SNOWY DAY IN TOWN

Well, tonight we are supposed to start recording a new series, SOLUTIONS, INC. and this is the view from my writing desk. A nice heavy, wet, icy snow. I'll see how the day pans out and how the roads look before deciding if we are on or off. We recorded KING SOLOMON'S MINES during the winter of 2008, and TICONDEROGA las winter, and never had to cancel for snow. In fact, the last time we canceled for snow was in 2005 for the three Custer episodes in POWDER RIVER! So, I guess I can't complain. We've been lucky as far as the weather.

NEW TITLES ON SPOKEN NETWORK

It's been a while since we released new titles to Spoken Network! Our 2004 production of TOBY TYLER has been on the site for six years, however, it was only available in its broadcast form - 7 half hour episodes. We have re-cut the program to run as a continuous feature. This is one of my favorite shows, and captures the mood of circus life in the 1880's.
CAPTAIN BLOOD, our 2006 production, has also only been available for download in episodes. It is now on Spoken Network as it was released on CD - in a continuous 7 hour program. There is also a new FATHER BROWN episode (the series will be completed in March), as well as a new episode of JARREM LEE - GHOST HUNTER.

Here are the links

ZORRO AND THE PIRATE RAIDERS

PERRY MASON AND THE CASE OF THE HOWLING DOG

TOBY TYLER or TEN WEEKS WITH A CIRCUS

JARREM LEE - GHOST HUNTER

CAPTAIN BLOOD

THE BOOK OF NONSENSE

THE FATHER BROWN MYSTERIES

Today we record our final two episodes in the JARREM LEE series, and next week we begin a new series by Mike Murphy, called SOLUTIONS, INC. More on that later.

CRT YEAR END REVIEW FOR 2009

It's been quite a year at CRT; perhaps the biggest change was leaving our publisher of 3 years, Blackstone Audio. :)!! I've only listed the recording dates; but suffice to say that every day our editors were hard at work, and scripts were being written at a furious rate!

In 2009 CRT produced:

12 Episodes of JARREM LEE - GHOST HUNTER. Written by Gareth Tilley, and produced by M.J. Cogburn, Seth Adam Sher, and Bryan Rothrock. Music by Jeffrey Gage.

24 Episodes of TICONDEROGA - Written by yours truly, and produced by Seth Adam Sher, music by Jeffrey Gage.

ZORRO AND THE PIRATE RAIDERS (Feature production) Written by yours truly with additional dialog by Deniz Cordell. Produced by Seth Adam Sher, Music by Jeffrey Gage.

3 Episodes of FREAKY FAIRY TALES (shorts) Written by Anastas Varinos, Produced by MJ Cogburn, music by Jeffrey Gage.

Our only CD release this year was BARRYMORE, by William Luce. This production will be re-released in 2010 in a larger market.

And So, here is what happened in '09.

JANUARY
12th: Recorded TICONDEROGA, Eps.13,14,15
26th: Recorded TICONDEROGA, Eps. 16,17,18

FEBRUARY
9: Recorded TICONDEROGA, Eps. 19,20
16: Recorded ZORRO Auditions
23: Recorded TICONDEROGA, Eps. 21,22,23,24

MARCH
Released the following CRT Titles to Audible.Com;
The Rivals
Guns of Powder River
Powder River and the Mountain of Gold
A Visit with Aesop
30: Recorded JARREM LEE - GHOST HUNTER Episode 1.

APRIL
4: Recorded PERRY MASON AND THE CASE OF THE BARKING DOG
7: Recording Session for BOOK OF NONSENSE
11: Recorded ZORRO tests.
13: Recorded ZORRO tests.
20: Recorded JARREM LEE - GHOST HUNTER Eps. 3&4
25: Recording session 1 for ZORRO AND THE PIRATE RAIDERS
27: BARRYMORE By William Luce premiers on Sirius/XM Radio
30: Recording Session 2 for ZORRO AND THE PIRATE RAIDERS

MAY
1: BARRYMORE CD Release, our final release for Blackstone Audio.
MOONFLEET photo shoot for cover art, Ipswich, MA
2: Recording Session 3 for ZORRO AND THE PIRATE RAIDERS
9: TREASURE ISLAND Photo shoot for CD release
14: Recording Session 2 for THE BOOK OF NONSENSE
15: Recording Session 3 for THE BOOK OF NONSENSE
16: Recording Session 4 for ZORRO AND THE PIRATE RAIDERS
19: Recording JARREM LEE - GHOST HUNTER, Eps. 5&6
22: Meeting with HOUSE OF COOL about animation project.


JUNE
4: Recording TICONDEROGA re-takes
21: Music Demos begin for THE STAR ANGEL
22: Recording JARREM LEE - GHOST HUNTER Eps. 7&8
25: Meeting with House of Cool for THE STAR ANGEL

JULY
1: Guest on Sirius/XM show COVER TO COVER
2: Recording Session for STAR ANGEL demos.
3: Colonial wins our 4th Ogle Award for Best Fantasy Production of 2008, Ray Bradbury's THE HALLOWEEN TREE!
6: THE STAR ANGEL script sent to UK.
18: Recording PERRY MASON AND THE CASE OF THE LUCKY LEGS
19: In Hyannis, MA at CAPE COD MELODY TENT

AUGUST
7: Recording session, TICONDEROGA re-takes
10: ZORRO completes production
Recording Session for TICONDEROGA re-takes
18: Recording session 1 for LORENZO AND THE PIRATE
19: Radio Interview for Radio Drama Revival
21: Recording Session 1 for LEGEND OF SLEEP HOLLOW straight read.
24: Recording JARREM LEE - GHOST HUNTER Eps. 9.10

SEPTEMBER
No recording sessions this month. All work focused on writing, and the post production work for JARREM LEE and BUCK ALICE. Also in Sept. started work on PROJECT X. We're calling it Project X until we have the script approved and the recording dates set; at that time we'll announce the production.

11: Our 5th Season on Sirius/XM begins with episode 1 of ZORRO. A new CRT show will play once a week for the next 42 weeks.

OCTOBER
4: Ray Bradbury and CRT agree to a fourth production together! THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES. I am writing the script, which then goes to Mr. Bradbury for approval / changes, etc. Release date will be Christmas, 2010, and Seth Adam Sher will produce.

13: Recording re-takes on TICONDEROGA.
18: Recording session FREAKY FAIRY TALES
24: Recording session for PERRY MASON AND THE CASE OF THE CURIOUS BRIDE
26: Recording session for SOLUTIONS, INC. canceled due to flu :(

NOVEMBER
2: Recording session for JARREM LEE eps. 11,12, canceled due to flu.
5: Recording session for FATHER BROWN 15,16 canceled due to flu
17: FREAKY FAIRY TALES - HOODIE! Released for download.
30: Recording session - TICONDEROGA re-takes.
*Also in November we welcomed back Chris Snyder, after a long illness.

DECEMBER
1: Recording session - TICONDEROGA re-takes
12: Recording session for BUCK ALICE foley tracks.
15: Live interview on Sirius/XM Radio COVER TO COVER show.


The CRT Production Family -

Producers: Seth Adam Sher
M.J. Cogburn
Chris Snyder
Bryan Rothrock

Music: Jeffrey Gage
Kevin McLeod

Writers: Jerry Robbins
M.J. Elliott
Gareth Tilley
Mike Murphy
Anastas Varinos

CRT in SPOKANE WASHINGTON

KPBX 91.1 in Spokane will air THE COLONIAL RADIO CHRISTMAS SPECIAL on Fri. Dec. 25th at 12pm! Many thanks to KBPX for picking up the show! We'll have a brand new Christmas Special in 2010!

CRT IS ON THE AIR IN WASHINGTON DC CHRISTMAS DAY

THE COLONIAL RADIO CHRISTMAS SPECIAL airs on WAMU 88.5 at 1pm, DEC. 25th

A CHRISTMAS CAROL airs on WAMU 88.5 at 2pm, DEC. 25th

You can also hear the show on the stations audio stream

LISTEN LIVE

RADIO SPOTS AND SPECIALS

Today I'm a guest on Maggie Linton's show COVER TO COVER on Sirius ch. 117 and XM ch. 163 at 3pm EST. It's a call in show.

Next week, Sirius/XM will be running our production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL (2004) and THE COLONIAL RADIO CHRISTMAS SPECIAL (2008). I'll post the times as soon as I know them.

These shows will also play in Washington DC on WAMU - NPR 88.5 Not sure when they air, but here is a link for the schedule. WAMU

We had planned a new Christmas Special for this year, but we had two major productions that tied up our music dept. and we just couldn't do it. Next year for CERTAIN!!

BOSTON CHILDRENS HOSPITAL

My friend Jordan Rich of WBZ Radio is raising money for the Boston
Childrens Hospital, just as he does every year. For a $20.00 donation
he will send you a wonderful book of poetry, humor, and recipes called FOR THE CHILDREN - now in it's 10th edition!Trust me - you will really enjoy it, and all the proceeds go to the Childrens Hospital. You can also bid on SHERMAN! The biggest stuffed dog I've ever seen! The retail value is $140.00.

Starting bid $200.00. All proceeds benefit Children's Hospital Boston.
Jordan has done a lot to help the Colonial Radio Theatre over the years
- come on CRT fans and players - let's help Jordan this Christmas
season! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

THE JORDAN RICH SHOW

Keeping Busy!

Well, lets see, since November I finished a new script, called PROJECT X. No, that's not the title, but we are keeping it under wraps till we have it recorded. It's gonna be a good one, though!

Right now I am working on the script to Ray Bradbury's THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES. I am quite excited about this one - being able to work with Mr. Bradbury again is wonderful, and I love dramatizing his works. This is my second Bradbury script (The first being THE HALLOWEEN TREE) and I can promise you that CHRONICLES will sound unlike any other CRT show to date.

BUCK ALICE, our production with Walter Koenig (based on his book) is coming together nicely! I LOVE THIS SHOW! Walter is a gifted writer with a sharp wit. It is a black comedy, very funny, yet will make you think in the long run .... there is an underlying element of truth with the characters in this story.

Our new series, TICONDEROGA just started playing on Sirius/XM! 24 episodes total!

Finally, Colonial Radio Theatre has left Blackstone Audio; and they will no longer carry our titles (Except Dandelion Wine, Something Wicked This Way Comes, The Halloween Tree, which are co-produced with Blackstone); so you can find some great close out deals out there on our CD's!

This will not be the end of the CRT CD releases - not by a long shot. We will be back with another publisher in the Spring, with more retail locations than ever before and download sites! Our previously released titles will be re-issued in the fall of 2010. More on this later.

Right now, I need to return to Mars for some more writing!

CRT star J.T. TURNER in A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Longtime CRT Player J.T. Turner (who played Scrooge in CRT's 2004 Radio Production) will be starring LIVE ON STAGE as Charles Dickens in this solo performance of A Christmas Carol. Dickens was well know for his public presentations of his famous Holiday work, and J.T. recreates the experience, portraying all the characters as he brings the work to life before your eyes.

Make this play part of your holiday tradition! Now in it's 13th year! Please support live theater!

A Christmas Carol, December 16-19 at 7:30pm, and December 20th at 2:30pm. Tickets $18 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under and seniors.Group discounts availabe for groups of 10 or more.

To Reserve Tickets, please call 508-942-9938

GLOUCESTER STAGE
267 EAST MAIN ST.
GLOUCESTER, MA, 01930

WHAT'S UP?

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving holiday. Just finished writing a script for an upcoming production, and now I am starting to write the script for Ray Bradbury's THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES. It's a very exciting project, and as a script writer, quite challenging; especially since we need to record it no later than February so we can get it into post production to meet the release deadline.

BUCK ALICE AND THE ACTOR ROBOT, our production with Walter Koenig, is going to be a blast. Jeff Gage has started the music score and we should see some scenes tracked by the end of the week. CHRIS SNYDER is back in full force at CRT, and he has joined MJ COGBURN with the editing of the production. We expect to have the production finished no later than February.

Have you checked our our newest release, HOODIE? It's a 10min short subject starring the kids who record with CRT. It's a lot of fun, and for a short time it's a free download over at our Lulu.Com store.

SETH ADAM SHER continues to work on TICONDEROGA, our epic 24 episode series set during the French and Indian War. He is on schedule and going great guns (no pun intended), and the project should wrap on time in early February. Episode 1 goes on the air Friday, Dec. 4th on Sirius/XM!

DIBBLE will be returning in an all new special, DIBBLE GOES TO FLORIDA! Not sure when it will be out, but we are hoping for late Spring. It has been recorded and awaits editing.

We had hoped to do a new Christmas Special for our Sirius/XM show this year, but we were very busy with other productions that were getting a little backed up. So, this year we will be repeating our 2008 CRT CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, with my guests J.T. Turner, Diane Capen, and the kids from JERRY AND THE PIRATES, Rob Cattell, Connor Doherty, and Ricky MacDonald. It's a fun 1 hour special, so hope you tune in! It will also be available on Lulu.Com I PROMISE next year we will have an all new special (In fact, I wrote it already! We really tried getting it done this year. See, in order to get it on the air in December and get the music done, we need to record in July!).

That's all for now! Time to get back to work.

IF YOU'RE IN FLORIDA ....

I spoke with William Luce tonight, and he told me that BURT REYNOLDS will be doing a staged reading of BARRYMORE in Florida the first week in December. Burt is one of the last true Hollywood icons. I hear the three day run has sold out, but there will be more shows in 2010. It's a great play, and I would LOVE to see Burt in it!! Wishing him all the best for a smash hit fundraiser!!