Bonnie Grice on the “WWII Radio Christmas Show” at the SCC

Many things bring value to communities. Both the visual arts and the performing arts help ignite a high quality of enjoyment on the East End. The Hamptons does an extraordinary job creating a sensational spirit for the Holiday Season. Shining brightly always includes art galleries, Movie houses, and theaters for live performing arts. This holiday season, many live shows are being presented all over the Hamptons. There is one that has both a “Seasonal” spin as well as a “Patriotic” theme.

Starting December 5th, Bonnie Grice’s boots-on-the-ground theater will be presenting the “WWII Radio Christmas Show.” Ms. Grice said the production, “… will be honoring the 80th anniversary of the end of the war this year.”  She stated, “This show has special meaning for all of us. We’ve all been touched by the important role our veterans have played throughout our history, and especially with WWII, the greatest generation.” The show will be at the Southampton Cultural Center in Southampton Village and will be set in a radio studio (onstage) on Christmas Eve (1944). It runs December 5th – 14th. Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm and on Sundays at 3pm. There will be a free opening reception on Friday, December 5th, at 5pm. There will be no charge for veterans and their accompanying family.

Grice said this show is important because it’s “Honoring a time when our country came together in the spirit of unity, freedom, and real pride in the face of great hardship. Plus, some of us had relatives who served in the war. We want to honor their memory and take audiences back in time. We’ll have Christmas carols, old-timey radio jingles, and sound effects. And special songs of the time… These stories are based on actual accounts from veterans.”

When asked to comment on the cast, Ms. Grice said, “Kristin Dougherty returns after her star turn as Cassandra in Vanya this past October. Other familiar names include Robert Nelson, Geoffrey Milton, Gerri Wilson, and Evelyn Lubrano. We’re pleased to welcome some new talent, including Sandra K of LTV’s “Cafe with Sandra K”, and Paul DeMasi, who’s been one of our Dickens Carolers in past Decembers, but makes his stage debut with this show… bringing his guitar to accompany some of the songs and carols. And we’re thrilled to welcome back one of our all-time favorite actor/singer Tom Rosante, who’s been onstage at SCC in many shows including boots-on-the-ground-theater’s Sherlock Holmes. James Pritchard directs once again, and together we’ve put together a terrific ensemble featuring some old and new friends.” 

Ms. Grice also added, “Plus, there’ll be an exhibit in the SCC gallery of more than 50 large panels featuring the bios and photos of men and women from the East End who served. Sponsored by the Southampton History Museum and researched by my husband, Stephen Gould, the museum curator.”

She concluded by pointing out that the playwright Pat Kruis Tellinghusen once said, “When I wrote WWII Radio Christmas I pledged to rouse memories that had slumbered for decades, and to prompt conversations between generations.”  Grice added, “I can’t think of anything better for boots on the ground theater to present, given that part of our mission is to feature theater grounded in history. We’re proud to bring these stories to life with plenty of old-fashioned spirit and Christmas fun.”