What's going on at the Somerville Theatre?

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

As many of you know, The Big Broadcast of 1946 is at the Somerville Theatre this weekend. I've seen a lot of confusion regarding what the heck is up with that show, so I wrote a brief guide to to enhance enjoyment which several people suggested I post here. I promise it's more than just another ad. :)


The basic premise here is that as soon as you come in, you're in 1946. It's October 27, and you've come to be audience members at a theatre whence a radio show will be broadcast live on the air. The various wandering folks, the people on stage for the Byfar Hour, we are in 40s costume because we are in 1946. People are reading off of scripts because they are recording a radio show, and that's how it's done, even when performing/recording in front of a live audience. (See A Prairie Home Companion for a current example.) There is even an On Air sign to indicate when we're actually on the air and when we are merely milling about making sure everything is ready to go back onto the radio. It's more than a show; it's a total immersive experience. You can even get yourself a Byfar Coffee Syrup (our invented sponsor) milkshake at the concession stand.

I know many of the folks reading this already grok all of that, but in the past few days, I've read a lot of commentary from people who weren't sure what-all was up last year, so hopefully this helps at least one person have a better time when they go. It really can be confusing if you walk in or interact with us outside the theater and have no idea, especially if you miss the pre-show, so no need to feel dumb.

Another thing to be aware of is that while we "go on the air" at designated showtime (7:30p for evening perfs), the interactive pre-show bits start at 6:30pm with our assorted house crew and then at 7, the Byfar actors start to take the stage so that Mr. Cyrano can warm up the audience, Lex gets the band going (one of the big numbers happens before curtain time, in fact), etc. So coming early is a good thing! Not to mention that my performance is entirely pre-show and intermission, so you really don't want to miss that. ;)

Some of our audience even shows up in 40s garb as well, which we love.


And of course, you never want to miss the former voice of Somerville, Tom Champion, on stage, plus Saturday's performance will feature a special cameo by our very own ron_newman! In a suit! This may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Remaining performances are tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are available online or at the Somerville Theatre box office.

Comments

[primal-pastry.livejournal.com]

In all honesty last night's performance featured some of the finest acting I've seen out of this group yet. Especially act III, Sirens of War, was gripping, moving, funny, and thrilling. Bravo!

[koshmom.livejournal.com]

I loved the opening night show last nite. I sadly missed some of the pre-show stuff since I had to eat dinner. The non-verbal interaction between the bookkeeper (?) and the announcer (?) for the last two segments was hilarious! And the newspaper person who asked if the Sugar Babies candy I bought was laced with a drug must have been wrong. They were great! (no, they're MINEMINEMINE, you can't have any!) The show was watched in a wondrus haze of immersion..and I slept really heavy, like a log, with fabulously psychodelic dreams. Ahh, for good ole time candies... (HUGE grin)

The best thing about the total immersive experience was that while it was 1946, noone was smoking smelly tobacco products. Just sucking on candy cigarettes! I could breathe!

[thapsychlone.livejournal.com]

THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1946 is happening tonight through Sunday...we worked really hard on this is and, personally, I think it came together quite well. Tickets are definitely still available! Please join the fun!

[dahdahdahdancer.livejournal.com]

so for the sunday matinee, we should show up at 1:00??

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

It's more that you *can* show up at 1pm and be entertained the whole way through. 1:30 will still get you plenty and as long as you're in your seat by 1:45, you at least won't miss any musical numbers and should get most of the important intros, though you may be less likely to be interviewed by roving gossip reporter Leda Leaper or accosted by the always-drunk aging starlet and sister of the station manager (which is why we can't just kick her out) Miss Tippler. :)

[read-alicia.livejournal.com]

Thanks! (The writer of Sirens here.) And if you want to check out more work from this same cast, crew and writer, we have an ongoing audio drama called The Mask of Inanna (http://www.themaskofinanna.com) that features the same quirky mish-mash of drama, pathos and comedy.

We have an upcoming episode (#4) that features Tom Champion, too!