Casting Talent fo "The 1940s Radio Hour"

Non-singing role WOV radio station stage door keeper. A former vaudeville comedian, still has great comedic timing. Crusty and crotchety with Neil, BJ and Wally, admires Johnny Cantone, genuinely fond of Ann Collier. Was in World War I and has a son in the Pacific. Lovable in his cantankerous way, non-singing role.

Non-singing role WOV stage manager. Plays the big shot in charge, always has multiple conversations going at once, repeats almost everything Clifton says. The surrogate boss during rehearsals. Always trying to impress Ginger Brooks. Handles the sound effects and cues the audience during the radio show.

Baritone WOV general manager, chief salesman, announcer and founder of the Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade. The man in charge. MUST use a radio announcer voice and delivery. Always worried and harried, runs the gamut of stages of hysteria, treats every radio show as though the whole world is listening.

Baritone The station comic, drives a cab. Son of the wealthy Tildens of Grammercy Park but was cut out of the will for being “a bum in show business”. Wants to be important, but is a whiner, always sneaking around doing things he is not supposed to do (and getting caught). Always trying to undermine other members of the station cast to build himself up. A little slow on the up-take. Physical comedy skills a plus for this character.

Alto The station featured female vocalist – class all the way. Has a sultry, smooth voice like Helen Forrest, Margaret Whiting and Judy Garland all mixed into one. During the day works as an executive secretary at a large corporation. Has been married once before, currently “dating” Johnny Cantone. Has a soft spot in her heart for “Pops.”

Alto High-class black singer from Kansas City; think Ella Fitzgerald or Pearl Bailey. Sassy, fun-loving. Has a group of her own with which she plays other spots when she is not performing at WOV. She is always performing and loving it.

Soprano Bobbysoxer from Ogden, Utah. Naïve, enthusiastic, always in love. “Seriously dating” BJ Gibson. Should be able to move well, jitterbug and tap a plus for this character. An elevator operator at the Astor Hotel during the day.

Baritone Featured male vocalist at the station, a Sinatra wannabe. Always dressed to the nines, drinks too much, drinks during the radio show. Wears a wedding ring, but his wife left him years ago. World weary, realizes his chance has passed him by but does not accept it.

Alto Bubble-headed waitress turned radio star discovery of Lou Cohn’s who found her in a restaurant where she still works. Chews gum throughout the show and takes it out and holds it in her hand while she is performing, then pops it back into her mouth. A combination pin-up girl and Gracie Allen.

Baritone The third of the Gibson brothers to work for Clifton. Preppy, a student at Yale who commutes to the weekend rehearsals and Monday night performances at WOV. Dating Connie Miller. Should be able to move well, jitterbug and tap a plus for this character. Eager to please, secretly idolizes Johnny Cantone.

Baritone Poodle-eyed young hopeful from Allentown, PA who came to New York to work for his uncle at the drugstore and hopefully get his big break into show business. Always practicing everyone’s routines for the show, also makes deliveries during the show. The cast of the Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade are the world’s biggest stars to him.

Non-singing role Dutiful stage hand. Lugs cable and runs around a lot and otherwise lives in the control booth. Drinks coffee and eats constantly. Has a thing for Ginger whose numbers he watches a little more animatedly. Not too bright. Punches in like Pops and Lou.