Theater Review

Tom Titus

When the Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse scheduled “The 1940s Radio Hour”

for this season, its producers hardly could have realized that the show’s

inherent theme of patriotism in wartime would be quite so topical when

the lights finally went up.

Yet in this nostalgic tribute to the old-time radio variety show by

Walton Jones, references to “our boys over there” have an unexpectedly

contemporary ring, even though “over there” are Europe and the Pacific in

1942 and the musical tributes run along the lines of “Boogie Woogie Bugle

Boy.”

Director Susan Marx has successfully recreated the atmosphere of six

decades ago as performers on a radio variety show present their program

to a studio audience, which has the added insight of seeing, rather than

just hearing, what’s really going on. The results, which include some

backstage shenanigans, are quite intriguing.

Authenticity is stressed by a cast that could have no more idea of the

look and feel of the early ‘40s than could most of the audience. Costumes

bear an unmistakable period quality, thanks primarily to the playhouse’s

triple-threat, Deborah Bushman.

Bushman, who’s president of the theater and a co-producer (with actor

Mark Phillips) of the show, also is a crackerjack costume designer, as

she’s proved in several past productions. On top of that, she has a

terrific singing voice, which she displays in her role as featured

songstress Ann Collier. Dynamite, indeed, comes in small packages.

The hourlong, uninterrupted performance, set during the Christmas

season, is dotted with versatile performers in both individual and

ensemble moments. Riding herd on the sometimes-contentious company is

Danny Blaylock as the on-air host and producer, maintaining his cool

despite numerous exasperating moments.

The boozing, self-absorbed singer who’s about to quit the show for

Hollywood is given a fine, against-the-grain portrayal by Daniel Olivo.

Janet McGregor handles a good bit of the comedy as the bouncy

singer-actress who removes her chewing gum for each trip to the

microphone.

Carrie Hacker, whose full character name appears to be “cute little

Connie Miller,” does a marvelous job in both the singing and dancing (a

tap number unseen, of course, by the radio audience) departments, and

also handles the show’s choreography. She teams with Philips to form a

cuddly young couple of showbiz kids on their way up.

The most effective of the show’s numerous subplots involves an overly

enthusiastic delivery boy, who’s given a chance to show his stuff when an

actor fails to show up at the last minute. Nicholas Anderson jumps into

this role with both feet in a standout performance.

Tanya Gallo successfully stylizes in her role and Marc Davila

impresses as the soldier in uniform doing his last show for the duration.

Off the mike, there are several other notable contributions, from Daniel

Furlong’s prickly sound man to Kimberly Mitchell’s snappy stage hand,

Annie Riley’s bubbly candy hawker and, particularly, Ken Jagosz’s crusty

stage door guardian who functions as a part-time bookie.

Marx and musical director Daniel Thomas give “The 1940s Radio Hour” a

splendid period feel while Bushman’s excellent period costumes and wigs

apply the requisite visual touches. It’s a fun-filled blast from the

past.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Thursdays and Saturdays.

FYI

WHAT: “The 1940s Radio Hour”

WHERE: Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse, 611 Hamilton St., Costa Mesa

WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays untilDec. 15

COST: $15

PHONE: (949) 650-5269