It's A Big Band Christmas At The Players Centre With THE 1940'S RADIO HOUR

From Dec. 6 though 23, Strike up the band because the holidays are alive and thriving at The Players Centre for Performing Arts, in their production of "The 1940's Radio Hour." With a book by Walton Jones, based on an idea by Walton Jones and Carol Lees, this patriotic holiday tale will give audiences a dose of nostalgic Christmas cheer. The Players production will have that big band sound you love with a 16-piece orchestra! Students from Pine View School, under the direction of Vic Mongillo, will volunteer their time and talents along with professional musicians to create that classic sound.

A different time is evoked in this marvelously theatrical and winning show, a live broadcast of The Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade from the Hotel Astor's Algonquin Room on December 21, 1942. The spirit of that bygone era when the world was at war and pop music meant "Strike Up the Band" and "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" is captured as the harassed producer copes with a drunk lead singer, the delivery boy who wants a chance in front of the mic, the second banana who dreams of singing a ballad, and the trumpet playing sound effects man who chooses a fighter plane over Glenn Miller.

Directed and choreographed by Berry Ayers, with help from assistant director Asia Dekle, musical director Alan Corey and stage manager Penn Rose, costumes by Jared Walker, lighting design by Tara Foster and set design by Ken Junkins, this show will get you into the holiday spirit in no time.

Tickets: $32 Premium, $27 Regular, $14 Students 24 and under with valid ID

For more information, visit www.theplayers.org.