NEW DATE! Saturday, November 17th at 3pm and 7pm!
'Jeeves and Wooster in America', story by P.G. Wodehouse, Adapted for Radio by Sydnie Grosberg Ronga
Why, you may wonder, are Jeeves and Wooster in America? It has mostly to do with Aunt Agatha, a family named Glossop, a broken engagement and an ill fated theatrical career.
Cyril Bassington-Bassington arrives in America with a letter of introduction from Aunt Agatha. Wooster manages to introduce him to a Broadway playwright and get Cyril cast in a small role. Then the cable arrives - “Has Cyril Bassington-Bassington called yet? On no account introduce him into theatrical circles. Vitally important. Letter follows.” |
Henry Barrington-Smythe as Jeeves (aka John Rainer)
Born in Chipping Campden,Gloucestershire, England, Henry’s mother was the former variety artist Lilly Deville, known as The Luscious Lilly in London’s Music Halls. His father Cedric Barrington-Smythe was the Vicar of St. Peter’s Church,Chipping Campden. Educated at Moorside Grammar School in Wiltshire he first made his stage appearance as a belligerent innkeeper in his father’s Christmas Pageant. Bitten with the acting bug he begged his mother to help with his apprenticeship in the theatre. As a young juvenile he learned his craft in repertory companies from Land’s End to John O’Groats. His success in shows and revues in London’s West End includes Ivor Novello’s ‘Glamorous Night’ and Noel Coward’s ‘Cavalcade’ at Drury Lane. His appearance at Regent’s Park’s Open Air Theatre in George Bernard Shaw’s ‘Too True To Be Good’ led to a personal relationship with Shaw and parts in ‘The Apple Cart’ and ‘Pygmalion.’ The famous playwright said that Barrington Smythe was his fifth favourite actor after the four Marx Brothers. His film career includes early films for the British Film Industry with the company Minerva Films founded by his friend the actor Leslie Howard. He was invited to Hollywood by RKO to appear in two Astaire Rogers musicals ‘Top Hat ‘(1935) and ‘Shall We Dance’ (1937) which led to many roles as the gentleman’s gentleman and British silly asses. He met his wife ex Ziegfeld Girl Maude Spriggs while he was starring on Broadway with Katherine Cornell in ‘The Barretts of Wimpole Street.’ The Barrington- Smythes are renowned as Hollywood’s most generous and congenial hosts. The Hollywood Reporter said “A night at Henry and Maudie’s is always full of fun and games and famous faces.” He is delighted to be back on the air after his Charles Dickens’ adaptations for the BBC. He hopes The Gotham Radio Theatre may give him the opportunity to revive his mother’s much admired bird call impressions.
Hunter Fields as Wooster (aka Christopher Burke)
Hunter Fields was born the only child to Samuel and Loretta Fields, and raised on the family farm 10 miles outside of Louisville, KY, home to the famous 'Kentucky Derby'. While many families in the area raised and trained thoroughbreds, Hunter's family always preferred to raise cattle and grains. Hunter's father followed in the tradition of his father and his father's father, and had hoped that his son would carry the Field's farm onto the next generation.
Unfortunately, Hunter chose to follow Maryellen Lynn instead…straight to New York City. Maryellen and Hunter met and fell in love in their little country schoolhouse in the 3rd grade. Maryellen had big city dreams and headed to NYC to chase them. Hunter only had dreams of a life with Maryellen and headed to NYC to chase her. Since Hunter only knew how to farm he had trouble finding work, and most days would just tag along to Maryellen's auditions. One day, another actor didn't show up to read with Maryellen, so she begged and pleaded with Hunter to come in and read with her.
Apparently the men in suits liked Hunter, because they excused Maryellen and asked Hunter to stay and sing. Luckily, Hunter had been singing in his church choir (which Loretta was the director of) since the age of 5 and wowed the producers with his rendition of "Amazing Grace". Three short weeks of dance and voice training later, he took the stage as 'Curly' to replace Alfred Drake (who had recently sprained his ankle!) and Maryellen took the first greyhound back to Louisville. Since his triumphant debut, he's tred the boards with "On the Town", "Annie Get Your Gun", "Brigadoon", "Kiss Me Kate" and most recently, "South Pacific".
He'd like to thank Gotham Radio Theatre for the opportunity, but mostly, Maryellen for the bus fare to get to NYC!
Unfortunately, Hunter chose to follow Maryellen Lynn instead…straight to New York City. Maryellen and Hunter met and fell in love in their little country schoolhouse in the 3rd grade. Maryellen had big city dreams and headed to NYC to chase them. Hunter only had dreams of a life with Maryellen and headed to NYC to chase her. Since Hunter only knew how to farm he had trouble finding work, and most days would just tag along to Maryellen's auditions. One day, another actor didn't show up to read with Maryellen, so she begged and pleaded with Hunter to come in and read with her.
Apparently the men in suits liked Hunter, because they excused Maryellen and asked Hunter to stay and sing. Luckily, Hunter had been singing in his church choir (which Loretta was the director of) since the age of 5 and wowed the producers with his rendition of "Amazing Grace". Three short weeks of dance and voice training later, he took the stage as 'Curly' to replace Alfred Drake (who had recently sprained his ankle!) and Maryellen took the first greyhound back to Louisville. Since his triumphant debut, he's tred the boards with "On the Town", "Annie Get Your Gun", "Brigadoon", "Kiss Me Kate" and most recently, "South Pacific".
He'd like to thank Gotham Radio Theatre for the opportunity, but mostly, Maryellen for the bus fare to get to NYC!
Schuyler Martin as Cyril Bassington-Bassington (aka Robert Rice)
Schuyler Martin is grateful to return to the stage with Gotham Radio Theater in “Wooster and Jeeves in America”. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, he is a world-renowned female impersonator who made his breakthrough as the body double for Barbara Stanwyck in “Double Indemnity”. Coming from an unusual upbringing among nuns and unwed women, Schuyler, currently married to his childhood sweetheart Sally Wood, perfected his imitation of the female form. Also an accomplished actor, he broke into Hollywood as Curious Child #2 in “King Kong”, and the Wind in “Gone with the Wind”. Always fond of theater, Schuyler accepted an offer for the titular role in a stage adaptation of the 1933 German Film “Viktor/Viktoria” here in NYC. Although a flop, the move serendipitously introduced him to Miss Sydnie Gale, and his future in radio theatre was sealed.
Finn Dragovich as George Caffyn (aka Branislav Tomich)
Finn Dragovich - Originally raised on a farm in Serbia, Finn Dragovich began his early training in Europe under the tutelage of several Stanislavski masters. After emigrating to the United States he served as one of many production assistants with Orson Welles' Mercury Radio Theatre, eventually appearing in small roles. He is ever grateful to Mr. Welles for launching his American career which led to several exciting theatrical and film opportunities including the experimental theater company Les Molière-ialistes Extraordinaires with which he toured this great land. Performing in a multitude of venues and revues, he was frequently fêted by such theatrical and film luminaries as Isadora Duncan, Sir Seymour Hicks, Bette Davis, and Jojo The Flap-Eared Boy.
Director, Sydnie Gale (aka Sydnie Grosberg Ronga)
Sydnie Gale began her career as a stage manager, most notably for Sarah Bernhardt's American tour. Miss Bernhardt brought her back to France, but not knowing the language Miss Gale moved to London. She spent the next few years touring with plays by Shaw and Wilde. While working with the Gaiety Players she was asked to direct Shaw's The Philanderer. The tour was a great success and she became the company's regular director bringing some American plays into their repertoire. In 1928 the Gaiety Players toured the United States and Miss Gale decided to stay. She directed for The Theatre Guild bringing the works of Shaw, Molnar and Pirandello to the American Stage. As radio became more popular she often adapted her productions for broadcast. Miss Gale has been the primary director for Gotham Radio Theatre and is delighted to be continuing her work with this adaptation of 'Present Laughter' by Noel Coward.