Project Audion: Classic Audio Dramas for Modern Times

The "Damon Runyon Theatre," a syndicated radio series from 1949 relating stories of New York's "guys and dolls" -- mobsters and dames, gamblers and frails, saints and sinners -- which newspaperman and sportswriter Damon Runyon colorfully brought to life in decades of short stories. They may have been gangsters, but they often had hearts of gold underneath - plus a unique present-tense way of speaking which has come to be known as "Runyonesque."

The Damon Runyon Theatre recorded 52 charming half-hour versions of his stories, and those got writer Casey Keller (Beakman's World, The Love Boat) wanting more. So he's written a new episode, and Project Audion brings you the world premiere of his Runyonesque tale, "Ringside Rosie." Our transcontinental cast is captured live in performance, just like they things did 1949, for a delightful story about a doll who loved boxing, and the guy who loved her. Our cast includes:

Duane Noch in New Jersey Don Paul in California Andy Hartson-Bowyer in Virginia Jacob Palka in Illinois Stanley Dyrector in California Paul Arbisi in Illinois Reg Platt in Texas Susan Platt in Texas Casey Keller in California with the production under the supervision of Larry Groebe in Texas

Just premiered for the International Jack Benny Society annual convention, and now available to all: a "new" episode of the classic Jack Benny radio show newly penned exclusively for Project Audion by Bob Hope comedy writer Robert L. Mills. Here, Jack and the gang do a send up of the movie "Witness for the Prosecution" - with W. C. Fields in a guest-starring role.

Here's what Mr Mills said after hearing the final product: "This as near perfection as any living humans could possibly recreate a 75-year-old radio show. You performed miracles producing this and the program will take its place among the best work you've ever done." As Jack would say... "Well!” That's a tribute to the cast and crew. Go ahead - join our virtual studio audience and laugh at the efforts of these talented voice actors...

John Bell in Alabama Pete Lutz in Texas Ken Jeffries in California Carl Thomas in Texas Bob Beaumont in California Angela Young in Florida Harry Middlebrooks in CA Norman Cline in Kentucky Bob Mills wrote the script in LA While back in Texas, Larry Groebe oversaw the production

Brought back to life after nearly 90 years buried at the Library of Congress, Project Audion recreates the very first script Arch Oboler created for NBC's famous late night horror drama "Lights Out." Lights Out stories gave the listener free rein to imagine the worst. And in the hands of a master storyteller like Oboler, the worst could be terrifying indeed - like a good campfire ghost story, reinforced with sound effects.

"Burial Services" took a simple, horrifying premise - being buried alive - and wrapped a moody story around it, one whose shock value comes as much from hearing the private thoughts of the attendees as what happens to the person in the coffin. When "Burial Services" aired June 3, 1936 it upset so many listeners that it was never produced again - but it launched Arch Oboler on a long and highly successful career. Only the original script of "Burial Services" survived, resting in peace in the archives of the Library of Congress. Project Audion was able to unearth the script, and our transcontinental cast (even including a licensed mortician) performs the episode in its original as-broadcast form for the first time in nine decades. Listen with the lights out...if you dare...

Festuring Holly Adams, New York Patte Rosebank, Canada John Mauldin, Tennessee Grace Wagner, Illinois Doug Fain, Kentucky Greg McAfee, California Sharon Grunwald, New Jersey Vincent Caruso, New York Production, direction, and sound patterns were by Larry Groebe, Texas.

Project Audion once again brings you laughs, with an all-new original episode of the Jack Benny Program sponsored by Lucky Strike cigarettes. This Audion Original was written for us by former Bob Hope staff writer Robert L. Mills. Jack Benny was his childhood comedy inspiration, and once again Mr. Mills has recreated that classic Benny style and humor so faithfully it's like discovering a lost episode!

This week, Jack has snagged Jimmy Stewart as his guest star, so the Benny gang (Mary Livingston, Dennis Day, Phil Harris, Mel Blanc, and the rest) can stage their send-up of the Alfred Hitchcock film "The Man Who Knew Too Much." Also, after a trying violin lesson with Professor LeBlanc, Jack faces a tax audit which requires a trip to the IRS to explain some of his more mysterious deductions. Performing live in our virtual Zoom studio, our coast-to-coast cast and crew once again capture the sound of the Benny show right down to the studio audience. Tune in and join in the laughter!

JOHN BELL In Alabama SCOTT MCKINLEY in New Jersey ANGELA YOUNG in Florida PAUL PATTERSON in Georgia PETE LUTZ in Texas BOB BEAUMONT in California RACHEL PULLIAM in Missouri KEN JEFFRIES in California LARRY GROEBE produced and directed from Texas

Premiering tonight (2/9) at 9 PM Eastern, Project Audion recreates a shocking tale of love, hate, conspiracy, and murder - all the more so for being a true story that took place in 1778. "The Crime of Bathsheba Spooner" tells the story of the first woman executed for murder in the United States. It was the audition script for a new CBS radio drama series - "Crime Classics" -- a sort of mid-century predecessor to today's true-crime podcasts, created by some of radio's finest actors, writers, directors, and musicians.

Audion's rendition of "The Crime of Bathsheba Spooner" works from the uncut audition script, including material that never aired seventy years ago. In addition, we visit with Andrew Noone, author of a recent book on the 1778 murder, trial, and execution. Join us and listen to the modern passions that inflamed Revolutionary America!