Classic Radio Road Show: From the Golden Age of Radio to the Modern Age of Zoom

As part of Monmouth Arts' 50th Anniversary, we're taking time to showcase some of the nonprofit member groups that form the foundation of Monmouth Arts' creative community. In this installment, we're looking at Classic Radio Road Show, an organization that has produced 46 radio plays since the group started four years ago, bringing listeners back in time to the 1940s and 1950s when radio plays were a staple of American culture and entertainment. We checked in with Artistic Director Duane Noche to see what the group is working on these days.

For those who aren't familiar with Classic Radio Road Show, tell us a little about your nonprofit.

Classic Radio Road Show recreates the art form of the dramatic radio play from the Golden Age of Radio. Scenes from classic stories are enhanced by sound effects, music, and the voices of talented actors. We offer live and recorded performances of scripts by the most creative writers of that era that will awaken a listener's imagination.

Give one example of a way you've seen your organization's work make a difference.

Our group has done fundraising performances for the New Jersey Blind Citizens Association and for Cross of Glory Church in Aberdeen. It was so satisfying for us to be in a position to help such an important causes.

How are you operating right now in regards to reopening? Have you made any adaptations due to COVID-19 that our readers would be interested in hearing about?

For most of the pandemic we've been providing content via Zoom and through recordings on our website. In July 2021 we performed live for the first time since 2019 at the Middletown Arts Center (MAC), and we're producing another show of Halloween stories at the MAC on Friday, October 22 at 7:30pm -- "On a Country Road" and "The Tell-Tale Heart."

Can you share an interesting anecdote or something about your nonprofit that would surprise people?

The pandemic actually helped to bring some talented performers into our fold who we would not have had the opportunity to work with otherwise. We had voice actors Zoom in for performances from Texas, California, Pennsylvania, and all over New Jersey.

What are you looking forward to for the rest of 2021?

We're looking forward to our show at the Middletown Arts Center on October 22, and for our fourth annual radio play performance of "It's a Wonderful Life," which will also be at the MAC on December 19 at 2:00pm.

Monmouth Arts has a great network of arts supporters. How can our members and readers support your nonprofit right now?

Please visit our website and make a tax deductible donation of only $20 for access to our library of six recordings, or better yet, come to one of our live shows at Middletown Arts Center!