2008 Woodie Awards
Bogart Brings Radio Back With a New Face
CART visits Valley College's Main Stage Theatre for the first time.
LaGina Phillips and Tiffany Farmakis
Issue date: 11/3/04 Section: Valley Life
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Gracing Valley College's Main Stage Theatre, "The Man with Bogart's Face," starring comedian and impersonator Rich Little and presented by the California Artist Radio Theatre, took the audience back to an era long gone.
The 40s-era comedic mystery takes itself lightly, making spoof of the generation and its actors. At one point in the show Beverly Garland's character asks the main character to meet her at the Beverly Garland Hotel, evoking laughter from the audience.
"Please turn off all cell phones, pagers and electronic devices... You can leave pace makers on," Dean of Journalism Dennis Reed joked, making light of the audience, the majority of which were over 40.
"It was a joyous event," said CART founder Peggy Webber. "The audience loved the cast. It was a very good turnout."
Performing for a packed theatre, the production starred Little as a former cop who retires and gets plastic surgery to transform his image into that of his idol, Humphrey Bogart. He then sets up shop as a private eye under the name Sam Marlow, and hires Dutchess (Leslie Easterbrook), a shapely secretary, who is reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe.
At first, Sam's only client is his verbose landlady, Mother (Jo Anne Worley). Then he encounters Elsa Borsht (Linda Henning), the plain and sweet, virginal daughter of retired props-master Horst Borsht (Robert Legionaire), who has been murdered for no discernable reason. A romance emerges between Sam and the seductive Gena Anastas (Samantha Eggar) and more crimes follow in this classic with the "who-dunnit" plot thickening against the Los Angeles backdrop.
The play was recorded on stage, granting audience members a chance to witness radio theatre being made. Sound-effects engineer Tony Palermo, wowed on-lookers with sound effects made from ordinary objects, like duct tape to create the illusion of bandages being removed.
"It was delightful and a real insight into the process of radio," said audience member Jacelyn Wright. "[The play] revealed the quick wit required for live performances."
Throughout the production, the audience interacted with the performers.
"If you're going to laugh, put some HA, HA, HA's into it," announcer John Harlan said.
However, the audience needed no guidance on laughing. The crowd roared when Little broke out of character and did his many talented impersonations including George W. Bush, and cracked up at Little and Worley's hysterical banter.
"In this elaborate electronic age it's nice that radio still carries it's magic," said Marsha Hunt, who was among the radio personalities black listed during the 'Red Scare' in the early 1950s. "Radio puts the audience to work; it's a challenge they are willing to do."
CART performances can also be heard on XM Radio, Oasis Recording and Audible programs. For additional information on CART, visit its website online at www.calartistsradiotheatre.org.
The 40s-era comedic mystery takes itself lightly, making spoof of the generation and its actors. At one point in the show Beverly Garland's character asks the main character to meet her at the Beverly Garland Hotel, evoking laughter from the audience.
 Media Credit: Dan Villasenor ON THE CASE - Detective Marlow, left, played by Rich Little, argues with Lt. Marion Bumbera played by M. Wynant in Saturday´s performance of "The Man With Bogart´s Face." |
"Please turn off all cell phones, pagers and electronic devices... You can leave pace makers on," Dean of Journalism Dennis Reed joked, making light of the audience, the majority of which were over 40.
"It was a joyous event," said CART founder Peggy Webber. "The audience loved the cast. It was a very good turnout."
Performing for a packed theatre, the production starred Little as a former cop who retires and gets plastic surgery to transform his image into that of his idol, Humphrey Bogart. He then sets up shop as a private eye under the name Sam Marlow, and hires Dutchess (Leslie Easterbrook), a shapely secretary, who is reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe.
At first, Sam's only client is his verbose landlady, Mother (Jo Anne Worley). Then he encounters Elsa Borsht (Linda Henning), the plain and sweet, virginal daughter of retired props-master Horst Borsht (Robert Legionaire), who has been murdered for no discernable reason. A romance emerges between Sam and the seductive Gena Anastas (Samantha Eggar) and more crimes follow in this classic with the "who-dunnit" plot thickening against the Los Angeles backdrop.
The play was recorded on stage, granting audience members a chance to witness radio theatre being made. Sound-effects engineer Tony Palermo, wowed on-lookers with sound effects made from ordinary objects, like duct tape to create the illusion of bandages being removed.
"It was delightful and a real insight into the process of radio," said audience member Jacelyn Wright. "[The play] revealed the quick wit required for live performances."
Throughout the production, the audience interacted with the performers.
"If you're going to laugh, put some HA, HA, HA's into it," announcer John Harlan said.
However, the audience needed no guidance on laughing. The crowd roared when Little broke out of character and did his many talented impersonations including George W. Bush, and cracked up at Little and Worley's hysterical banter.
"In this elaborate electronic age it's nice that radio still carries it's magic," said Marsha Hunt, who was among the radio personalities black listed during the 'Red Scare' in the early 1950s. "Radio puts the audience to work; it's a challenge they are willing to do."
CART performances can also be heard on XM Radio, Oasis Recording and Audible programs. For additional information on CART, visit its website online at www.calartistsradiotheatre.org.
