By Bendik Sorensen
Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor
As the actors mingle, technical talk fills the room, and the band sets up. Director Brian Long calmly paces around on stage, organizing the some 20 people involved with the production. The Port Washington Play Troupe and LIU Post’s WCWP radio are rehearsing the first live radio play of the semester. The show, “Meet Me in St. Louis”, is an adap- tion of the 1944 musical, and was recorded in the Hillwood Recital Hall on April 18.
“Meet Me In St. Louis” proves to be a throwback experience, reminiscing the mid ‘40s. The play is about four sisters living in the city, where they’re confronted with the struggles of being teenagers. One of the sisters is beaten up, and the older sisters confront the bully. The father of the sisters also announces that they’re moving to New York, which creates tension in the family. The sisters have romances, educa- tional plans, and friends, as every kid does, that are now impossible to pursue. After lots of conflict and upset daughters, the father eventually figures out that they won’t move to New York, as he sees how much they appreciate their hometown.
“The play is based on a show, based on a movie, which is based again on a book,” said David Barnett, the musical director of the play. The troupe has been rehearsing for the play for three weeks, and the 17 cast members consist of every age group from children to retirees. The cast is a part of the Port Washington Play Troupe, where they do other plays, musicals, and children’s theatre. There are also three current LIU Post students involved, and one alumnus.
This semester, WCWP and the troupe are working on three plays. “WCWP is recording it now, and when we’re done with all three, they’ll put it together and air it,” said Pam Meadows, the president of the troupe. The troupe has done six plays with WCWP through last year. “Meet Me In St. Louis” will air on WCWP at a later date, which has not yet been decided.
On May 17, they will set up another live production, “All About Eve,” and on June 14, they will record “The African Queen.” These are held in the Hillwood Recital Hall, where WCWP will record it. The plays will air at later dates. The remaining two plays are open to the public. For more information, visit www.portwashingtonplaytroupe.com
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