You won’t find the late Jerry Kaufherr’s name among the cast members of our presentations,

of course, but his example as a performer and supporter of his fellow unionists must be acknowledged. His generous bequest launched the KMRC - The Kaufherr Members Resource Center - a large comfortable space in the unions’ Chicago headquarters that provides AFTRA and SAG members with the tools (audio & video studios, computers, script and videotape library) and the teachers, to improve their prosfessionalism. The AFTRA/SAG Senior Radio Players have used it as their rehearsal hall since its inception in 2001.

 

The Links :

All of the members of the AFTRA/SAG Senior Radio Players are members of The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists or The Screen Actors Guild..

 

  
 
 

 
 

 

 

2010 Schedule

All shows will be performed at the Chicago Cultural Center in the Claudia Cassidy Theater and will start at 7p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.). Presented in Association with Chicago DCA Theater.The Chicago Cultural Center is located at 77 W. Randolph (at Michigan Avenue) and the Claudia Cassidy Theatrer is on the 2nd Floor. The addmission is free and reservations are not required, however seating is on a first come, first served basis.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Series: Mr. District Attorney

Program: Charity Never Began (original broadcast date unknown)

Director: Bob Baron
In the late 1930s, Thomas Dewey developed his reputation as a racket busting New York D.A. He went on to become governor of New York, but missed twice in attempts at the presidency. Despite that, radio historians swear that Dewey was the model for Mr. District Attorney, a hugely successful radio dramatization that fearlessly focused on prickly social issues. In this fascinating episode, the AFTRA/SAG Senior Radio Players demonstrate why the program opened with these words: “Mr. District Attorney! Guardian of our fundamental rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness!” The D.A. takes on a pair of unscrupulous operators of a retirement home and the infuriating way they treat their clientele.

 

Series: My Favorite Husband

Program: Liz’s Radio Script (originally broadcast March 24, 1950 on the CBS Radio Network)

Director: Connie Foster
Before there was a Lucy that the world would love on television, Lucille Ball starred in a radio sitcom that was described as “two people who lived together and liked it.” Sounds pretty tame, but Ms. Ball’s huge talent and some outrageous plot lines made the series very laughable. In this episode, Liz enters a radio script writing contest, is selected as one of the finalists, and is allowed to produce and broadcast the “finished product” on a local radio station. Stay tuned for chaos.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Series: The Mercury Theatre on the Air

Program: The War of the Worlds (originally broadcast October 30, 1938 on the CBS Radio Network)

Director: Guy Barile
This is the radio play that Time Magazine labeled “a textbook example of mass hysteria.” Listeners who were tuned into the program from its beginning knew it was simply a compelling drama adapted from the H. G. Wells story; however, many of those who came in late believed the dramatized news bulletins, interviews with scientists, and announcements from government offices were real—and some who lived in the Grover’s Mill, New Jersey area tried to run from what they believed was almost certain extinction by creatures from Mars. The AFTRA/SAG Senior Radio Players are proud to re-create the script that made America love, hate, and, most of all, become aware of a huge talent by the name of Orson Welles.

 

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Series: Theatre Guild on the Air; also known as The United States Steel Hour

Program: The Man Who Came to Dinner (originally broadcast November 17, 1946 on the ABC Radio Network)

Director: Parker Gronwold
Sheridan Whiteside, the cantankerous but talented writer and radio personality, reluctantly accepts a dinner invitation while on a lecture tour in a small town in Ohio. His thought is to eat and run, but he slips on a patch of ice on the front steps of the Stanley house, damages a leg, and is forced to change his quick-escape plans. It turns out to be a nightmare for the host family as Whiteside takes over the household with a combination of demands, rudeness, and expensive whims. Even after the doctor reveals to Whiteside that he has misread the x-rays and the leg is fine, Whiteside bribes the doctor not to tell anyone of the changed diagnosis, so he can stay on to—in the words of critic Hal Erickson—“stage-manage the lives of everyone around him.”

 

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Series: The CBS Radio Workshop

Program: The Enormous Radio (originally broadcast May 11, 1956 on the CBS Radio Network)

Director: Mercita DeMonk
Jim and Irene Wescott could be considered a fortunate married couple: their income is pretty good, they have compatible friends, and they share a passion for symphonic music. They attend concerts, of course, but most of the time they depend on the radio for their music. And when their old receiver finally dies, they reluctantly replace it with a state of the art model that eventually changes their lives.

Series: The Gulf Screen Guild Theater

Program: The Shop Around the Corner (originally broadcast September 29, 1940 on the CBS Radio Network)

Director: Herb Graham
Such a complicated tale to convey, and only a half hour to do it—minus more time for the commercials—but in Norman Corwin’s capable hands, not only does it work, it shines! A boy meets girl story in which, at first, Klara and Martin can’t stand each other. Little do they know that they genuinely admire each other as anonymous pen pals. If you missed the play, the musical, and the movie, this may need further explaining. You’ll be rewarded with just that when you attend the AFTRA/SAG Senior Radio Players version of this charming story. For now, let’s just say... it shines!

 

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Series: Easy Aces, The Bickersons, Bob & Ray, and a surprise or two

Programs: A medley of comedy, and a surprise or two

Director: To be determined
The AFTRA/SAG Senior Radio Players join the millions who believe that laughter is beneficial for humans, and joyously offer a presentation overflowing with laughs! They have put together a carnival of hahaha—moments that originated in the old time network radio studios that broadcast a rich brew of comedy and the occasional blooper that proved that actors, announcers, and emcees were all too human. As Woody Allen has said: “I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.”

The AFTRA/SAG Senior Radio Players invite you to any or all of their re-creations.

 

The admission is free. Just be sure to bring your imagination.