Turn Up the Dial

During The 1940's Radio Hour's last appearance at the Arvada Center in 2004, love was most certainly in the air. Production leads Joseph Bearss and Shannan Steele met playing a match made on stage -- a connection eventually mirrored by real life. Now married, the couple reprises their role in...

By Bree Davies

December 1, 2011

Audio By Carbonatix

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During The 1940's Radio Hour's last appearance at the Arvada Center in 2004, love was most certainly in the air. Production leads Joseph Bearss and Shannan Steele met playing a match made on stage -- a connection eventually mirrored by real life. Now married, the couple reprises their role in the WWII-era festive tale of the Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade, a group preparing for a final radio show for the troops before going home for the holidays.

Back for a third run, the production also features a full band on stage as members of the cast. "It's not often you a see a thirteen-piece band front and center, as part of the production," says Arvada Center spokeswoman Melanie Mayner. But live bands were integral parts of radio variety shows and necessary to keep the productions authentic; it also gives bigger life to songs like "I'll Be Seeing You" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

The 1940's Radio Hour runs from November 29 to December 23 on the Arvada Center's Main Stage, 6901 Wadsworth Boulevard in Arvada. Tickets are $35-$72. For showtimes and to purchase tickets, visit www.arvadacenter.org or call 720-898-7200.
Saturdays, Sundays, 2 p.m.; Tuesdays-Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, 1 p.m.; Mon., Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., Dec. 23, 2 p.m. Starts: Nov. 26. Continues through Dec. 23, 2011

Bree Davies is a multimedia journalist, artist advocate and community organizer born and raised in Denver. Rooted in the world of Do-It-Yourself arts and music, Davies co-founded Titwrench experimental music festival, is host of the local music and comedy show Sounds on 29th on CPT12 Colorado Public Television and is creator and host of the civic and social issue-focused podcast, Hello? Denver? Are You Still There? Her work is centered on a passionate advocacy for all ages, accessible, inclusive, non-commercial and autonomous DIY art spaces and music venues in Denver.

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