Radio Redux Presents Treasure Island on KVAL 13

Swashbuckling pirates, tropical islands and buried gold are at the heart of Fred Crafts' Radio Redux's adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island" at the Wildish Community Theater in Springfield on Oct. 14-16.

Presented by Willamalane Park and Recreation District, "Treasure Island" centers on young Jim Hawkins, whose discovery of a treasure map hidden in a dead seaman's chest sends him to the South Seas in search of hidden riches. Along the way, he runs headlong into such nefarious characters as Black Dog, Blind Pew, Billy Bones, Ben Gunn and a tricky peg-legged sea cook named Long John Silver, whose unexpected mutiny nearly capsizes the entire affair.

Radio Redux will perform a pirate-filled one-hour adaptation of Orson Welles' 1938 "Mercury Theatre on the Air" broadcast series, which included "War of the Worlds," perhaps the most famous program in radio history.

Radio Redux's cast features two-time Emmy Award-winning actor Mark Lewis, whose acting credits include pirates in Disneyland's "Pirates of the Caribbean," in the role of Long John Silver. Other cast members include South Eugene High School junior Spencer Hansen as Young Jim Hawkins, Mike Moskovitz as Capt. Flint, Frank Muhr as Dr. Livesey, Earl Ruttencutter as Capt. Smollett, Bary Shaw as Ben Gunn, Judi Weinkauf as Mother Hawkins and Steve Wehmeier as Squire Trelawney.

The versatile actors will create multiple characters in the productions, while Mike Moskovitz also does sound and music effects. Crafts will direct.

Radio Redux's production includes vintage commercials and period sound effects and music that honor the Golden Age of Radio. The shows are performed in front of a studio audience as if being broadcast on the air.

The shows are suitable for all ages. "Treasure Island" is especially suited for children.

The Radio Redux Players will perform its shows on three consecutive days -- at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sundays at the Wildish Community Theater, 630 Main St., Springfield.

"Treasure Island" kicks off Radio Redux's 2011-12 season, which includes:

• "It's a Wonderful Life" (Dec. 16, 17 and 18) — Holiday cheer and warmth abound in the touching 1930s tale of one man's quest for what's really important in life -- and death.

• "The Philadelphia Story" (Feb. 17, 18 and 19) — A magazine reporter gets more than just a story while covering a Philadelphia socialite's wedding in one of the greatest screwball comedies of all time.

• "Radio Daze" (April 13, 14 and 15) — Return to those thrilling days of yesteryear with a light-hearted tribute to the famous stars and popular shows that created the Golden Age of Radio.

Season tickets for the four productions, which are now on sale, are $45 for adults and $35 for seniors (age 62+) and students. Tickets to individual productions can be purchased separately at $13 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. Tickets are available at any Willamalane facility or by calling 541-736-4544.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• radio redux Willamalane
• park & recreation
• Springfield
• oregon
• wildish theater
• Treasure Island
• Theatre Drama
• golden age of radio