That was your Broadcast Day, Goodnight!

That was your Broadcast Day, Goodnight!

Rosanne Fortier

News Correspondent

It was a play where the cast had the knack of getting right into the character’s personality while they maintained a serious expression as they said a humorous line or script.

Yes, once again, Vegreville Centennial Library’s live theatre group presented a flawless production of ‘That was your Broadcast Day, Goodnight!’ for the library’s fifth annual play on March 15, 16, and 17.

Library Manager, Donna Williams was the Producer of this play which she noted is a fundraiser for the library where all funds generated will be used to continue to provide many free programs throughout the year at the library.

UKWN Radio Announcers, Wilhelm and Thomas speak to each other.

(Rosanne Fortier/photo)

Nels Nelson was the Director. It was Nelson’s childhood dream to write and perform in plays. Once again, Nelson lived his dream while he gave the audience a triple-treat as he was the Director, Playwright, and Actor for this play. Nelson said the cast and crew put about 60 hours of work into this play. This play also allowed him to fulfill his dream of working on a radio station. As well, Nelson always liked radio dramas and they were incorporating doing one tonight, The Lone Sheriff of Garlic Gulch which was a play within a play).

The Radio Show’s The Lone Sherriff of Garlic Gulch’s cast speak to each other.

(Rosanne Fortier/photo)

The plot of the play focused on the drama of working off and on the air of a 1950’s radio station- UKWN -1770. The characters who work at the station have a passion for radio media and are concerned that the popularity of television might cause their radio station to be switched to a television station. This becomes a new reality when a new owner was determined to make this change and the radio’s personnel had to convince the new owner that the radio station and the radio drama show was worth keeping.

During the intermission period, the audience helped themselves to popcorn, refreshments, water, and coffee.

This was also a chance to get a glimpse into the cast’s world and asked the audience’s their impressions of the play.

Actress Susan Denman who played the new owner of the radio station, Mrs. Van Swanson said she has performed in all five plays the library has held. She loves acting as it gives her a chance to play dress-up. She found all the practicing for the play to be fun. “Everyone got really close, we joked and had fun!” Susan said. She works as an elementary teacher so when she finds practicing for the play a bit challenging, she is motivated by the thought that the funds will help the library have free programs for the children and youth. Also, she loves giving the audience’s a good show.

Pastor Steve Williams who watched the play said he found the play entertaining. “I’m pretty impressed by how well the play flowed. It’s neat the way people could pick-up the feeling of change and all the feelings of the characters.”

Barb Hymanyk added she really enjoyed the play because it felt real to her. “I find the characters to be really engaging and they had the technique of making a person want to find out what happened next.”

The play was written by Nels Nelson. The cast talents were Cleo Denman, Grady Denman, Susan Denman, Reggie Fadeyi, Judy Fedechko, Deanna Miller, Kya Nelson, Nels Nelson, Brad Sonnenberg, Annie Werstiuk, Brittney Werstiuk, Ethan Williams, Becky Yurko. The Director was Nels Nelson, The Producer was Library Manager Donna Williams, and John Yurko worked on the sound.