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"PLAYHOUSE 90.1"

"A Weekly Series of Outstanding Radio Dramas"

Information compiled and posted by Jerry Klein

(Except as noted, I have tapes of each of these programs. I have provided audio excerpts from each of these tapes.)

To hear any clip, click on the icon at the start of the description or click on the highlighted text.

Special Reunion Production - 1998

Over Memorial Day weekend of 1998, 27 WRTI alumni, along with family and friends - 55 people in all - gathered for the 1^st annual WRTI reunion. The highlight of the afternoon was the taping of a brand new production of Playhouse 90.1. The script, entitled "QUESTING FOR CAMELOT," was written by Gerry Wilkinson from an idea suggested by Jerry Klein and developed by Gerry and his youngest daughter, Zara. Click here to listen to "QUESTING FOR CAMELOT." (11 minutes 5 seconds)

Click here to read the complete script as it was actually recorded, along with the names of all those who participated.

Spring 1967

Some of these programs were originally produced for various RTF classes and repackaged by Gerry Wilkinson for WRTI-FM. Others were produced by Gerry specifically for Playhouse 90.1. Here are Gerry's reminiscences about the program.

For most of these shows, Jerry Klein read the opening and closing credits while Joe Ryan opened and closed the actual dramatic program, a la Rod Serling.

February 25 - "The Hitchhiker" - Produced and directed by Gerry Wilkinson

Here is some audio from "The Hitchhiker," featuring Mike Biel, Florence Weiss and Ed Harding. (2 minutes 37 seconds) Mike Biel comments: "The Hitchhiker was a very famous script and had originally been done by Orson Welles. I remember doing it several times, but this one was the best. I finally heard the Welles production years later and was not too impressed with it. I don't think that either of us were quite the right voices for the part." Judge for yourself. Here is the same segment of The Hitchhiker, as performed by Orson Welles on the CBS Radio Network, September 2, 1942 (2 minutes 49 seconds). You can read Gerry Wilkinson's thoughts on the two versions. Here is the promo for WRTI-FM version, announced by Joe Ryan (1 minute 10 seconds)

March 4 - "The Cawdor Caper" - Produced and edited by Gerry Wilkinson, directed by Terry delQuadro. Based on an idea suggested by William Shakespeare, written by Peter Sheldon Zakroff, with script supplement by Gerry Wilkinson.

Here is some audio from "The Cawdor Caper," featuring Mike Biel. (1 minute 7 seconds)

March 11 - "Inside a Kid's Head" - Script by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee (authors of the Broadway plays "Inherit the Wind," "Auntie Mame" and the musical "Mame.") Produced and directed by Mike Biel under the direction of [graduate assistant] Wade Alexander and Dr. Del Dusenbury. Recorded January 10, 1967.

Here is some audio from "Inside a Kid's Head": the end credits, read by Shelly Davis. (55 seconds)

Read Mike Biel's comments on the making of "Inside a Kid's Head."

March 18 - "Spirit of Montague Manor" - Written by Winston Weathers, with script supplement by Gerry Wilkinson. Produced and edited by Gerry Wilkinson, directed by Jerry Klein and Eleanor Menna.

Here is some audio from "The Spirit of Montague Manor," featuring Ronni Barton, Ellie Menna and Jerry Klein. (1 minute 51 seconds)

April 1 - "George" - Adapted by Sandy Skalka from a short story by John Anthony West. Produced by Gerry Wilkinson, directed by Jerry Klein.

Here is some audio from "George," featuring Mike Biel and Barbara Alexander (2 minutes 32 seconds). By the way, that's not crosstalk you hear in the background. It's a Huntley-Brinkley news broadcast. The characters in the program are having their discussion while listening to the evening news. Mike Biel comments: I had never heard the word "atrophy" before--I had to ask what it meant. It is a story of the ultimate couch potato. He sits there watching TV so much without moving eventually he can't move as all his muscles atrophy. I have never forgotten that program or that concept for one minute. I never thought I'd hear it again although I do have the script.

April 8 - "The Joke Mongerer" - Written, produced and edited by Gerry Wilkinson, directed by Jerry Klein.

Here is some audio from "The Joke Mongerer":

	Playhouse 90.1 Theme and intro by Jerry Klein (19 seconds). The opening and closing theme is from the 1959 movie soundtrack of "The Diary of Anne Frank," believe it or not, and was composed by renowned film composer/conductor/arranger Alfred Newman. Newman was the winner of eight Academy Awards, according to the liner notes. Our research shows he was nominated 44 times and took home 9 Oscars between 1937 and 1970 (he was nominated for the "Anne Frank" score). The cut used for Playhouse 90.1 is titled "Erika," and is the first cut on side two. The album is now out of print, but I was able to buy a copy from a used record dealer. It is on the 20th Fox label, catalog number FOX 3012.
	Dialogue - Ed Sciaky, Sue Ellis and Mike Biel (2 minutes 46 seconds).
	End theme and credits by Jerry Klein (1 minute 26 seconds).

April 15 - "The Face" - Produced and directed by Jay Berkowitz. Written by Arthur Laurents, author of "West Side Story" and "Gypsy." Recorded around February 1966.

Here is some audio from "The Face," featuring Sheldon Silver, Barry Robert Molich and Merry Flershem. (3 minutes 57 seconds)

April 22 - "The Yellow Wallpaper" (I have neither a tape nor any information about this program.)

April 29 - Playhouse 90.1 was preempted by "Adenauer: Man of History,"a special news report on the life and career of former West German chancellor Konrad Adenauer, who had died the previous week at the age of 91. Produced, directed and written by Gerry Wilkinson. Narrated by Jerry Klein. Here is an excerpt. (54 seconds)

May 6 - Playhouse 90.1 was preempted for "Comedy Workshop" (I have neither a tape nor any information about this program.)

May 13 - "Man of the White House" - Script & lyrics (adapted from "Man of La Mancha.") by Howard Shapiro. Produced by Howard Shapiro.

Cast:	Ron Wertheimer as Elbee Jay
	Lenore Patterson as Lady Bird
	Howard Shapiro as Hubert
	Barbara Alexander
	Ed Cunningham
Music:	Tom Magill and Ted Zislis
Production Assistance:	Jerry Klein and Jim Putz

Here is some audio from "The Man of the White House," featuring Ron Wertheimer, Lenore Patterson and Howard Shapiro (2 minutes 17 seconds).

Fall 1967

For the new semester, Ed Sciaky replaced Joe Ryan as the host.

October 10 - "Trial by Treachery" - Written by Barry Ergang. Produced and edited by Gerry Wilkinson, directed by Ron Emmel. Executive producer Jim Putz.

Here is some audio from "Trial by Treachery," featuring Jerry Klein, Ellie Menna and Ed Cunningham (1 minute 32 seconds).

Jerry Klein replies: Amen!

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