I’m hugely excited to share that my play MISS BRIGHT SIDE will be performed at a live recording of the wonderful Whiskey Radio Hour show in Chicago on February 21st 2024!
Directed by endlessly creative actor-director-producer Natty Galde, my play is part of the fantastic line-up for Episode 27 of the show (full episode notes below). Recording takes place at Chief O’Neills (“the pub you’ve been practising for”) from 8.30pm (details on the Facebook event page).
The Whiskey Radio Hour is a recurring evening of new radio plays, live music, and lots of laughs. Ramblin’ Campbell Kelly, Ace Houlihan , “Motormouth” Musczynski and Buster the Intern trade puns and banjo riffs as they present fresh short radio plays created by adventurous playwrights, directors, and actors.
Starring Brad Brubaker, Logan Conner, John Szymanski and Daniel Daniel, respectively.
EPISODE NOTES
As icy winter permafrost slowly yields to muddy springtime soil, and then refreezes, and melts, then freezes again, we're ready to tap the maples as they do in the great white north of Canada. If the trees won't tap, we'll just tap dance along to a new slate of musical ads after an all new slate of radio plays directed and acted by a slate of all new all stars. Join us one week after Valentines Day once you've fully recovered.
EPISODE TWENTY-SEVEN LINEUP:
#1 Good Night, Readers by Jack McCleland, directed by Scott Westerman
#2 Euthimmersia by Steven Lancefield, directed by Eileen Tull
#3 Miss Brightside by Nicky Denovan, directed by Nathalie Galde
#4 Skin Deep by James McLindon, directed by Phil Ridarelli
Back room of Chief O'Neill's. 8:30pm
Suggested donation of $10. If you arrive before 8:00 you might see some spoilers, so we recommend 8:00 as the ideal time to arrive.
First aired in 2013 and expertly helmed by producer Brad Brubaker, The Whiskey Radio Hour is a Chicago institution that has laid its hat in theatres, music venues, and bar back rooms. You can listen back to all previous episodes on its Bandcamp page: Music | The Whiskey Radio Hour (bandcamp.com)
For MISS BRIGHT SIDE, Natty has assembled a phenomenal team of established comic talents to perform my play, tasked with tackling unfathomable British accents and obscure references to UK landmarks. I can’t wait to hear the episode in all its glory!
And now, having had quite enough “ado”, and certainly not room for any further, it is my pleasure, privilege and possibly also my contractual obligation (note to self: check small print) to introduce you to the unstoppable creative force that is the cast of MISS BRIGHT SIDE: Chicago edition!
NATTY GALDE (DIRECTOR)
Natty Galde is writing about herself in the third person. She is the creator of ImproviSEXation, and the podcast Top 5 Chew, which was recently awarded the DCASE Individual Artist Grant for its pursuit of dialogue as an approach to social justice. When she's not chasing down a toddler who wants to keep the poop in her diaper for some reason, she does stuff like this! Directing a radio play written by Nicky Denovan. The opportunity to work with material that explores British temperament at its finest is not to be missed. Nicky has a collaborative spirit and incredible wit - she was truly the Brightside to this endeavor. Enjoy the show!
You can follow Natty’s work on Instagram (@nattykonso), YouTube (@thesunshinestate) and at her website: Nathalie Galde | Actor | Chicago (thatmiamigirl.com)
LAUREN RIVAS (ACTOR)
A comedic performer whom has called Chicago home for more than ten years, Lauren has performed, taught, and directed all around the country. Recent credits include Fire and Beer (The Annoyance) and Live Laugh Blood (The Annoyance).
JULIE SCHMERBECK (ACTOR)
Julie is an actor in Chicago, originally from Rochester, NY. Prior to being an actor, Julie had great dreams of becoming George of the Jungle.
FEE BASANAVICIUS (ACTOR)
Fee Basanavicius is an actor/comedian/writer/director/comedian who has a BFA in Acting from Missouri State University. She co-founded Trash Panda in 2020 and produced the official reboot of Chicago's original/longest-running drinking game sketch show; Bye-Bye Liver. When she's not working on a new sketch for Trash Panda Comedy or Bye-Bye Liver, she's either developing one of her original pilots or performing improv around the city with her teams AP US History, Improvised Jane Austen, or Fire & Beer. Feel free to sign up for her open mic (LOLZ@NOLA) to workshop your stuff on Thursdays from 8-10pm. She hopes you enjoy the show!