Our very own Jack J. Ward is smiling a whole lot through the fear lately- Vincent Price style fear! We already told you that Colonial Radio Theatre is producing Audio Dramas based on the Blue Water Comics.
Well Jack is going to be working hard at his desk penning some of those Audio Drama adaptations from the comics.
And yes, he couldn’t be happier….
In celebration of his 100th birthday on May 27th, 2011, Colonial Radio Theatre will produce 30 half-hour episodes based on Blue Water‘s line of comics, some of Prices’s films as well as developing new frightening ones with his estate.
Welcome back to the macabre world of Vincent Price!
Colonial Radio Theatre just announced that they have obtained the rights to produce the amazing book by William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson “Logan’s Run- Last Day” to audio!
This full cast production with the powerful music score indicative of CRT’s productions will be a real treat. Grab this audio before they remake the movie and whet your appetite before you yell:
Runner!
Can’t get enough of Colonial Radio Theatre? Want to listen to some “behind the scenes” discussion with the creative team?
Join Jerry Robbins as he sits down with actors, writers, producers, and crew of CRT in this great podcast.
Subscribe through i-tunes or grab the link at Colonial Radio Talk.
Coming from Colonial Radio Theatre another adventure masterpiece- Zorro and the Pirate Raiders!
Colonial Radio consistently presents us lovers of audio drama with powerful stories. I remember when I was a child, my Grandparents had a Disney picture book of the story of Zorro. I would read it again and again when I visited, and hear the whip cracks and the whistle of the Fox’s sword as he tore his initial “Z” where ever he went.
Now, at long last, you can hear it too… with the adaptation by the award winning Jerry Robbins, you know this version of Zorro will get right into the action and be a story that will simply thunder off your earbuds.
But don’t take my word for it… have a listen to the promo yourself- here!
Another great coup for Sonic Gold! Perry Mason and the Case of the Velvet Claws will be playing at the end of May for Sonic Gold Special #2!
While old time radio ran the Perry Mason series for almost a decade, only Colonial Radio Theatre has been creating audio drama based on the great thrillers by Mason’s author Erle Stanley Gardner.
With Jerry Robbins himself solidly playing everyone’s favourite Attorney, and backed up by the fabulous Diane Capen and J.T. Turner, Sonic Gold is fortunate enough to be playing Perry and “The Case of the Velvet Claws” one of these great original stories.
Hold tight for the end of May for pure gold!
To say that I love “Barrymore” produced by Colonial Radio Theatre, written by William Luce and starring Jerry Robbins, is like saying kids appreciate Halloween. There’s just not enough adjectives in the English language to describe this theatrical experience. One gets the feeling that you’re not listening to an audio drama, but you’re experiencing a night out to a Broadway Stage.
The production is crisp, and captures enough sound to support Robbin’s portrayal of John Barrymore. A portrayal which expertly sifts through the many moods and madnesses of the late master.
If, like me, you’re building your audio library this is a must buy. And even if, you’re not considering making a large collection, this is the show you’ll want to hear time and time again- and remember when Hollywood and the American Stage held court with Kings.
Sonic Gold
I wish I could say this is a metaphor but honest to goodness the Rogers and Hammerstein melody,
“You’ll Never Walk Alone” is running through my head ceaselessly.
And while I’ve been running around like the proverbial chicken for the last week, the truth is, I’ve not walked alone.
This wonderful dream, of completing the circle and not just being able to offer free audio drama to the world, but now, to find a way to offer professional audio drama paid content to those who are interested for a reasonable price as well has just come true.
And while I’m still goofy with three hours sleep, I’d like to thank all of you who made it happen.
From the beginning… Mark Vanderberg from Colonial Radio Theatre who called me up one day this New Year in 2009 and literally said, “Jack, what’s holding up this Sonic Gold idea of yours?”
And then proceeded to offer everything in Colonial’s catalog for the first year to get us out of the gate and through some muscle behind us so I could approach a few other companies.
Jerry Robbins, who I’m proud to call a friend, and who has tirelessly and generously provided Colonials content to me, for this project and for others in the past few years.. and for both of them trusting that I would take care of their audio “children”.
Sable Jak who went to bat for this project for me to Jim French and all the people at Jim French productions, and who sent me the CD’s with so much cool audio drama that I’m kicking myself I haven’t had a chance to hear before.
Angelo Panetta from Radio Repertory Company of America who gave us this awesome taste for Anne Manx on the Sonic Society, and is providing us with a pile more of their product to try out this new way of distributing their own amazing shows.
Scott Hickey for jumping on board with “The Grist Mill” one of my favourite series of all time. Thanks Scott you just said, “What? How? and How Can I help?” Those are the best three questions in the world to answer.
The multi-talented Jon Baker from the famous Dick Dynamo show who emailed me out of the blue and asked, “How can I help? Can I offer you theme music?”, and then worked on MY crazy schedule to get it out. You’re the best Jon, thanks so much.
Speaking of the best, my friend Paul Campbell of Cossmass Productions. Not only has he set up AND hosted the new Sonic Society website that everyone has been raving about, but when I approached him about possible solutions to impliment a solid and secure podcast, he said, “Let me handle it Jack. I’ll build it.”
And he did.
This standing ovation is for you Paul. So much work and time went into this, and while I should have been helping him beta test it, he did it all himself. Patiently dealing with my screw ups with the system, answering my fool questions, and working out solutions to allow Sonic Gold to be accepted by itunes and promoting a range of options for Sonic Gold Members and memberships that I’m going to have to consider for the time to come.
I just can’t say “Thank-you” enough man.
The incredible Matt Leong from Clockwork Media and Draw Something Cool who always donates his awe-inspiring talents as an artist to us. First creating and donating the Sonic Society logo, then at least two posters, and now the Sonic Gold logo that we use. Go get Matt to make you something for your website, or for a friend. His prices are absolutely reasonable, and you couldn’t find a better artist not a more willing partner to make what you need. Matt can do it for you!
Marrcus “Crash” Beatty, who despite some people’s perceptions is the architect and sole creative force behind Audio Drama Talk. I get all kinds of inquiries as to “our site” at ADT, and the fact is while we may have suggested it on our show, Crash is the one who built the best forum I’ve ever seen. We’re just very very grateful to have the ability to play in it, and help out when we can. But talk about the best site for Audio Drama people to get together!
J.T. Shea who put up with “It’s not working. I deleted it again. I can’t find where to publish” while poor Paul was blissfully sleeping, and tested his account before anyone else. Thanks man!
Eric Bensen for coming out to record “The Dead Line” (hear him in the upcoming episode “Messages”!), Biff Straker (and as “Doctor Vester”!) and before everything as the “Waiter” in this first episode of “Sonic Gold Cafe”. Eric is an amazing director of theatre in Halifax, and is so much fun to work with, I can’t tell you.
And finally but not in the least, the least- folks- The Members. We brave and happy few, as Shakespeare put it “We band of brothers (and sisters)”. I am grateful for the Members trusting cash and time to believe in this, and for putting Sonic Gold as well as the Sonic Society as a priority in your lives.
It never escapes my notice that people went out of their way to say, “This is important”.
Business wisdom tells us that a company’s greatest resource is word of mouth from the clients… but I’d go further in this case and say, all the clients to me in Sonic Gold are family. They’ve been very supportive through out the years, above and beyond simply being listeners of the media. My hats off to all.
Wow. What a ride. And its only just beginning.
Episode 2 hits the feed on the 15th with the end of the month beginning our first double-sized feature!
Because great Audio Drama is pure gold!
Thanks Again Everyone,
Jack
Jerry Robbins from Colonial Radio Theatre rounds up the incredible output out of CRT in the year of 2008.
Robbins has been doing audio drama with CRT for well over a decade, that’s before the Internet and certainly before the idea of RSS and Podcasting was even an inkling in the minds of technology gurus. While folks were bemoaning the loss of audio drama from the Golden and Silver days, Mr. Robbins was hiking cassette tapes of his own productions to different companies.
There’s been an ugly rumour that those who sell their wares don’t make Audio Drama out of love. Many of us owe a thanks to those companies and individuals that kept the candle flickering before our recent renaissance.
And if there’s any question about passion in Audio Drama today, consider the list that Colonial Theatre worked on this year past… and let it inspire all of us to do more for 2009!
Barrymore- Adapted from the Broadway Stage Showing
Buck Alice and the Actor Robot
CRT Christmas Special
The Dibble Animated Project
Father Brown- Series
The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury
Jerry and the Pirates- Series
King Solomon’s Mines
Moonfleet- Series
Perry Mason- Series
Powder River- Series
The Star Angel
Ticonderoga- Series
Zorro and the Pirate Raiders
We’ve been incredibly fortunate to have Jerry open up his shows for podcast on the Sonic Socety in 2008, it’s great to see Colonial continue to make powerful and compelling audio drama!
Read all the details here in the CRT year in Review.
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