The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,
Adapted for radio by
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Gotham Radio Theatre takes you back to Victorian England and the world of Sherlock Holmes. We have taken two classic stories, ‘The Redheaded League’ and ‘A Scandal in Bohemia’ to weave one tale of deception, foreign intrigue, theft and of course... scandal.
READ A REVIEW OF OUR LAST SHERLOCK HOLMES: REDHEADS AND BOHEMIANS
Posted by Used York City on Thursday, March 8, 2012 ·
I remember childhood summers spent at my grandparents house…lounging in the kitchen on warm afternoons, sipping Yoo-Hoo’s, eating Twinkies, and listening to the ever-so-loud classic radio shows blasting through the AM channels. Granted, I’m a child of the 1980′s, not the 1940′s, so this may seem a bit antiquated. At the time I was probably wishing for the Top 40 tunes of Madonna and Prince, but now that I’m older and wiser, I look back on those hazy dog-days of summer and feel a twinge of nostalgia. That nostalgia was brought back in full force Monday evening when I saw Gotham Radio Theatre’s performance “Redheads and Bohemians“. An original radio play by Sydnie Grosberg Ronga, “Redheads and Bohemians” MORE.... |
Charles Napier as Sherlock Holmes
Charles was born in North Umbridge and was raised in various North Country towns. Started at South Bristol Repertory theater for 3 seasons, starring in several classic comedies most notably What the Butler Didn’t Hear! Several seasons at various Rep theaters followed then came his big break, Standing by for Noel Coward in the The Vortex in the West End. Charles next break was One season at the Royal Shakespeare Company working with John Gielgud, Laurence Olivier and Ralph Richardson. Then His next break came while visiting his dear friend Arthur Treacher out in Hollywood. Arthur broke his leg just as he was about begin filming with Americas number one star, that little long haired beauty...Lassie. By a great stroke of luck Charles was there to replace Arthur and was already off book, having read the script while staying at Arthur's. The doors to many Studios opened for Charles and he did many classic Short films for RKO, WARNER BROS. and MGM. Working with the likes of Rex the Wonder Dog, RinTinTin, Asta, and Nelson Eddy. With RKO Charles appeared in the very successful series of short films called Cheeves and Rooster (Not Jeeves). The fun misadventures of a British butler who has to work on a farm with a talking rooster. Charles has appeared recently with the USO/Bond drive campaign all across America holding the leash of Fowler, FDR's Scottish terrier. Charles has appeared with GRT in Hound of The Baskervilles, Fallen Angels, Holiday and their recent Christmas Pageant. He would like to thank GOTHAM RADIO THEATRE for casting him opposite real people (the talking/singing reindeer in the last show doesn't count). Enjoy the show!
Smokey Adams as Dr. Watson
The son of New Jersey senator Ellsworth Adams, he attended the Hunn School and Princeton University, where he pursued a degree in geology. He was a splendid athlete and singer and while at Princeton developed an interest in the theatre. After college, he worked aboard a freighter, then as a special investigator for the Pennsylvania Railroad. He abruptly quit that job and made his way to Hollywood, where he got work as a band vocalist. This led to small singing roles in films beginning in 1934 and then sang on the radio. He was hired by Warner Brothers as a supporting actor who could croon a tune when called upon. His good looks and good natured personality made him a natural choice for the supporting cast. His first starring role was in the western Treachery Rides The Range. In the westerns that followed, he would sing the tune while riding the horse or romancing the gal. After several pictures in which he was billed as Chick Adams, he was signed by Warner Bros. and his name was changed to Smokey. In 1940, Smokey headed for Universal where he was, again, in the supporting case. He worked in serials, Rangers of Fortune ; horror, The Mummy’s Hand; to comedy, Ride ‘Em Cowboy. His signature theme "I'm Smokin’ With Love For You" was introduced in Lasso Lady. After that, roles were sporadic. In recent years, Smokey has devoted himself to radio full-time, appearing in soap operas and mysteries and on occasion, often providing comedy relief. A reliable and feisty second banana, he’s traded quips with the best of them: Eddie Cantor, Jack Benny, Hilda Benson, Fred Allen, Tubby Johnson, and Milton Berle.
Louie Gugliano in multiple roles
Born in Brooklyn in 1886, the son of an immigrant bread baker from Genoa, Louie’s career began in vaudeville, singing beside a young George Burns in the Pee Wee Quartet. He then went solo as Little Louie, boy crooner. A promising songwriter, Louie often brought the crowd to tears with his heartrending rendition of Your Mother Is Your Best Friend After All, which Irving Berlin himself has called “the worst song I ever heard.” Louie also appeared in silent films, most notably as the bratty kid Charley Chase dropped down the well in Who’s Your Daddy? Soon too old to be considered cute any more, he returned to vaudeville as an animal wrangler for Fink’s Mules, sweeping up afterwards. There followed a stint as piano player for silent films at the Bijou, still sweeping up afterwards. It was then that Louie composed his greatest hit songs, A Gypsy From Poughkeepsie, I Love My Wife, But Oh You Kid! and The Pussycat Polka. He started in radio playing spooky organ for Inner Sanctum and belting out bloodcurdling screams whenever anybody was murdered. At this point Fate intervened, giving Louie some priceless free publicity. Filling in as emcee at the Friar’s Club, Louie got sucker-punched by Jerry Lewis after mistakenly introducing him as “Larry Jewish." Then, at a restaurant in Little Italy, Louie approached Frank Sinatra, intending to compliment him, but somehow insulting him instead, whereupon Old Blue Eyes crowned him with three platters of pasta. Today Louie is best known for playing a score of memorable bit parts in obscure films, and is affectionately referred to in the business as “you know…what’shisname.”
Simone Vandermark in Multiple Roles
Simone Vandermark A Child of Dutch immigrants. Her father is an actor (Ben "the bear" Vandermark) and accordion player. Her mother (Wilma Vandermark) is a painter and medium. Simone's stage debut as a child actor was as a fairy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It was then that she knew she would be an actress - Simone went on to study acting, in too many famous schools to name here. She has graced the Broadway stage in such productions as Stars in Your Eyes, The Girl From Nantucket, No Time For Comedy, and countless more. Her Recent performance in Angel Street was revered as “riveting” as was her Nina in Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull. Simone enjoys spending nearly all of her spare time with her favorite pup and best friend, Nina.
Irene Dahlia Irene Adler & Mrs. Hudson
Born Arina Torporkov in Saint Petersburg, Irene’s mother was a member of the Moscow Art Theatre founded by Constantin Stanislovski. Her family immigrated on the heels of the Russian Revolution. Her mother Sonia Torporkov (stage name Mollie Anderson) worked as an actress on Broadway, appearing in The Fountain of Youth”among others. Irene made her Broadway debut in 1924 with a small role in Anthony and Cleopatra. She returned to Broadway in 1926, starring in “She Couldn’t Say No” and has been a star in her own right ever since. FDR once remarked on her performance in The Bohemian Girl as “moving Russian and U.S. relations to a new delicious level.” Irene will next appear in Gotham Radio Theatre’s production of Blithe Spirit. this summer she will tour the country in the Broadway hit, “Suspect”. Married briefly to screen star, John Garfield, Irene lives quietly in New York with her little dog Sasha.
Directed and Adapted by Sydnie Gale (Sydnie Grosberg Ronga)
Sydnie Gale began her career as a stage manager, most notably for Sarah Bernhardt's American tour. Miss Bernhardt brought her back to France, but not knowing the language Miss Gale moved to London. She spent the next few years touring with plays by Shaw and Wilde. While working with the Gaiety Players she was asked to direct Shaw's The Philanderer. The tour was a great success and she became the company's regular director bringing some American plays into their repertoire. In 1928 the Gaiety Players toured the United States and Miss Gale decided to stay. She directed for The Theatre Guild bringing the works of Shaw, Molnar and Pirandello to the American Stage. As radio became more popular she often adapted her productions for broadcast. Miss Gale has been the primary director for Gotham Radio Theatre and is delighted to be continuing her work with with this adaptation of Sherlock Holmes.