Intriguing science fiction radio dramas to be heard at Quick Center | Press Releases

Hear what writers of the past envisioned the future would be in "Science Fiction from the Golden Age," a group of radio dramas to be performed Saturday, Feb. 8 at Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. The show will be presented at 3 and 8 p.m. in the Wien Experimental Theatre.

Director Daniel Smith of New Haven will lead the cast through three episodes of some of the radio era's most popular and intriguing shows. The cast includes New Haven residents Gary Cavello, John Watson, Rob Rocke and Michael Sayers; Joe Mango of Ansonia; Josiah Rowe of Cheshire; and Dakota Shepard of Brooklyn, N.Y. Ted Powell of Stratford will provide sound effects and play the theramin, a 1920s electronic instrument that emits a creepy, high-pitched wail. Smith will play the organ.

"The Seventh Victim" is an episode from "X-1," a popular radio show that showcased short plays set in the future. The story revolves around a harsh society that sanctions hunting humans to combat overpopulation. "The Seventh Victim" details one man's dilemma when he's order to hunt down and kill a woman.

Groucho Marx and Vincent Price were the stars of the original "The Undecided Molecule," another highlight of the show. Taken from "Columbia Presents Corwin," the unusual tale was written by master storyteller Norman Corwin and is presented in rhyming meter.

"It's about a molecule that decides not to cooperate with the laws of physics and is put on trial for it," Smith said. "It's very clever and funny."

The third installment is about two scientists who unwittingly contact hostile aliens while doing a routine experiment. Taken from the horrow show "Murder at Midnight," the episode is aptly named "Terror Out of Space."

Smith is editing the shows to make room for another treat - "Top Secret D-Ray," an episode from the children's adventure show, "Space Patrol."

The production is the second in a series of three radio dramas at the Quick Center. Tickets are $10. For tickets, call the Quick Center box office at (203) 254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396. Media inquiries should be made to Dana Ambrosini, Fairfield University's assistant director of media relations, at (203) 254-4000, ext. 2726.