Presented by WMNF-88.5 FM Community Radio and the Studio@620 multipurpose arts venue, the Radio Theatre Project Live series gets in the spirit of Christmas, offering the kind of holiday entertainment folks enjoyed before screens dominated the world.
The program includes the comedic “Plot to Overthrow Christmas,” a 2008 retelling of a show by Norman Corwin and the CBS Columbia Workshop, which rhymes like Dr. Seuss, even though it took place several years before the books hit the stands. It's a 35-minute tale that depicts Nero playing the violin in hell, where he's roped into an assassination plot targeting Santa Claus.
In "Another Merry Christmas" by Jim Wicker, Santa returns home from his annual trip around the world delivering gifts, but he's not his usual jolly self. Santa’s personal elf assistant, Izzy, helps him get back into the Ol' St. Nick spirit.
For "Noel!! Noel!! The Continuing Adventures of Noel Berlin, Cabaret Detective," Paul Wilborn and Matt Cowley bring us more murder and mayhem with a yuletide twist, plus a Christmas cabaret sing-along and surprise gifts and treats.
RTP Live's shows, recorded before a live audience and broadcast later on WMNF, are full-cast productions with actors and live sound effects. Though the programs are in the tradition of the golden age of radio theater, it is not old-time radio — expect contemporary stories with a modern sensibility. The scripts and performers are courtesy of a joint project between the Studio@620 and WMNF Community Radio, which received a grant from the Florida Humanities Council to feature plays based in Florida and/or written by Florida authors. Performances are at the Studio@620 in St. Petersburg, and broadcast on Soundstage, a radio theater show on The Source, WMNF’s digital talk and arts channel.
Mon., Dec. 16, 7 p.m. The Studio@620, 620 First Ave. S., St Petersburg. $10 suggested donation (pay what you can). 727-895-6620. studio620.org.
