. Irv Beedles will bring his homespun humor and a new set of jokes.

Toping the evening will be the second chapter of The Retired Detectives’ Roundtable and the Case of King Solomon’s Dagger by Kathy Johnson, In the first chapter, the detectives discover the body of the courier in a warehouse in Basic City. Before they alert the police, the building erupts in fire. The lone exit is locked!

The guest for the October Radio Hour will be John Tindall representing The Waynesboro Community Concerts series. In keeping with tradition, the Community Concerts will provide the door prizes. The drawing for the prizes is available to anyone who attends the performances.

The October performance will take place at the Blue Ridge Christian Fellowship Hall at 329 West Main at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Seating is limited. Reserved seats are available for the Radio Hour for $7.50. Call 540.943.9999 to make a reservation.

The River City Radio Hour is a production of the Wayne Theatre Alliance with support from Waynesboro Cultural Commission, the City of Waynesboro, and The Virginia Commission for the Arts.
 
 

Edited by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at freepress2@ntelos.net.

The Radio Hour goes classical

In honor of its September guest, Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra, The Radio Hour will take a classical turn. The Symphony will be represented at the two performances by Charles Salembier, president of the Symphony’s Board of Directors. He will present the door prizes for the Friday, Sept. 17 performances: tickets to the Symphony’s Rhapsoday for America concert on Friday, Oct. 29 at the Paramount Theatre in Charlottesville.

In keeping with the classical flavor of the September Radio Hour, Sonjay Dillard, violinist, and Chris Bono, pianist, will share the stage with the Radio Hour’s studio band, The Boogie Kings. Sonja Dillard is a graduate of the Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester. She holds a bachelor and master’s degree in music. She is currently a teacher of stringed instruments at Staunton Music and plays professionally throughout Virginia. Chris Bono is a keyboard artist and organ builder. He is a graduate of Bridgewater College. Together they will bring a new dimension to The Radio Hour.

Also on the program is the classic folksinger, Duffy. A frequent performer on the Radio Hour, Duffy writes and plays in the classical folk style. His unique perspective on the world gives his songs a special insight.

The Boogie Kings under the leadership of Richard Adams will lend their own classics to the September musical offerings. With William Hayes on keyboard and J. T. Fauber on percussion, the Boogie Kings will open the way to an evening of music and comedy.

Gracing the Radio Hour will be The Queen of Comedy, Marsha Howard. This will be Howard’s last performance before she takes a hiatus from her comedy performances. She will return in December as part of the holiday special, The Radio Hour Remembers Christmas, Dec. 9, 10, 11 and 12 at Fairfax Hall.

September will premiere the new serial The Retired Detectives’ Roundtable and the Case of King Solomon’s Dagger by Kathy Johnson. She is the creator of Murder Is a Game. Since 1988, she has been writing, producing and performing original mystery scripts throughout Michigan, the Midwest and Virginia. Known by many as the “murder lady,” Johnson produces custom mysteries for businesses, individuals, organizations and Chambers of Commerce. This is her first excursion into the classic format of the radio serial.

In chapter one of The Case of King Solomon’s Dagger, a small gathering of almost famous detectives has convened its monthly meeting at the General Wayne Hotel. A visitor arrives with a plea for help. The intrigue and danger begins.

The September performance will take place at the Blue Ridge Christian Fellowship Hall at 329 W. Main St. at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Seating is limited. Reserved seats are available for the Radio Hour for $7.50.

Call 540.943.9999 to make a reservation.
 
 

Edited by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at freepress2@ntelos.net.

WayneTheatre.org: A Night at the Wayne

Photographer Mark Miller filed a photo essay on the Aug. 20 River City Radio Hour outdoor performance for the WayneTheatre.org website.

You can access the link here.

Mark Miller Photography is online here.