Feisty females shine in "Radio Dames," a program of great gal roles in radio, on Friday, Jan. 27, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 28, at 3 and 8 p.m. in the Wien Experimental Theatre at Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.

New Haven composer/director Daniel Smith leads the cast through dramas that showcase female leads, women writers and a sometimes comical look at the social roles assigned to women of the radio era.

"There will be some good female scripts and well-known female performances, as well as shows that were targeted toward women," Smith said.

Brianne Schickler, a Milford actress, will take the role of "Candy Madsen, Private Eye," a slick-talking detective known for being just as rough and tumble as her more familiar male counterparts.

"She's very much a true-to-form private eye, very much like a male gumshoe," Smith said. "She's got a guy she's always flirting with and she even gets socked on the head in just about every episode."

The program also features the classic "Sorry, Wrong Number," one of the most celebrated radio dramas ever aired. Written by Lucille Fletcher and originally played to the hilt by the legendary Agnes Moorehead, the story features a woman who accidentally hears a phone conversation between people plotting a murder and frantically tries to prevent it. Stratford actress Katie Sparer will tackle the suspenseful role.

The Quick Center performance also includes New Haven actress Kimberly Mikenis as the first lady in "Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt's Own Program." Stacy Bloxsom of Milford stars in the hilarious "Advice to the Little Peyton Girl," a program featuring an older woman teaching a child how to deal with boys and other things every girl should know.

Along the way, the cast will offer short soap operas, including episodes from "The Guiding Light" and "The Romance of Helen Trent," vintage commercials, live music from Smith and sound effects by Stratford resident Ted Powell. The cast will also be available for a post-show Q&A to discuss the show and historical depictions of women on radio.

Though the spotlight is on women in this program, several men will fill out the cast. They are: John Watson and Gary Cavello, both of New Haven; and Josiah Rowe of Cheshire.

Tickets to "Radio Dames" are $15. For tickets, call the Quick Center box office at (203) 254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396. For more information, visit www.quickcenter.com.

Posted On: 01-05-2006 10:01 AM

Volume: 38 Number: 132