Old-time radio shows found magic in creating a world that allowed listeners to use their imaginations. Oracle’s production of three radio dramas interferes in that process, but their various stagings prove interesting substitutes for the mental landscape.
“X Minus One, ” an examination of a Martian attack directed by Laura K. Smith, makes entertaining use of screens and shadows and its actors lipsynch expertly to the period dialogue. “Suspense,” an old Orson Welles thriller, didn’t fair quite as well; director Brendan Balfe’s use of pantomime wasn’t quite as evocative and the audio sounded tinny. On the lighter side, Lyndsay Kane’s “Hopalong Cassidy” presented a well-written, cleanly staged aural snapshot of the Old West.
The commercials connecting the broadcasts were pure camp. The scripts captured bygone times, drawing laughs when a character filled his gas tank for $1.59. Those days are gone but thanks to this show, they’re not forgotten. (Lisa Buscani)
Oracle Theatre, 3809 North Broadway,(252)220-0269. Through August 4.
Let’s See Together: A Review of "Choir Boy" at Steppenwolf Theatre Among other compelling reasons to see "Choir Boy" is the power and musicianship on songs sung by the young men who play the students in the choir at the Black, Christian Charles R. Drew School for Boys.
Not Without A Fight: A Review of "Relentless" at TimeLine Theatre Though the characters in "Relentless" are educated and well-to-do, they are far from reserved in world view—their rage seethes, hidden only by the comfort of their surroundings and the decorum of their lives.
Buggin’ Out: A Review of Bug at Steppenwolf Theatre The audience is the fly on the wall of a dingy Oklahoma hotel room where Agnes White is taking refuge from her recently released, abusive ex-husband Jerry.
