This episode was inspired by the classic low budget sci-fi audio programs that attempted to prove their story took place in the future or space by using quasi-futuristic tech sounding terminology.
After the first three episodes that we recorded (which were actually Ep 2-4) a tactical decision was made internally to try to get ahold of our structure and cast a few cast members with each show, so that even though there were 8 regular cast members, a total of four may show up in one episode.
Now immediately after that we recorded Blaze Jackson (the first episode we released but had half the cast). Then we recorded Daring Darling Darly (which we haven’t released yet) and this one, Space Sentries with essentially the other half)
Space Sentries is essentially a “two-hander”, a two person show, with an additional role added in for complication. So this one featured Rich Cyr as Puffle and Kurt Boucher as Commander Alyx. I was asked why I called the character Alyx and the reason was that I did not know when I wrote it whether a male or a female actor would portray the role (both roles were gender neutral for casting).
This point found its way into a news article for the Lakeville Journal! We were pleased to have Shaw Izikson visit our rehearsal and learn about our show.
Rich Cyr (left) and Kurt Boucher (right) read the Space Sentries script while Shaw Izikson (middle) reporter for the Lakeville Journal makes notes about the rehearsal and the show.
Our guest vocal actor and VIP guest was actor, author, podcaster, Phil Hall. We discuss his podcast (which can be found HERE) and his books (his 8th coming out about the Patterson-Gimlin tape)
Tiffy McKay with Lana Peck recording “Professor A”
This was an exciting episode and it’s a wonder as it was only the 7th episode that we worked on but it’s very complex and the editing was challenging and ultimately thoroughly rewarding. The end result is a program that took our show to the next level. We released this one as episode as Episode 5 because the lead actor, Lana Peck, has a starring role in Young Frankenstein at Theatreworks New Milford so we wanted to time the release of the show to coincide with that auspicious occasion.
Our episode has a VIP vocal actor Tiffy McKay, who is a children’s book author. McKay’s enthusiasm and professionalism performing as “Ms. Gentry” (and as the passenger who discovers the Prof. A book) ensured her a permanent recurring role in the Prof A stories.
This is the first episode where we do not have a musical guest or VIP interview and went straight for audio theater for the entire episode.
Josh Newey, Kurt Boucher and Jandi Hanna recording “Professor A”
The theme music was created by Lana Peck and it has a wonderful sound effect I used throughout the episode when the Vortex is created. In fact we actually rehearsed and recorded three “chapters” of the Prof A “book” but when music and sound effects were added along with “pregnant pauses” as best befits the storyline, we found only two of the “chapters” fit in the half hour story. Therefore we know we’ll be enjoying more adventures of Prof A, Robere and Ms. Gentry in the future!
Professor A pays homage to the time-traveling parallel world hopping adventures of… well, adventurers who do that sort of thing and certainly the accents used by all the performers identify the region of the world where some of the most prominent characters of that genre were created.
The show was directed by Conrad Sienkiewicz during the rehearsal but I took on “associate director” role during the recording and it demonstrated how much we value having a director separate from a sound engineer.
We had a guest during rehearsal, actor Olivia Wadsworth, who was to be our invited guest for the late April and May episodes. She added her voice along with Rich Cyr and Jandi to the “students” who run away at the beginning of the first chapter. Rich Cyr couldn’t be at the rehearsal but he was there for the recording and he took the photos of the recording that I’ve posted throughout these show notes.
J. Timothy Quirk reviewing the script as we record Professor A
Regarding the Writing:
I wrote the characters Prof A and Robere specifically for Lana and Kurt Boucher respectively. When the script was submitted to Tiffy, Lana and Kurt, I believe all of them individually asked if the roles could be performed in a particular accent and I knew Josh Newey (who portrays Chessman) could do one.
The first “chapter” I wrote as a stand alone and sent it to all of the actors and Director Conrad Sienkiewicz. The challenge there was to create an entire world point of view, the relevant characters and a story with a beginning, middle and end all in about twelve pages which I accomplished. When there was universal acceptance of that script, I took to writing a second and then a third chapter.
Jandi Hanna and Josh Newey (not as Chessman but as a different character) have a marvelous turn in the third chapter of this story which we found will have to be shared when Professor A RETURNS!
For the character of “Chessman” the ultimate idea was to depict a protege of the main time-traveling heroic figure who had gone down what most would consider the wrong road but had his own point of view with a reason for doing the things he does. The backstory for this character was about as dark as I’ve gone thus far in writing. We’ll definitely see more of this character.
For the second “chapter”, note that as with anything, every idea’s already been done at least once. As it so turns out there is a Sci Fi show of a popular franchise which featured a “tardigrade” so it’s somewhat similar to using the “mite” I used for a Demodex Rex in a way but I had not seen the episode (I didn’t spring for the “all access” kind of platform that cost $ so I never saw it) and I wasn’t using the mite in the same way at all and ultimately my story boiled down to just the idea of evolution growing a large mite and the protagonist wanting the eggs of this creature to offer as a trade (which occurs in a third chapter of my story). Interestingly, the tardigrade from that franchise Sci-Fi show was argued as a controversy because of similarities between their use of that idea and a different “gamer” story-line? So my use of having a Demodex (Rex) wasn’t inspired by either item and I doubt anyone who listens to the story would believe it either.
Bearing in mind our radio program pays homage to concepts of Old Time Radio but none of the ideas or stories or characters are copies of any specific character and at best any similarity between any particular character would be a parody.
On Editing
I relied extensively on the cinematic music found in youtube royalty free music and sound effects found myself and by Tiffy McKay.
I edited a rough draft of the first Chapter (The Fair Trade) and sent it to the group. I received valuable feedback from Lana and Tiffy and reworked some of the music and sound and Josh came in for a second read so I could get the volume more precise.
The second chapter I didn’t have the luxury of time to send out for feedback etc so this portion may or may not require some tweaking at some point but the ultimate idea of this one was fun.
In this episode we meet Nutmeg Junction trolley line’s Quality Reviewer Kent Flashman as Ella becomes Lead Conductor for the first time. We enjoy music from Robert C. Fullerton and meet VIP guest Leslie Elias of The Grumbling Gryphons Traveling Children’s Theatre group. In our passenger story we introduce The Grey Whisper who is a master of disguise, fighter of crime and a wonderful knitter!
Jandi Hanna as Madeline Forthright/The Grey WhisperKurt Boucher as “Ox” Rich Cyr as “Rusty” and Robert C Fullerton as Dr. Unhippa
The Grey Whisper idea was the “proof of concept” piece that I edited first and used to send to WAPJ and to Robin Hood Radio which led to their acceptance of our program. It’s a wonderful romp through a story line that’s reminiscent of the pulp hero stories that
The interaction between Lana Peck (as Twomley) and Kurt Boucher (as Ox) especially when dealing with Josh Newey’s Whiddlebury makes me laugh every time I listen to it.
This is the last episode from the first recording session. It was a wonderful evening but we found in future recordings that it would be best to have a Sunday afternoon recording session moving forward and only rehearsals at night.
We recorded Robert C Fullerton’s musical performance separately and it was an honor to have as our guest Leslie Elias of the Grumbling Gryphons come to the studio for an interview.
Every character in a passenger story has the opportunity to come back for an encore episode but The Grey Whisper especially is intended to be a recurring character and I’m already well under way in writing The Grey Whisper Returns which may be Episode 10.
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.
Nutmeg Junction is a weekly thirty minute NEW old-time radio program that will begin broadcasting on April 1, 2018 from its home base WAPJ in Torrington, Connecticut at 89.9 and 105.1FM and will be found in podcast form in itunes and on the Nutmeg Junction website. Nutmeg Junction features stories that harkens back to the golden age of radio but also includes music from emerging and established artists and engaging interviews with individuals in public life who have a story to tell. The program takes place in the environment of a trolley that arrives at the fictional “Nutmeg Junction” station. Nutmeg Junction provides a unique and entertaining experience for the radio listener. Episodes may include characters like “Blaze Jackson: Galaxy Insurance Adjuster”, “Tex Bijou: Cinema’s Singing Cowboy”, “The Grey Whisper” and more.
Starting next week we’ll begin sharing more information on this NEW old time radio show!
Nutmeg Junction 