Jerry Holleran

One of Elmira Little Theatre's most popular shows each season is A Visit to the Golden Age of Radio. This year's 19th edition promises to be just as popular, but this time around there will be a major difference when the show is performed on Friday, March 31st, at 7:30pm and Saturday, April 1st, at 2pm and 7:30pm in Mandeville Hall at the Clemens Center. This year's show features the premiere of an original drama by local author and director, Jerry Holleran. Jerry Holleran's name and face should be very familiar to Elmira theater lovers. He has been in many ELT productions, including The Odd Couple, Inherit the Wind, Mame, and five editions of A Visit to the Golden Age of Radio.

"I've been producing and directing the radio show since its first edition in 1988," said director Gary Yoggy, a resident of Corning who directed this season's production of The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial which also starred Holleran. "But this is the first time we've attempted an all-new script." It's obvious that Yoggy is very pleased with the endeavor. "Jerry has appeared in several radio shows for me. He's a great actor, but I also discovered that he's a talented writer when he pitched in to write original bridging material for the shows. He has such an incredible feel for the form that I told him he if he wrote an all-new script for me, I'd be proud to produce it and allow him to direct it."

The new drama is Rendezvous with Destiny: The Eddie O'Hare Story, which is based on the real life story of Eddie O'Hare, the World War II flying ace whose name you know, even if you don't know why. "This has been such an exciting opportunity for me. I love acting and directing, but Gary's faith in my writing is inspirational." When asked about the theme of his show, Holleran answered, "It's all about fatherhood--the sacrifices fathers make for their children. In fact, I dedicate this effort to the four people who taught me what it means to be a father: to Marty Holleran, my mentor and personal hero; and to my sons Joshua, Alex, and Jack Ryan."

Holleran has high praise for his cast and crew. "I'm honored and privileged, not to mention extremely so grateful, to be working with such an amazing group of actors. On top of that, Will Wickham has composed original music for my show and our Sound Technician, Bart Curtis, makes you believe the car chases, gun fights, and aerial battles are really happening."

Will Hutchins	Rosemary Rice

"I know I say this every year," Yoggy chuckled, "but this year is our best production yet. In addition Jerry's show, we are also presenting classic episodes of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Have Gun, Will Travel, I Remember Mama, and an Ellery Queen Adventure. Our special guest performers this year are Will Hutchins, star of the 1950s television western Sugarfoot, and Rosemary Rice, star of the 1940s radio program I Remember Mama."

"How often do people like us who live in the Southern Tier get the opportunity to see stars from the golden age of radio and television live on a local stage?" Holleran commented. "If I weren't already working on the show, I can promise you I'd be in the audience!"

Elmira Little Theatre's A Visit to the Golden Age of Radio will have only three performances Friday, March 31st, at 7:30pm and Saturday, April 1st, at 2pm and 7:30pm in Mandeville Hall at the Clemens Center. Seating is limited. To reserve tickets, call the Clemens Center Box Office at 607-734-8191.