Audience members will be able to step back in time to 1944 when World War II was still raging, patriotism was at an all-time high, radio was the favorite medium of family amusement and entertaining our troops was a top priority.
This time machine will be working at the Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St., on Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. when the Walker Lecture Series presents the Community Players of Concord's production of “The 1944 Big Band Comedy Canteen.” As with all Walker Lecture events, admission is free. Doors will open a half hour before curtain time.
Five years ago, Nashua's Betty Thomson directed this same show in a historic co-production of the Community Players and The New Thalian Players of Manchester. This joint production delighted audiences of all ages and forged a lasting friendship between the two groups. Betty returns to direct the Walker Lecture's opening show of its 113th season.
Audience members won't just be watching a show; they will also be entertained by an all-star radio show being broadcast to soldiers overseas. This was radio's golden age, and what better way to entertain the troops then to have the likes of the Andrews Sisters, Al Jolson, Betty Hutton, Eddie Cantor, Groucho Marks, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and Bob Hope coming over the airways with a mix of songs and skits?
The finale of the show is a flag-waving, toe-tapping event with Kate Smith singing “God Bless America,” “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and “Grand Old Flag” and a drill sequence performed by the ROTC cadets from West High School in Manchester.
Come and enjoy this patriotic and historical production which will send you from the Audi with a song on your lips and a sense of pride in your heart.
For a complete list of events, visit walkerlecture.org.
