VANCOUVER, Wash. – “Affairs of the Heart with Lonesome Gal,” a live radio drama directed by John Barber, professor in the Creative Media and Digital Culture program at Washington State University Vancouver, will be performed at the Kiggins Theatre in downtown Vancouver on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. Featuring local voice actors and sound artists, the show will be performed once only. Doors open at 6 p.m. The performance begins at 7 p.m.
“Affairs of the Heart” will sample five romantic radio dramas from the 1940s through the 1960s. The performance is part of Re‑Imagined Radio, a series led by Barber that presents live performances of new and classic radio dramas.
“Beyond entertainment, our live performance is both an exploration of how the original radio drama might have been produced, and an effort to promote civic engagement through community art and performances,” Barber said.
The program includes:
- “Lonesome Gal,” which Barber describes as “the first virtual girlfriend, a sultry voice on the radio.”
- “Good Salesperson,” the story of two lonely people who connect through the newspaper’s personals column.
- “The Valiant,” a tale about the unexplainable actions undertaken for love.
- “The Romance of Helen Trent,” an exploration of the hardships and heartbreaks endured for love.
- “Bloodthirsty Kate,” a story showing how love can toss human beings about, “like ships on the ocean,” Barber said. “When this happens, even pirates have trouble finding love.”
Tickets are available for $10 in advance online at the Kiggins Theatre website, or for $12 at the door the night of the performance. A special couples package is available for $25, including two tickets, a small popcorn and two chocolate truffles from Fleur Chocolatte. Concessions, beer and wine will be available for purchase before and during the performance.
Re‑Imagined Radio is a partnership between several southwest Washington organizations, Barber, Kiggins Theatre, KXRW Radio, Metropolitan Performing Arts, and the Creative Media & Digital Culture Program at WSU Vancouver.
