July 11, 2024 FGC Alumni Reuniting on Stage for “The 1940’s Radio Hour” Share Share this post Twitter Facebook eMail Copy URL Copy LAKE CITY, Fla. – Florida Gateway College alumni spanning five decades of FGC Theatre history are coming together for two live performances of “The 1940’s Radio Hour” on Friday, July 26, and Saturday, July 27, 2024. Originally debuting on Broadway in 1979, the musical by Walton Jones features popular songs of the 1940’s and tells the story of a New York radio station’s final holiday broadcast of the “Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade” in December 1942. The show follows the station’s producer, performers, crew, and more as they record the broadcast for American soldiers abroad in World War II. “It has been an incredible experience re-staging ‘The 1940’s Radio Hour’ after over 40 years,” said Pat Gagliano, 1983 FGC graduate and co-director of the show. “It was the right show for our reunion because we had cast members who wanted to play on the same stage we did decades ago. And thanks to the support from FGC, this show is a treat for all involved.” “The 1940’s Radio Hour” first hit the stage of FGC (then Lake City Community College) in 1983 under the direction of Dr. Paul Ferguson, then Director of Theatre at LCCC. Featuring a cast and crew including FGC alumni from as far back as the 1970’s, the production will be a celebration of the history and legacy of Florida Gateway College Performing Arts. “After a five-year hiatus from producing musicals at FGC, I am so happy to have the privilege of producing the first musical in which I ever performed,” said producer Crystal Janasiewicz. “Life has come full circle. A special thank you to our leadership, (FGC President) Dr. Barrett and (Dean) Kacey Mimbs for their support with this endeavor.” The 1940’s Radio HourFriday, July 26, 2024Saturday, July 27, 2024Doors open at 6:30 p.m. / Show at 7:30 p.m.Levy Performing Arts Center Tickets now available at fgc.thundertix.comAdults: $10Kids & Seniors: $5 About the cast and crew: Dr. Paul Ferguson (Consulting Director) – Originally directed “The 1940’s Radio Hour” — written by his friend and former classmate Walt Jones — in Fall 1983 at Florida Gateway College (then Lake City Community College). Director of Theatre at FGC (LCCC) 1980-84 & 1985-86. Other FGC (LCCC) directing credits include “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” “Grease,” “The Taming of the Shrew,” “The Country of the Blind,” “Tickets, Please,” and “A Poetics for Bullies.” John Raymaker (Clemens “Pops” Bailey) – 1985 Columbia High graduate. FGC (LCCC) productions: 1982 “First Confession,” 1983 “Who Am I This Time,” 1982 “Grease,” and 1983 “The 1940’s Radio Hour.” Tim Martin (Stanley Cooper) – 1981 Columbia High graduate; Dual-enrolled FGC (LCCC) student appearing in 1980 in “A Child’s Christmas in Wales.” Bob Gerard (Clifton Feddington/Co-Director) – FGC (LCCC) alum. Acting credits at FGC (LCCC) include: 1980 “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” 1981 “The Taming of the Shrew,” 1983 “The 1940’s Radio Hour.” He has directed over a dozen shows at FGC/LCCC including “Oliver,” “Peter Pan,” “Oklahoma!,” “A Few Good Men,” “Dracula,” “Annie,” “Godspell,” “The Crucible,” and “Guys and Dolls.” Deborah Thomas Sickmon (Willa Fergusson/Choreographer) – 1983 Columbia High graduate; FGC (LCCC) productions: 1977 “Oliver,” 1983 “Who Am I This Time?” (Asst. Director). Pat Gagliano (Johnny Cantone/Co-Director) – 1980 Columbia High graduate. 1983 FGC (LCCC) graduate. FGC directing credits 1982 “First Confession,” 1983 “Who Am I This Time.” FGC acting credits 1980-83 include in “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” “Grease,” “The Taming of the Shrew,” “The Country of the Blind,” “Tickets, Please,” and “A Poetics for Bullies.” Crystal Janasiewicz (Producer) – FGC (LCCC) alum. A strong supporter of FGC Theatre, Crystal has been involved in nearly two dozen productions with FGC/LCCC from 1999-2017. Her favorite stage credits include: “Dracula” (1999), “1940’s Radio Hour” (2000), and “A Few Good Men” (2000). Producing credits include: “Footloose” (2015), “Hairspray” (2016), “Into the Woods” (2017), and “Beauty and the Beast” (2017). Andrea (Powell) Ferguson (Ginger Brooks) – 1983 Columbia High graduate. FGC (LCCC) productions: 1981 “The Taming of the Shrew,” 1982 “Grease,” and 1983 “The 1940’s Radio Hour.” Sara Beth Gerard (Lou Cohn) – FGC/LCCC productions 2001-2008 include “Oklahoma!,” “Guys and Dolls,” “The Crucible,” “Peter Pan,” “Godspell,” and “The Music Man.” Eden Crews (Connie Miller) – 2024 Baker County Senior High School graduate; incoming first-year student at FGC. Rex Harrison (B.J. Gibson) – 2024 Baker County Senior High School graduate; dual enrollment student at FGC. Mark Bryant (Neal Tilden) – FGC (LCCC) alum, late 1980s. FGC (LCCC) credits: “Oklahoma!,” “The Sound of Music,” and “Bye Bye Birdie.” Karen White (Ann Collier) – 1980 Columbia High graduate. 1983 FGC (LCCC) graduate. FGC acting credits 1980-83 include in “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” “Grease,” “The Taming of the Shrew.” Cooper Sands (Biff Baker) – 2025 Baker County High School senior; dual-enrollment student at FGC. Dallas Norman (Frank Elwood – Boutinote) – High school student at Baker County High School; dual-enrollment student at FGC. FGC credit: 2024 “Peter and the Starcatcher.” Kelley Norman (Ellen Davis) – FGC (LCCC) productions 1976-1983 include “Grease” and “The Taming of the Shrew.” Purchase tickets online at fgc.thundertix.com. For more information on this and other upcoming events in FGC Campus Vibes: Arts & Music Showcase, visit www.fgc.edu/vibes. ### Previous Article Next Article
