This episode was the second of the first three episodes which we recorded on the same date in January. The recording session was fun but also a learning experience. For one thing it was the first full cast passenger story where everyone fit into the small room of Studio B at WAPJ station in Torrington.
The impetus of the story was to capture the familiar concept of a husband and wife mystery team as exemplified in the William Powell and Myrna Loy era. The characters of Nathaniel and Netta Chase were voiced by Kurt Boucher and Lana Peck who have worked together many times before and have a natural rapport.
photo by lsgoriginal
Now as it is an approximately 10 minute mini-mystery the fun was in the creation of the sound effects and music to accompany the voices. We were very happy that State Representative Michelle Cook was willing to be a guest on our show and while there, she was asked to voice a role in the mystery which she was very gracious enough to do for us.
Rich Cyr and Jandi Hanna were the Rowlings, and they become an even more formidable team in the next episode (Episode 4: The Grey Whisper).
Josh Newey and Robert C Fullerton provide stand out supporting voices in the piece as Benjamin Marley and the butler, Jennings.
photo by lsgoriginal
photo by lsgoriginal
photo by lsgoriginal
Robert C Fullerton then joined Emily Victoria. Emily Victoria is an extraordinary young talent and both songs “Unafraid” and “Cruel Intentions”
As for the mini-drama on the trolley involving conductor JT thinking he will be the new Lead Conductor, consider that this was written at the same time and in the same voice as the prior episode and the tone was considered from my perspective the way of a Jack Benny show which enjoys some playful banter and teasing of characters.
This was the first episode we actually rehearsed and recorded. In fact we rehearsed the episodes one one night. Then we recorded those three episodes on one night in late January. W e recorded the show out of sequence, recording the musicians first and then different segments of each show which made the editing process a challenge.
Our musical guest for this episode was the incredible duo Belle of the Fall.
Belle of the Fall @ lsgoriginal
Belle of the Fall @ lsgoriginal
Belle of the Fall @ lsgoriginal
Belle of the Fall @ lsgoriginal
Belle of the Fall @ lsgoriginal
Belle of the Fall was amazing. They have just released their second album and they have an album release concert at Infinity Bistro in Norfolk, Ct on 4/22. They performed two songs for us and they were wonderful. The applause was spontaneous and well deserved.
The episode was recorded by Barrie Soucy of WAPJs Miscellaneous Morning Show.
Our first guest star was Rich Cyr, the comedian and author (and soon to be podcaster). Rich has always been an entertaining individual and his creative energies seem to be limitless. I interviewed him for a Nutmeg Chatter post a few years back. Then I had the opportunity with my friend KJ Johansen on our show Black Tie Lunchbox. And further, when I wrote about an Improv group out of (at that time) Derby called Sterling Lion, I discovered he was a part of that group too! So I was well aware of his talents. When he came to the show he offered his vocal abilities to a role in the FOLLOWING episode after that one and we knew he’d be a great fit for our group. He was invited to join us as a Nutmeg Junctioneer. As this was the first episode we ever did and he was a part of it and the subsequent ones, he holds a rare distinction of being our first GUEST and being a founding member of the Nutmeg Junction team.
photo by lsgoriginal
photo by lsgoriginal
photo by lsgoriginal
photo by lsgoriginal
photo by lsgoriginal
photo by lsgoriginal
The idea we had for the passenger story pays homage to game shows of old and of a particular familiar golden age comedian who hosted a very popular game show. I enjoy the dynamic between Lana Peck and Kurt Boucher who act and perform together with the group Glum Puppet. Josh Newey jumped in for the announcer and does a wonderful job.
Caroline Sienkiewicz and our director Conrad Sienkiewicz are passengers who come take the train. Originally we had the idea of recording the song every single time. That was not a particularly effective idea for time and resources so that idea was scrapped.
My “JT (J. Timothy Quirk) character’s interaction with Jandi Hanna’s Lead Conductor Margot was meant to tell a short story within a story. The character of Lead Conductor Margot was created specifically to have a three story arc, to announce a retirement, prepare for it and then retire. As stated in the past episode, we liked Jandi’s character so much, we used the fourth episode written/rehearsed/recorded (Blaze Jackson) as our premiere episode to give that character more time on the air. As for my character I was listening to a lot of Jack Benny episodes before writing the script and I was thinking of an older, sometimes flawed but engaging host of the show. That was the concept. We were learning here in our pilot episodes but I think and hope the audience will see that our learning curve is rather short.
A few days ago I was speaking to John Ramsey, the GM of WAPJ where we record the show. He said over the years there were countless individuals who professed interest in doing an audio-theater program from time to time but those ideas never came to fruition. He recalled that I professed the same interest to him and then weeks later we accomplished it. It’s true that we started the idea at the end of December, our first meeting was 12/28 which is why we call the main trolley the 12-28. We rehearsed our first episodes in January 15th. We recorded at the end of January. We went to air on April 1 on WAPJ (and as it turned out we actually aired on Robin Hood Radio that Saturday 3/31). This was only accomplished because there are so many talented and dedicated people who want to see the idea succeed.
We have recorded 8 stories so far. This is but the second one. As we continue to build the show and grow we add more talented actors to our number who are finding this adventure to be quite entertaining and fun.
Our upcoming stories will include a tongue and cheek mystery at an old mansion with Nathaniel and Netta Chance, an adventure featuring The Grey Whisper who is “a master of disguise, a fighter of crime and a wonderful knitter”, a tale in space called “Space Sentries”, a story with a young adventurer called “Daring Darling Darly” and an intriguing science fiction epic entitled “The Professor” which is the episode written specifically to feature a “passenger story” (read audio-theater) all the way through.
We are all volunteers who are creating a show we hope our listeners will enjoy.
Nutmeg Junction 