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It was a year ago this week when the Mid-Ohio Valley Players, like other community theater groups, was forced to shut its doors due to the pandemic.
Yet to continue to bring theater to the valley and give local actors, directors and technicians an opportunity to practice their craft, the group created its social distance theater, WMOVP Radio Theatre, an online presentation of vintage radio shows.
The theater group will present its 20th production of WMOVP Radio at 7 p.m. today with a sci-fi double feature, two episodes from the classic radio series "X minus One."
First is "The Veldt," an adaptation of the Ray Bradbury short story by the same name. It is a suspenseful look at what happens when a family provides everything for their children, except love.
The second show, "Skulking Permit," adapted from the short story by Robert Sheckley, is a satire that portrays humanity's potential for unity and peace, as it is challenged by ghosts from the past.
"Both of these shows illustrate the range of humanity's vulnerability and its strength," Director David Scheimann said.
To view the live performance, join on the webinar link at 7 p.m. today at https://mariettacollege.zoom.us/j/93626779110 or call in to hear the audio at 301-715-8592 or 312-626-6799, Webinar ID: 936 2677 9110.
If unable to join in for the live performance, the show will be available on the Mid-Ohio Valley Players Facebook page beginning as a premier video 8 p.m. Saturday.
Scheimann, directing his first WMOVP production, encourages everyone to tune in to the presentation.
"We've got some new faces in this show, as well as some actors we haven't seen in a while, and some you love to watch again and again," he said.
Natasha Allen, among the newest members of the company, plays Patty in "The Veldt."
"This has been a fun experience playing a middle schooler in a sci-fi world and also a challenging experience doing some kind of theater during a global pandemic," Allen said. "But I think it's awesome that people are finding ways to continue the arts and I am glad I am a part of it."
Founding Director Suzanne Walker got the idea for social distance theater when her employer, Marietta College, invited employees to use Zoom accounts to help the community stay connected.
"I never expected that we would still be doing WMOVP Radio Theatre a year later, but it has been a wonderful creative outlet for so many," Walker said. "We hope that it continues to be a source of family entertainment for the valley."
The Mid-Ohio Valley Players has been able to reopen, but at 15 percent of the house or 45 patrons could see a show on any given evening.
The new pandemic orders from the governor has raised the capacity to 25 percent of the house, Players President J.R. Wells said.
"However, we know that some people who are at the greatest risk are still not able to come to the theater either as patrons or as participants in shows," Wells said. "So we are committed to continuing WMOVP offerings once a month until that time when we can congregate safely together."
Mid-Ohio Valley Players is continuing its Pledge Drive. The goal of the drive is $20,000 to help meet overhead costs and continue to work on renovations following the installation of the new roof.
"Producing original scripts, offering creative outlets for actors, directors and technicians, educating the next generation through Junior Players and Youth Theatre and providing family entertainment for the Valley is what it's all about and we need the community's help," Wells said.
Cast list for today's shows:
"The Veldt"
∫ Announcer/narrator: Kirk McCall
∫ Dr. McClean: Chad Goode
∫ George, father: Ray Ryan
∫ Lydia, mother: Becca Buck
∫ Patty, daughter: Natasha Allen
∫ Wendy, daughter: Amber Smrek
∫∫∫
"Skulking Permit"
∫ Announcer: Kirk McCall
∫ Inspector: Morgan Maciag
∫ Tommie Fisher: Sarah Rose Drake
∫ Billy Painter: Dyrk Conrad
∫ Mayor of the New Delaware colony: Nathaniel Maciag
∫ Edie Beer: Kristina Marion Wenmoth
∫ Marv/Mary Carpenter: Chad Goode
∫ Mr. Grent: Ray Ryan
∫ Director and sound design: David Scheimann