It’s Thursday, December 22nd, just two eves away from Christmas Eve, and we’ve been in somewhat of a quandary as to how to celebrate on today’s show. I think the classic story for this time of year is Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, first published on December 19th 1843. It was an instant hit with readers, selling out its first edition just a few days later, on Christmas Eve.
Rather than me reading the book to you, which could take days due to my short attention span, our friends at Willamette Radio Workshop came to the rescue, and delivered a recording of their very popular A Radio Christmas Carol under Jonesy’s tree.
The performance we’ll be hearing was recorded live on-stage at First Christian Church in Portland, Oregon in front of a live audience, and was adapted by Cynthia McGean from the Charles Dickens story and the Campbell Playhouse version. The cast includes Tim McKennie, James Dineen, Greg Alexander, Alan King, Cynthia McGean, Renee Boutin King, Mary Thomas, and Sam A. Mowry. The Holly Jolly Radio Choir, under the direction of Bennett Bailey, perform the live music and carols. And it was all recorded and mastered by audio impresario D. Neil Blake.
So grab a hot toddy, with two straws, and let’s listen together! Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
- KBOO