‘On Air’ at Creative Cauldron is a delightful musical about early radio
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| Jimmy Mavrikes as Frank Conrad and Nora Palka as Flora Conrad in “On Air” at Creative Cauldron. [Keith Waters Kx Photography] |
By David Siegel
Dancing
and singing over the wireless airways – how might it have happened? What might
have been a dry history lesson is given delightfully appealing musical charm in
Creative Cauldron’s world premiere production of “On Air.”
and singing over the wireless airways – how might it have happened? What might
have been a dry history lesson is given delightfully appealing musical charm in
Creative Cauldron’s world premiere production of “On Air.”
It’s the fifth and final
installment of the Cauldron’s unique, home-grown repertory series, “Bold New Works for
Intimate Stages.”
“On
Air” has 15 original numbers by Matt Conner (music) and Gregory Smith (lyrics) that provide
the engaging, emotional underpinnings to the show and
its easygoing dramatic action.
Air” has 15 original numbers by Matt Conner (music) and Gregory Smith (lyrics) that provide
the engaging, emotional underpinnings to the show and
its easygoing dramatic action.
Set in
Pittsburgh from the 1920s through 1941, “On Air” effortlessly and smoothly
communicates the fictionalized story of Frank and Flora Conrad. The Conrads
were at the forefront of discovering what is now known as mass broadcasting.
How so? They are given credit for establishing the first radio station in
America as they tinkered together in their garage.
Pittsburgh from the 1920s through 1941, “On Air” effortlessly and smoothly
communicates the fictionalized story of Frank and Flora Conrad. The Conrads
were at the forefront of discovering what is now known as mass broadcasting.
How so? They are given credit for establishing the first radio station in
America as they tinkered together in their garage.
The production
begins with the fast-paced opening number “Roaring” that sets the
time period, and then “Fire Hall Waltz,” a duet that depicts how the main
characters “meet cute.”
begins with the fast-paced opening number “Roaring” that sets the
time period, and then “Fire Hall Waltz,” a duet that depicts how the main
characters “meet cute.”
The humor of “I
Wouldn’t Wish” provides a delightful way to depict the lonely frustration of
being alone in bed missing romance too often, while “Time to Go” and “I Can Hear
You” are hushed ballads of love. “Election Night” is the opportunity to provide
propellant to a scene of the full company energetically moving and dancing.
Wouldn’t Wish” provides a delightful way to depict the lonely frustration of
being alone in bed missing romance too often, while “Time to Go” and “I Can Hear
You” are hushed ballads of love. “Election Night” is the opportunity to provide
propellant to a scene of the full company energetically moving and dancing.
Creative
Cauldron’s casting and direction (by Conner and Smith) are outstanding. “On Air” is
full of terrific singers who are also engaging actors. The ensemble captivates
as they invite the audience into the lives of those associated with radio’s
early development. The voices that fill the intimate Creative Cauldron space in
solos, duets, and group numbers are beautifully on the money.
Cauldron’s casting and direction (by Conner and Smith) are outstanding. “On Air” is
full of terrific singers who are also engaging actors. The ensemble captivates
as they invite the audience into the lives of those associated with radio’s
early development. The voices that fill the intimate Creative Cauldron space in
solos, duets, and group numbers are beautifully on the money.
Jimmy Mavrikes, in
his Creative Cauldron debut, plays radio pioneer Frank Conrad as a driven,
curious, inquisitive, and ultimately decent man. He is a man with faults to
overcome, but we root for him, rather than find him unlikable when he too often
overlooks his family while tinkering late into the night. Nora Palka is a human
magnet of warmth, love, and support as Flora Conrad, wife and radio development
partner of Frank Conrad.
his Creative Cauldron debut, plays radio pioneer Frank Conrad as a driven,
curious, inquisitive, and ultimately decent man. He is a man with faults to
overcome, but we root for him, rather than find him unlikable when he too often
overlooks his family while tinkering late into the night. Nora Palka is a human
magnet of warmth, love, and support as Flora Conrad, wife and radio development
partner of Frank Conrad.
Garrett Matthews
plays Dr. Harry P. Davis, who represents the business side of radio’s
development into a commercial enterprise as founder of the first radio station
in Pittsburgh, KDKA.
plays Dr. Harry P. Davis, who represents the business side of radio’s
development into a commercial enterprise as founder of the first radio station
in Pittsburgh, KDKA.
An amusingly
expressive Erin Granfield portrays Agnes, the too-often-lonely-for-affection
wife of Dr. Davis. A spunky, animated Owen Thiebert appears as both Francis Conrad,
the Conrads’ son, and as the Young Frank Conrad. Robert Aubry Davis appears as
the mellifluous narrator called the “Radio Voice.” Ensconced in a radio booth,
Davis is the connecting glue between the show’s 15 scenes, providing snippets
of history and commentary.
expressive Erin Granfield portrays Agnes, the too-often-lonely-for-affection
wife of Dr. Davis. A spunky, animated Owen Thiebert appears as both Francis Conrad,
the Conrads’ son, and as the Young Frank Conrad. Robert Aubry Davis appears as
the mellifluous narrator called the “Radio Voice.” Ensconced in a radio booth,
Davis is the connecting glue between the show’s 15 scenes, providing snippets
of history and commentary.
Margie Jervis’ set
design for the Cauldron’s production of “On Air” is a joy. It is a dandy of
details that captures the tale and brings the audience into the journey. The
performance space is squared off with the detritus of a peg board full of a
tinker’s “things,” a small sound booth in which narrator Davis holds forth, and
bookshelves that hold well-used props.
design for the Cauldron’s production of “On Air” is a joy. It is a dandy of
details that captures the tale and brings the audience into the journey. The
performance space is squared off with the detritus of a peg board full of a
tinker’s “things,” a small sound booth in which narrator Davis holds forth, and
bookshelves that hold well-used props.
The “Bold New
Works for Intimate Stages” series is a memorable, adventurous undertaking for a
small-budget professional theater company such as Creative Cauldron.
Works for Intimate Stages” series is a memorable, adventurous undertaking for a
small-budget professional theater company such as Creative Cauldron.
Where and when: “On Air” plays through May 26 at Creative Cauldron, 410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church. Shows
are 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and 2 and 7 p.m. on Sunday. Purchase
tickets online or call the box office, 703-436-9948.
are 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and 2 and 7 p.m. on Sunday. Purchase
tickets online or call the box office, 703-436-9948.
This article is based on a review by David Siegel in DC Metro Theater Arts.
