Moonlight Audio Theatre (Comedy)

Just premiered for the International Jack Benny Society annual convention, and now available to all: a "new" episode of the classic Jack Benny radio show newly penned exclusively for Project Audion by Bob Hope comedy writer Robert L. Mills. Here, Jack and the gang do a send up of the movie "Witness for the Prosecution" - with W. C. Fields in a guest-starring role. 
 
Here's what Mr. Mills said after hearing the final product: "This as near perfection as any living humans could possibly recreate a 75-year-old radio show. You performed miracles producing this and the program will take its place among the best work you've ever done." As Jack would say... "Well!” That's a tribute to the cast and crew. Go ahead - join our virtual studio audience and laugh at the efforts of these talented voice actors...
 
John Bell in Alabama
Pete Lutz in Texas
Ken Jeffries in California
Carl Thomas in Texas
Bob Beaumont in California
Angela Young in Florida
Harry Middlebrooks in CA
Norman Cline in Kentucky
Bob Mills wrote the script in LA
While back in Texas,  Larry Groebe oversaw the production
Direct download: a51-benny-soundtrack.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 7:22am EDT

In the late 1940s and early 1950s the Phil Harris-Alice Faye radio series was a master class in radio comedy. Harris (charming, egotistical, smooth, Southern) and Faye (grounded, smart, and only occasionally the movie star) were surrounded by eccentric regulars like Elliot Lewis as Phil’s band buddy Remley, and Walter Tetley as the little kid Julius - and each week the happy result could be heard in the gales of laughter from the live studio audience. Today, Harris is best remembered as the voice of Balloo the Bear in Walt Disney's Jungle Book, but former Bob Hope comedy writer Robert L. Mills fondly recalls the Harris-Faye radio shows of his youth, and has penned a pitch-perfect recreation for our coast-to-coast Project Audion cast to perform. We promise you a half-hour's classic entertainment!

Our cast --
Pete Lutz (Phil Harris)
JoAnne Kurman (Alice Faye)
John Bell (Frank Remley)
Bob Beaumont (Willie / Mr. Scott)
Angela Young (Julius / Miss Bluecross / Customer)
Ken Jeffries (Announcer)
Robert L Mills (Druggist, Scriptwriter)
Larry Groebe (Producer/Director)

Direct download: a48-harris-faye-soundtrack.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 4:10pm EDT

SONIC SUMMERSTOCK PLAYHOUSE '23:

Lux Radio Theatre's production of Kaufman & Hart's You Can't Take it With You, remade by the Narada Radio Company.

Tom Konkle as YOUR ANNOUNCER

Les Marsden as GRANDPA

Laura Mirsky as PENNY

Noah Diamond as TONY

Amanda Sisk as ALICE

Joe Martinez as CECIL B. DEMILLE

Victoria Fancki as ESSIE

Dana Gonsalves as ED

Debby Ramirez as RITA

Larry Groebe as PAUL 

Scott McKinley AS MR. DEPINNA  

Tre Minor as DONALD

Pete Lutz as KOLENKHOV

Alex Lagase as MR. KIRBY

Stephanie Stearns Dulli as MRS. KIRBY

John Bell as HENDERSON of the IRS

Ian Federgreen as the head J-MAN and

Geri Elliff as GRAND DUCHESS OLGA KATRINKA 

 

Additional voices performed by Stephanie Stearns Dulli, John Bell, and Pete Lutz

 

Recorded over Zoom in July 2023, with actors from Texas, California, New Jersey, New York, Alabama and Illinois. Originally released 8/6/23 on the Mutual Audio Network as a feature of the 2023 Sonic Summerstock Playhouse festival.

Direct download: NRC_SSSP23_YCTIWY_full_final_rev.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 6:42am EDT

Project Audion revisits one of the funniest, most beloved radio comedies of the 20th century. Fibber McGee and Molly tickled the radio audience for so long - more than a quarter of a century - that it spawned the very first-ever spinoff shows... and recurring gags like Fibber's hopelessly overstuffed closet, and quips like Molly's "t'ain't funny, McGee", remained part of shared American pop culture long after the series left the airwaves. Part vaudeville act, part sitcom, the series stared real-life couple Jim and Marion Jordan who were indeed former vaudeville comics. Don Quinn's scripts and a large cast of supporting characters who stopped by 79 Wistful Vista kept the laughs rolling.

Now, Robert L. Mills (former comedy writer for Bob Hope) has wonderfully recreated the style of the show at its peak in a new script penned just for Project Audion. In it, Fibber thinks he's come up with a brilliant and practical new invention - for once, does his boasting have merit? Listen to our transcontinental cast and laugh!

Our cast:

Fibber McGee: John Bell, AL

Molly / Teeny: Holly Adams, NY

Harlow Wilcox: Ken Jeffries, CA

Wallace Wimple: Dana Gonsalves, TX

Mayor LaTrivia: Bob Beaumont, CA

Doc Gamble: Frank Guglielmeli, PA

Old Timer: Harry Middlebrooks, CA

Gildersleeve: Larry Groebe, TX

Leroy: Carolyn Threlkeld, KY

Produced, directed, and mixed by Larry Groebe

Direct download: a43-fmm-podcast.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 9:17am EDT

PROJECT AUDION #41: Life With Luigi - "Luigi's Toothache"

This month Project Audion recreates a classic radio comedy based on a timeless premise. As a nation of immigrants, the clash of old and new cultures in America has offered authors an unending supply of humorous situations. "Life with Luigi" mined this comedic vein from 1948 to 1953. Each week, small-town Italian Luigi Basco struggled to navigate the complexities of his new American life, supported by his friends from Italy, Germany, Eastern Europe, and Scandinavia. It's full of charming stereotypes with broadly entertaining accents, it's-a great, innocent fun. In this episode, Luigi's aching tooth leads him into the unfamiliar world of medical specialists...

Luigi: Jacob Palka, IL

Pasquale: Pete Lutz, TX

Schultz: Larry Groebe, TX

Announcer / Horowitz / Man: Ken Jeffries, CA

Olson / Doctor: Paul Arbisi, IL

Miss Spaulding / Rosa: Donna Patton, TN

Directed by Mr. Palka and produced by Mr. Groebe

Direct download: a41-life-with-luigi-soundtrack.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 1:08pm EDT

THE REASONABLY AMAZING ADVENTURES OF FLASH GORDON Episode 6: Zarkov to the Rescue

A silly take on the original radio series Flash Gordon which is now in public domain. Starting April 22, 1935, and again in May 2022  the strip was adapted into The Amazing Interplanetary Adventures of Flash Gordon, a 26-episode weekly radio serial. The series followed the strip very closely, amounting to a week-by-week adaptation of the Sunday strip for most of its run.

Flash Gordon was played by Tom Konkle, starring Stephanie Stearns Dulli as Dale Arden and Witch Queen Azora, Gino C. Vianelli as Captain Thune,  Bob Clendenin as Dr. Zarkov, Pete Lutz as Saul (Pete Lutz heads the Narada Radio Company), Kurtis Bedford as Vultan, and David Beeler as the announcer and the Lieutenant. The original radio series broke with the strip continuity in the last two episodes, when Flash, Dale and Zarkov returned to Earth. We broke it completely.

Edit and  Sound effects by Tom Konkle.

Directed by Tom Konkle.       

Music by Bryan Arata and Tom Konkle.  

The show comedy version script by Tom Konkle and Kurtis Bedford. 

Producers Kurtis Bedford and Tom Konkle created the Mindstream Players.

Direct download: R-A-A-flash-gordon-EP6-zarkov-to-rescue.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 1:03pm EDT

PROJECT AUDION #38 -- The Jack Benny Program, "Mutiny on the Bounty"

Think you've heard almost every Jack Benny radio show? Try one that was just written! Project Audion presents a recreation newly penned by Robert L. Mills, former staff writer for Bob Hope. Project Audion has gathered the classic Benny gang, guest stars Charlie McCarthy and Edgar Bergen, and a virtual studio audience for a half hour of laughter, including a send-up of "Mutiny on the Bounty." Our transcontinental cast of voice actors even recorded this show live via Zoom on a Sunday night at 7. 

Featuring the talents of...

JACK BENNY: Scott R. McKinley, NJ

CHARLIE MCCARTHY / EFFIE KLINKER / MR. KITZEL: Duane Noch, NJ

EDGAR BERGEN: Larry Groebe, TX

MARY LIVINGSTONE: Denise Cline, KY

PHIL HARRIS: Norman Cline, KY

DENNIS DAY / FRANK NELSON: Bob Beaumont, CA

STAGE HAND / SHELDON LEONARD / MEL BLANC: Pete Lutz, TX 

DON WILSON: Ken Jeffries, CA

...and produced and directed by Larry Groebe

Direct download: a38-jack-benny-bounty-audio.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 1:23pm EDT

Old-time Radio Essentials continues its 3rd season with an episode of Birds Eye Open House – "Groucho Brings a Turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner"! This one's Pete's pick, or rather, that of his special guest, Essential Listener Noah Diamond*. Noah's an actor, author, podcaster, Marxian Scholar, and off-Broadway Groucho impersonator, not to mention a very funny guy, so you can imagine the discussion of this episode's merits by Noah and our three co-hosts will be sparkling and rapid-fire and exceptionally funny. But why imagine it? Tune in and find out!

And since we're on the subject of finding things out, while you listen you'll learn if we feel this entry meets the following criteria:

1. Is it truly representative of that series? (Can anyone point to it and say, "Yes, that is what [NAME OF SERIES] was all about.")

2. Is it an episode worthy of inclusion in any and every OTR aficionado's private collection?

So with this in mind, we three bring you, as our thirty-fifth number (but 10th official episode of S3), this episode of Birds Eye Open House, from 11/22/45. We'll introduce the show, play it in its entirety, then discuss it at length. Thanks for joining us, and we hope you enjoy it! 

Please show your support of the podcast by doing any of the following...

To comment on how we might improve OTR-E, or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at f6point3@gmail.com . Put the word "Essentials" in the subject line.

Your feedback means a lot to us! A review at iTunes or at your usual podcatcher would be appreciated.

Next Time: Dave brings us an episode of Let George Do It!

*Noah's body of work (and possibly his body) can be found at noahdiamond.com 

Direct download: OTR-E_Ep-35_Birdseye-Open-House_11-24-22_final.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 1:05am EDT

Season Three of Old-Time Radio Essentials continues! This time it's Pete's pick -- but he's invited Essential Listener Rick to choose something for us to enjoy and discuss. (NARADA RADIO COMPANY)

And since we're on the subject of discussion, we hope to determine whether this entry meets the following criteria:

1. Is it truly representative of that series? (Can anyone point to it and say, "Yes, that is what [NAME OF SERIES] was all about.")

2. Is it an episode worthy of inclusion in any and every OTR aficionado's private collection?

So with this in mind, we three bring you, as our twenty-ninth number (but 4th official episode of S3), this episode of The Red Skelton Program, from 4/29/49. We'll introduce the show, play it in its entirety, then discuss it at length. Thanks for joining us, and we hope you enjoy it! 

Please show your support of the podcast by doing any of the following!

To comment on how we might improve OTR-E, or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at f6point3@gmail.com . Put the word "Essentials" in the subject line.

Your feedback means a lot to us! A review at iTunes or at your usual podcatcher would be appreciated.

Next Time: An episode of Mark Trail, and another guest programmer!

Direct download: OTR-E_Ep-29_Red-Skelton_03-13-22_final_lr.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 1:10am EDT

The first of two shows, performed at KCAL's annual live dinner theatre, at the First Vineyard Winery in Nicholasville, Kentucky, on Saturday, October 29, 2022. KCAL OLD-TIME RADIO TROUPE

1st episode: Fibber McGee and Molly – “The Flying Saucer”

Cast (in order of appearance):

David Damron (Wilcox and Shriner)

Norman Cline (Fibber)

Denise Cline (Molly)

Steve Watts (Doc Gamble and Sergei)

Doug Fain (Officer, Mayor Latrivia, and General)

Susan Clements (1st woman)

Galisa Watts (2nd woman)

Connie McDonald (Rhoda)

Carolyn Threlkeld (Teeney)

Direct download: Fibber_McGee_and_Molly_UFO_1.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 12:30pm EDT

As performed (live) by the KCAL Old Time Radio Troupe from Nicholasville, Kentucky at their fall 2022 "Mixed Nuts" show.

Cast includes:

Norman Cline (Gildersleeve)

David Damron (Leroy)

Connie McDonald (Marjorie)

Denise Cline (Birdie and commercials)

Susan Clements (Leila)

Doug Fain (Peavey)

Steve Watts (Judge Hooker)

Cooper Bartlett (Dr. Hargrave).

Song by Rachel Williams and sound effects by Eddie Clements. www.kcalotr.com

Direct download: KCAL_Great_Gildersleeve_plus_song9rtz3.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 11:09am EDT

THE DAYCARE DASH (Comedy) Meet Julie, a modern-day urban single mom just trying to pick up her daughter Tina at the daycare center on time. Can Julie make it before the late fees set in? Ka-Ching, Ka-Ching. She has forty minutes to get to the garage and get crosstown. So on your marks, get set, GO...

CAST

GEORGIA LEE SCHULTZ - Julie

KEITH BURNETT - Lou and Cop

BRADY VAN VAERENBERGH - Man in Street and Man in Car

JOHN FRAY - Jeremy

BILL CRAVEN - Truck Driver

EMMA MCDONALD – Tina

Directed by George Zarr

Recording Engineer and Post Production – David Farquhar

Runtime: 11:19

Performance ©2022 Design Sound Productions / Voices in the Wind Audio Theatre

Direct download: Daycare_Dash_Master_For_Production.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 11:07pm EDT

Fred Allen is a name unfamiliar to most people today, but for two decades his radio show set the standard for the best of American humor. His comedy and satirical influence can be seen in everything from Looney Tunes to Saturday Night Live. Robert L. Mills, comedy writer for Bob Hope, has crafted a "new" Fred Allen show for Project Audion which successfully recalls the time Allen had the #1 program on the airwaves (in the late 1940s).

We'll visit "Allen's Alley" with Senator Claghorn, Mrs. Nussbaum, and others; take on "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" in a movie parody, and welcome guest stars Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, thanks to a coast-to-coast cast of sterling vocal talent which includes:

FRED ALLEN: John Bell, AL

MOODY / CASSIDY / BANDITO: Pete Lutz, TX

PORTLAND / MRS. NUSSBAUM: Julie Hoverson, WA

KENNY DELMAR: Ken Jeffries, CA

CLAGHORN / GRIZZY: Harry Middlebrooks, CA

EDGAR BERGEN: Robert L. Mills., CA

CHARLIE MCCARTHY: Scott McKinley, NJ

with Direction & Production by Larry Groebe, TX

Direct download: a34-fred-allen-complete-audio.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 11:53pm EDT

(Orig. rel. 8/14/22) The United Artists of Mutual present: More Bob & Ray! Recorded especially for Sonic Summerstock Playhouse 2022, it features Jeff Billard in the roles of Bob Elliott, and Pete Lutz as the many voices of Ray Goulding, in a half-hour of zany sketches. Enjoy!

1. Show open/Public Service Message

2. Fern Ock Veek, Sickly Whale Oil Processor

3. Einbinder Flypaper commercial

4. Happy Birthday, Ken Vose!

5. Anxiety!

6. Monongahela Metal Foundry commercial

7. Search for Togetherness

8. Mr. Science

9. Closing

Direct download: SSSP22_More-Bob-n-Ray_JeffB-PeteL.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 10:53am EDT

Sonic Summerstock 2022: The Campbell Playhouse production of TWENTIETH CENTURY -- this is the full production, available now as a single track!

(Orig. rel. 7/24/22) Please enjoy this special re-enactment of a classic radio play (adapted from a famous film and stage play). Twentieth Century is a screwball comedy, with laughs and situations that come at you as rapidly as the railroad train for which it's named. Listen and enjoy! NARADA RADIO COMPANY.

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

Les Marsden as OSCAR JAFFE

Rhiannon McAfee as LILY GARLAND

Dana Gonsalves as OWEN O'MALLEY

Pete Lutz as OLIVER WEBB and McGONIGLE

Lothar Tuppan as MAX JACOBS, LLOYD, and GERMAN ACTOR 1

John Bell as MR. CLARK and the COP

Rachel Pulliam as SADIE

Tom Konkle as GEORGE SMITH and ANNOUNCER

Carl Thomas as UNCLE RUFUS and THE PORTER

Larry Groebe as THE CONDUCTOR

Jesirae Kesler as ANITA and MISS SCHULTZ

Gino Vinanelli as FLANNAGAN, POP, and GERMAN ACTOR 2

Victoria Fancki as VALERIE and the WOMAN ON THE TRAIN

Jason D. Johnson as FATHER and the MAN ON THE TRAIN and

Jack Ward as STANLEY, the SHERIFF, and the WESTERN UNION MAN

Music by Ross Bernhardt

Special thanks to Rick Tribble for providing the "Rail Sounds" LP that furnished most of the...um...rail sounds. 

Direct download: SSSP22_20th-Cent__full-mix_final.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 9:56am EDT

Performed by the KCAL Old Time Radio Troupe in their downtown Nicholasville, Kentucky theater during the 2022 Summer show, June 24 - 26. This is an episode of "Easy Aces" called "Jane's Mother Comes To Visit".

Performers include Connie McDonald (Ace), Denise Cline (Jane), Susan Clements (Mrs. Bell), Kaitlyn Wesley (Miss Anderson), and Steve Watts (Ken and Mother) Singing the lead song is Rachel Williams. www.kcalotr.com

Direct download: KCAL_Easy_Aces_w_song.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 10:33am EDT

Performed by the KCAL Old Time Radio Troupe in their downtown Nicholasville, Kentucky theater during the 2022 Summer show, June 24 - 26. This is a combination of two "Lum and Abner" old time radio episode that aired in May of 1943.

Performers include David Damron as the announcer and Cedric, Norman Cline as Lum, and Doug Fain as Abner. Singing the lead song is Rachel Williams. www.kcalotr.com

Direct download: KCAL_LumNAbner_w_song.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 10:29am EDT

Premiering on Project Audion, a brand-new episode of "The Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy Show" that sounds just as if an unknown script from 1940 had suddenly turned up. That's just how spot-on is the writing in this tribute penned for Project Audion by former Bob Hope comedy writer Robert L Mills.

Charlie and Edgar come up against W. C. Fields as well as a snarky agent from the IRS who sounds suspiciously like the unmistakable voice of Frank Nelson. It's our tribute to that most improbable of vintage radio's hit shows - a radio comedy starring a ventriloquist. Close your eyes and listen, then rewind to watch how our coast-to-coast cast (pictured here) handled the transcribed-live performance. Delightful summertime entertainment that speaks for itself!

Participants in this show included:

Robert L. Mills in California

Duane Noch in New Jersey

Pete Lutz in Texas

Bob Beaumont in California

Paul Arbisi in Illinois and

JoAnne Kurman in California

Robert L. Mills penned the script, while Larry Groebe produced and handled the audio from Texas.

Direct download: Audion-31-bergen-mccarthy.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 1:14pm EDT

ADULT THEMES AND LANGUAGE - not for listeners under age 13

A tongue-in-cheek application of the classic Flash Gordon radio serial. In this hilarious send-up, Flash deals with hawk-men and a strange queen. 

Flash Gordon was played by Tom Konkle, later famous for nothing in particular. The cast also includes Rhiannon McAfee as Dale Arden, Gino C. Vianelli as Captain Thune, Stephanie Stearns Dulli as the Witch Queen Azora, Pete Lutz as Sal. Also starring Kurtis Bedford as Zug and starring Pete Handelman as the announcer and Hawkman with a hose. The original radio series broke with the strip continuity in the last two episodes, when Flash, Dale and Zarkov returned to Earth. (We broke it completely after we did a faithful version of episode one.) Edit and Sound effects by Tom Konkle. Music by Bryan Arata. The comedy version script by Tom Konkle. Producers Kurtis Bedford and Tom Konkle started the Mindstream Players.

Direct download: Reasonably_Amazing_Adventures_of_Flash_Gordon_Ep_5.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 1:21am EDT

In honor of Saint Paddy's day (March 17th), we've sent our intrepid reporter, Philboyd Studge, to New York City, home of the world's largest St. Patrick's Day parade, to interview someone who claims to be a leprechaun. You'll be "Wearin' of the Grin" by the time it's over, don't ye know. Enjoy!

Written and performed by Pete Lutz

NARADA RADIO COMPANY

Direct download: Philboyd-Studge-int-Leprechaun_2022.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 12:50pm EDT

Did Jack Benny ever have Bing Crosby and W.C. Fields both as guests on his long-running popular network radio show? Not until now! Robert L. Mills, former comedy writer to Bob Hope, has a created a “new” Jack Benny show that is so funny and so much like a vintage Benny show, you can easily be forgiven for thinking we've unearthed a lost episode. It also features appearances by cast regulars like Mary Livingston, Dennis Day, Phil Harris, Rochester and others.

Our talented voice actors include:

JACK BENNY / MR. KITZEL: Duane Noch, NJ

BING CROSBY / W.C. FIELDS: Michael Dees, CA

DENNIS DAY / FRANK NELSON: Bob Beamont, CA

PHIL HARRIS: Norman Cline, KY

DON WILSON: Ken Jeffries, CA MARY LIVINGSTONE: JoAnne Kurman, CA

PORTER / JOHNNY WEISSMULLER: Harry Middlebrooks, CA ROCHESTER: Carl Thomas, TX

Written, directed, and featuring a cameo appearance by Robert L. Mills, CA.

Larry Groebe in Texas handled the Sheldon Leonard role, cued up the virtual audience, and produced this Project Audion episode.

Direct download: Project_Audion_27___The_Jack_Benny_Show_Bennys_Crosby_Clambake.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 11:30am EDT

SO WE HAD SOME bandwidth left over for the month, and since one of our curators grew up both poor and Lutheran, he hates to see anything go to waste; so we're posting these comic sketches for your entertainment. It's entirely possible that this material has been released previously, but never before in this combination. ENJOY! NARADA RADIO COMPANY

All material in this segment written by Pete Lutz.

Direct download: com-trip-ftr_02-22.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 11:59am EDT

SPECIAL NOTE: This play is featured in my book, Get Me Out of Here and Other Plays, available at amazon.com and from the publisher, at these links:

https://www.amazon.com/Get-Out-Here-Other-Plays/dp/B0BV49MHJC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

https://gnashingteethpublishing.com/product/buy-get-me-out-of-here-pete-lutz/

OR...if you'd like an autographed copy, please contact me at f6point3@gmail.com, and I'll tell you how to get one. Thanks!

TRANSCONTINENTAL TERROR Presents: 

The Cellar Mini-Series, episode 3: The Second Helping

Originally released on the Mutual Audio Network in October 2021, this is the 3rd of five new episodes produced by 63audio for the month-long Transcontinental Terror audio series. 

In "The Second Helping", we explore the topic of Science Run Amok, a favorite topic of film and old-time radio! This hilarious homage to the likes of Arch Oboler, Wyllis Cooper, Roger Corman and James Whale (among others) will have you running for your life with laughter! Written, directed and produced by Pete Lutz. NARADA RADIO COMPANY

CAST:

ANNOUNCER - Robin Robbins

CADAVERA QUIVRY - Angela Young

DARCY – Dawn Robertson

DERRY – Jackie Ayers

FERGUS – Dana Gonsalves

MOTHER – Riley Lutz

CREATURE – John Bell

TV REPORTER – Pam Pailes

GENERAL M'LAISE – Austin Beach

MAJOR CHIP ERROR – Pete Lutz

SERGEANT TIM PLAITE WHISTLE – Jason D. Johnson

CAPTAIN – John Bell

MR. FLUFFNUGGETS – Lisa Michaud

Music composed and performed by Dr. Ross Bernhardt

Song: So Long Mom (I'm Off to Drop the Bomb) by Tom Lehrer (public domain), performed by Pete Lutz and Ross Bernhardt, with new lyrics by Pete Lutz

Direct download: TC-MS_E03_SH_final.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 7:07am EDT

Not too many stars from the OTR era have also hosted Saturday Night Live and a Broadway show, but comic geniuses Bob & Ray did it - and so Project Audion salutes them with a recreation of the offbeat, deadpan humor that aired on radio networks across the country for years starting in the early 1950s. John Bell in Alabama, and Pete Lutz in Texas take on the many characters created by Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding in an assemblage of sketches - both familiar and obscure - designed to replicate the kind of free flowing absurdity they did so well. Larry Groebe is there as well, handling the production aspects from Dallas.

Direct download: Project_Audion_22_The_Bob_and_Ray_Show_online-audio-converter.com.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 6:44pm EDT

HEY THERE! We had some bandwidth left over at the end of the month and we didn't want it to go to waste, since we're paying for it after all...so here are a few comedy sketches that we think you'll enjoy, most of them being parodies of TV shows and commercials. Thanks for listening, and watch for the new shows coming in September!

Direct download: 4-bits_comedy.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 6:32pm EDT

Like the title says, this live show was performed and recorded in 1989, staged as a mock radio broadcast to entertain the ladies of "WAVES National", an organization whose members had served or were still serving in the U.S. Navy. They held their annual convention in Atlanta that year.

All characters played by Pete Lutz and John Bayer, who were, respectively, serving on active duty and in the Naval Reserve at the time.

WAVES, by the way, stands for Women's Auxiliary Volunteer Emergency Service, which goes back to World War I. Nowadays all women serving in the Navy are full-fledged Sailors, serving on combat-ready ships and on submarines.

The comedy sketches in this program were written by Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding, with filler written by Pete Lutz.

Direct download: PPT_BONUS-bluejacket-journal_1989.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 9:30am EDT

KCAL Presents FOUR STAR PLAYHOUSE: The Incredible Annalee

Performed live at the KCAL Hometown Theater, in Nicholasville, KY at its summer show June 25 - 27, 2021, this is the KCAL Old Time Radio Troupe presenting an episode of old-time radio show Four Star Playhouse. This episode, which originally aired on NBC on August 21, 1951, is called "The Incredible Annalee".

KCAL Troupe members are, in order of appearance:

Doug Fain (Announcer)

Denise Cline (Commercial and Operator)

Connie McDonald (Annalee)

David Damron (Jim)

Norman Cline (Pickerel)

Steve Watts (Carlyle)

Direct download: KCAL_IncredibleAnnalee_audio_only_6-25-21.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 2:24pm EDT

KCAL Presents: GRAND MARQUEE: A Man's Home is Her Castle

Performed live at the KCAL Hometown Theater, in Nicholasville, KY at its summer show June 25 - 27, 2021, this is the KCAL Old Time Radio Troupe presenting an episode of old-time radio show Grand Marquee. This episode, which originally aired on NBC on February 29, 1947, is called "A Man's Home is Her Castle".

KCAL Troupe members are, in order of appearance:

David Damron (Announcer)

Steve Watts (commercials)

Denise Cline (Jane)

Norman Cline (Dick)

Connie McDonald (Gladys)

Doug Fain (Elwood Marsden)

Direct download: KCAL_MansHomeHerCastle_audio_only_6-25-21.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 2:19pm EDT

The Turnbuckle Television Cartel presents a comedy show about doctors and nurses -- 'IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST'! It's your new prescription for laughter!

CAST:

Darren Rockhold, George Hatfield, Omar Lopez, Nancy Gaugler, Derek Rhein and Angela Young

Written, produced and directed by Pete Lutz

Direct download: TTC_if_symptoms_persist_final.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 7:22am EDT

Do you hate when the cheesy coating of chips gets all over your fingers? Those days are gone forever! Coming to you from the Good Quality Value Network (GQVN), this comedy segment features presenters Buffy Mae Updike and Grady September Morning, demonstrating the wonderful and one-of-a-kind new household product, "The Cheez-Finger"!  (NARADA RADIO COMPANY)

BUFFY MAE UPDIKE: Kendra Womack

GRADY SEPTEMBER MORNING: John Washington

Music: "Deadly Roulette" by Kevin MacLeod

"Grandstand" theme from the BBC archives

This sketch was written, produced and directed by Pete Lutz

Direct download: S4-MS_The-Cheez-Finger.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 7:08am EDT

One of the many special features that would appear between-the-acts of episodes of the Pulp-Pourri Theatre series is the Philboyd Studge Interview: intrepid reporter Studge traveled the globe, chatting with interesting, yet wholly fictitious, people who might have an unusual occupation; or an unusual name; or own a business with an unusual name. In this installment, Philboyd interviews a potato chip inspector with an interesting hobby. Enjoy! 

Written by Pete Lutz

DeVour "Maurice" Bunch: Derek Rhein

Philboyd Studge: Himself

Direct download: 008_p-studge_int_potato_chip_insp_complete.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 12:55pm EDT

THE PHILBOYD STUDGE INTERVIEW: Owner of a Fire Extinguisher Factory (COMEDY)

One of several interviews by the Narada Radio Company's globe-trotting reporter, Philboyd Studge, this time he's in Lost Dog Falls Vermont, interviewing the owner of the 4-F Fire Extinguisher Company, Fred Fernandez. 

Written and produced by Pete Lutz

Fred Fernandez: R. C. Lutz

Felicity Fernandez: Jordan Bruster

Philboyd Studge as Himself

Direct download: 007_Philboyd_Studge_Interviews_Fred_F.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 1:49am EDT

SPECIAL NOTE: This play is featured in my book, Get Me Out of Here and Other Plays, available at amazon.com and from the publisher, at these links:

https://www.amazon.com/Get-Out-Here-Other-Plays/dp/B0BV49MHJC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

https://gnashingteethpublishing.com/product/buy-get-me-out-of-here-pete-lutz/

OR...if you'd like an autographed copy, please contact me at f6point3@gmail.com, and I'll tell you how to get one. Thanks!

PRESENTING...AN ALL-NEW MUSICAL AUDIO COMEDY -- In the style of a Marx Brothers movie! It's Do I Specter? I'll Say I Do!

Written, produced and directed by life-long Marx Brothers fan Pete Lutz especially for World Audio Drama Day 2020, 63audio presents a scenario unlike anything seen in any Marx Bros. film: 

Mr. Woodrow Fillmore Protoplasm is a ghost-hunter, hired to rid Stately Manor on Long Island of the ghost of the widow's late husband, who refuses to cross over. A little later, he's also hired by an Italian piano player whose brother's ghost won't cross over, either. And then, Protoplasm's son meets up with yet another ghost, who's been hiding in Stately Manor for 30 years! It's spooks a-plenty for our heroes, and for you, our listeners!

Chock-full of Marx-style humor and hijinks, this new play also features two new songs, composed especially for this production by Pete Lutz, and orchestrated by Dr. Ross Bernhardt. Set your Ouija Boards for laughter! NARADA RADIO COMPANY

DISCLAIMER: This production was recorded remotely during the month of September 2020 in the (soon-to-be-historical, we hope) COVID-19 pandemic. Sound quality of the actors' microphones as a result varies. We hope this does not take away from your overall enjoyment of this play. (But if it does, well, there's not much you can do about it.) Thank you.  Thank YOH!

CAST:

Lori Bryant as MRS. BRITANNIA NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE

Frank Gugliemelli as CHIVES

Chris Messersmith as the Ghost of MR. NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE

Todd Faulkner as WOODROW FILLMORE PROTOPLASM

Nick Wommack as JAMISON PROTOPLASM

Jackie Ayers as LILLIAN STATELY

Grace Wagner as PROTOPLASM'S SECRETARY/MANICURIST

Les Marsden as RIGATONI and the Whistle of SHADOW

John Bell as MAYOR GOTTLIEB

Your Announcer is C. K. STANDARD

Additional music composed and performed by Dr. Ross Bernhardt

SPECIAL THANKS to the hosts of "The Marx Brothers Council Podcast", Noah Diamond, Matthew Coniam and Bob Gassell, for inspiring me (inadvertently) to write this play, and to Ms. Grace Wagner, for her enthusiasm for the project and very special contributions to the script.

Direct download: DO-I-SPECTER-ILL-SAY-I-DO_final.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 12:28am EDT

HOOFBEATS IN MY HEART – EP1 (COMEDY/MUSICAL WESTERN) An Audio Theatre Serial in 13 episodes - Time to saddle up pard’ners and join Ruby Buckaroo ‘The Bandit Queen of the Cowboys’ as she takes you on a hilarious romp through the Wild West. In hot pursuit, Marshall Shiloh Brown tracks Ruby to the dusty town of West Buzzard’s Bottom and calls for her immediate arrest.

Once captured, he succumbs to an inconvenient and severe case of ‘Hoofbeats in His Heart.’ And to make matters worse, Ruby’s very jealous ex-suitor Sheriff Huck Buckskin enters, forming an awkward love-triangle between two lawmen and a bandit. With seventeen original songs, the old west will never be the same in this zany twisted musical tale of fake history.

Written, directed, and composed by George Zarr. Featuring marssie Mencotti, Edwin Wald, multi-award-winning voice talent Barbara Rosenblat, and a Full Cast.

CHECK OUT ALL 13 EPISODES ON OUR WEBSITE! Enter Promo Code: Voices20 to Receive a 15% Discount.

HOOFBEATS IN MY HEART – Website Page

https://www.voicesinthewind.ca/hoofbeats-in-my-heart-comedymusical-western-full-cast/

Direct download: Hoofbeats_in_My_Heart_-_Episode_One_320.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 10:42pm EDT

HOLY MOSES MURPHY (COMEDY)

Here's a tale of the "Average Joe", the Everyman. A light-hearted look at one man's post-war journey toward making a new, better life for himself. This is "Holy Moses Murphy", Episode 5 of Pulp-Pourri Theatre's first season. Adapted from a story by James C. Lynch, directed and produced by Pete Lutz. NARADA RADIO COMPANY

CAST:

ANNOUNCER: Lisa Ayala

EDDIE CROSBY: Austin Tower

HOLY MOSES MURPHY: Carl Yowell

MARY MONTGOMERY: Katherine Crawford

MIKE HANNIGAN: Larry Hutchison

BOX LUNCH GUY: Philboyd Studge

SPECIAL FEATURES CAST:

R.C. Lutz, Philboyd Studge

Direct download: PPT_S1E05_holy-moses-murphy.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 7:36am EDT

Created especially for Sonic Summerstock Playhouse 2020, we present a loving re-creation of several sketches from the famous radio comedy duo, Bob & Ray. These sketches were selected from their 1980s-era radio show for NPR. Directed by Pete Lutz and post-produced by John Bell, with music by Dr. Ross Bernhardt. NARADA RADIO COMPANY

JOHN BELL as Bob Elliott

PETE LUTZ as Ray Goulding

Direct download: SSSP20_Bob-n-Ray_PL-JB.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 5:02pm EDT

"CONVINCE ME," I SAID! (NARADA RADIO COMPANY)

Orig. rel. 8-10-14, "Convince Me, I Said" is based on a War-Fiction short story of the same name by Craig Ellis, currently in the public domain.  This is Season 1 Episode 12 of "Pulp-Pourri Theatre", an anthology audio drama series, each based on a different pulp fiction genre. Adapted, Directed and Produced by Pete Lutz.  All materials such as sound effects and incidental music in this production were sourced from the public domain. Special features between the acts written by Pete Lutz.

CAST:

Sailor 1: John Valadez

Sailor 2: Jason D. Johnson

Sailor 3: Dana Gonsalves

Sailor 4: Skeeter Ullman

SPECIAL FEATURES CAST:

"BIX BIXBY BOOK REVIEW": Pete Lutz, Nick Wommack, Austin Hanna

"W.O.L.F." Telethon: Pete Lutz

"EMERGENCY APOTHECARY #1": Pete Lutz, Andres Elizondo II, Micah Blain

"INSOMNIA THEATRE: The Kaiser of New York": Pete Lutz, Jason D. Johnson, John Valadez

Direct download: PPT_S1E12_convince-me-i-said.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 12:09am EDT

ANYTHING TO OBLIGE (COMEDY) was a baseball story penned by Samuel G. Camp, published in the June 19, 1920 issue of All-Story Magazine. A down-on-his-luck baseball scout is sent to sign a southpaw pitcher and gets more than he bargained for. Adapted, produced & directed by Pete Lutz. From Pulp-Pourri Theatre's first season, released June 19, 2014. 

Our cast includes Bob Caro, Dana Gonsalves, Nancy Bueler, Gene Giggy, Kevin Schuster and R. C. Lutz, with a cameo by the director. Commercials and special features written and produced by Pete Lutz. NARADA RADIO COMPANY

Direct download: PPT_S1E09_anything-to-oblige.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 5:20pm EDT

THE MAN WHO COULD WORK MIRACLES (COMEDY) George McWhirter Fotheringay is just a regular bloke... until he discovers the ability to make things happen simply by thinking about them. He tries to use his power for good but can't quite seem to get it right. An original musical adaptation of H.G. Wells's comic story. CHATTERBOX AUDIO THEATER

Direct download: The_Man_Who_Could_Work_Miracles.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 6:04pm EDT

A THURBER DOUBLE FEATURE (COMEDY) Two James Thurber stories, fully dramatized in the Pulp-Pourri Theatre style by the Narada Radio Company. First off is Thurber's 1942 classic, "The Catbird Seat", telling of the troubles of Mr. Martin, an office worker, who must defend himself against the machinations of a so-called efficiency expert. How Martin deals with her is something you don't want to miss. After that comes "The Topaz Cufflinks Mystery" from 1932, a vignette about a man, a woman, a cop, and a very strange experiment. Together these stories are comedy gold!  Narada Radio Company

 

Direct download: Thurber-Double-Feature.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 6:12pm EDT

ROMAN A CLEF – PART 2 OF 2 (COMDEY) So a guy walks into a bar and... nothing happens. Chatterbox presents an original comedy about thunderstorms, dictionaries, and the expectations of entertainment. Part one of two. Chatterbox Audio Theater

 

Direct download: Roman_a_Clef_Part_2.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 7:43pm EDT

ROMAN A CLEF – PART 1 (COMDEY) So a guy walks into a bar and... nothing happens. Chatterbox presents an original comedy about thunderstorms, dictionaries, and the expectations of entertainment. Part one of two. Chatterbox Audio Theater

 

Direct download: Roman_a_Clef_Part_1.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 5:21pm EDT

MYTHOLOGIA, EPISODE 03 OF 3: THE AESIR AND THE BUILDING OF THE WALL (COMEDY/DRAMA) In this Norse myth, Odin and his family create a home for themselves in Asgard. But to keep themselves safe, they'll need to build a wall, a wall that can only be built by magic, and whose construction comes at a great price. Chatterbox Audio Theater

 

Direct download: Mythologia_Ep_03_The_Aesir.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 2:35pm EDT

MYTHOLOGIA, EPISODE 02: ANNIE CHRISTMAS (COMEDY/DRAMA) Keelboat pilot Annie Christmas rescues her crew from the devious Ekrom Edgerton and helps her cousin Caleb stand up to bully Jabez Mulligan in this American story. Chatterbox Audio Theater

 

Direct download: Mythologia_Ep_02_Annie_Christmas.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 2:25pm EDT

MYTHOLOGIA, EPISODE 01: CUPID AND PSYCHE (COMEDY/DRAMA)You'd think a romance with the God of Love would be easy, but Psyche discovers otherwise in this ancient tale of jealous goddesses, talking ants, and timeless love. Chatterbox Audio Theater

 

Direct download: Mythologia_Ep_01_Cupid_and_Psyche.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 6:59pm EDT

 

WELCOME TO WILLIAMSVILLE (COMEDY) Welcome to Williamsville, where tradition and routine dictate the ebb and flow of life. Yet, Williamsville is not without its stories… How do one repressed arsonist, a sexually-charged geriatric, a slimy drug dealer and a soccer mom on steroids combine in the most exciting thing to happen in Williamsville since 1936? Starring a cast of talented and twisted University of Southern Maine students. Finalrune Productions

 

Direct download: tales-from-williamsville-web.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 3:19pm EDT

ROBOTS, VAMPIRES AND SATELLITES (COMEDY) This live performance, a collaboration with the Memphis Comic and Fantasy Convention and the Memphis College of Art, tells the story of a robot vampire and the unexpected friendship that helps him discover his true function. Featuring renowned voice actor Tom Kenny.  Chatterbox Audio Theater

Direct download: Robots_Vampires_and_Satellites.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 8:56pm EDT

TWO IF BY SEA (COMEDY) From writer, director Julie Hoverson a screwball comedy about a woman on board a ship in the early part of the last century, and she's not who she claims to be, but then, who does?

19 Nocturne Boulevard

 

Direct download: 19Noc_TwoIfBySea.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 6:58pm EDT

HAUNTER HUNTERS (COMEDY) Meet zany paranormal investigators Terry and Steve as they try to explain their Reality Show Haunter Hunters to a talk show host. Performed Live.  Atlanta Radio Theatre Company

Direct download: ARTC75-HaunterHunters.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 6:00pm EDT

SPACEGIRL -  DOWNLOADING THE LEGACY (COMEDY) Join Melinda Peterson as SpaceGirl, with David Ossman and Phil Proctor of the Firesign Theatre and Gordon Smuder of Transylvania TV in this sendup of superhero comics on radio. “The clever team of Stearns and Price are back again with another space adventure! Very nice indeed.  A tight script, good acting and surprisingly good sound especially for a live performance. As you’ll hear, there are certainly a lot of laughs in this one. It’s a very polished piece of work. – Tom Lopez, ZBS    Great Northern Audio Theatre

Direct download: SpaceGirl-Downloading_the_Legacy.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 2:59pm EDT

THE GAME IS AFOOT THE ADVENTURES OF THE TICK TOCK DICK (COMEDY) A hilarious take off of the Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson characters. Performed live.  Atlanta Radio Theatre Company

Direct download: ARTC115Game3.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 5:48pm EDT

THE GAME IS AFOOT THE PHANTOM CHIPPENDALE (COMEDY) A hilarious take off of the Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson characters. Performed live.  Atlanta Radio Theatre Company

Direct download: thegameisafootartc.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 5:05pm EDT

MY THREE GRANDMOTHERS (COMEDY) Think having two grandmothers is a hoot? Young Jessie has three! Their mad dash to the mall for doughnuts ends up with the family car submerged in the lake. Twice! RZM Creative

 

 

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Direct download: grandmothers.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 7:55pm EDT

THREE WIZARD TALES (COMEDY) Three tales of wizards, magic and silliness recorded before a live audience. “High Moon”, “Tell Them NAPA Sent You” and “Wizard Jack”. Great Northern Audio Theatre

 

 

Direct download: threewizards.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 6:12pm EDT

HILL MANOR (COMEDY) Jonah Hill runs a Bed and Breakfast and is a most disagreeable man. The only thing worse than running a B&B is trying to make his mother, his wife and the guests from Vancouver happy!

Electric Vicuna Productions

 

 

Direct download: hillmanor.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 4:59pm EDT

BULL STUD, HE-MAN MYSTERY WRITER - (COMEDY) A hard-boiled thriller writer with a soft-boiled character solves a case of international espionage with the aid of his domineering mother, his psychoanalyst and a dancing horse. ZPPR Productions

Direct download: bullstud.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 6:41pm EDT