The spirit of old-time radio is alive and well in Oxford thanks to a group of aspiring young thespians from the middle school.
Members of the OMS Drama Club are bringing to life an episode of the Lone Ranger radio series that ran from 1933-54 and originated from WXYZ in Detroit.
Their performance of ‘A Doctor’s Story? will be filmed at the Oxford Community Television (OCTV) station May 28 and aired multiple times each week from June 9 through the second annual Lone Ranger parade Aug. 2.
It will air at various times between 1 and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and at random times on weekends. OCTV is Channel 191 for Charter cable subscribers and Channel 99 for AT&T U-verse customers.
The Lone Ranger program will also be available for viewing on OCTV’s Facebook and YouTube pages as well as the station’s website www.occtv.org
According to Drama Club Advisor Jack Gray, the students are ‘excited? and ‘enthusiastic? about the project.
‘They’ve really enjoyed being part of the town’s legacy,? he said.
From 1942 until his death in 1965, Oxford was home to Brace Beemer, the radio actor who lent his deep, booming voice to the Lone Ranger character. He portrayed the iconic masked lawman from 1941-54.
Oxford resident Melissa Morrison led the charge to bring this classic radio drama to the airwaves of public access television.
‘I think it’s a perfect tribute to Brace and Leta Beemer,? said Morrison, who’s helping organize this year’s Lone Ranger festivities and lives in the Beemers? old house on W. Drahner Rd.
Leta, Beemer’s wife, was actively involved with helping school theater programs whenever she could.
‘She devoted a lot of her time to drama and children,? Morrison said. ‘She really had a love for the arts and for the kids. Brace did, too, but she did more with the schools.?
Morrison selected ‘A Doctor’s Story? for the performance in order to get female students involved.
‘The majority of the kids in the drama club are girls and I was trying to find something that had at least a couple girl parts,? she said.
Just like they did back in the golden days of radio, this production of ‘A Doctor’s Story? will include live sound effects created in the studio by the students and commercials featuring the show’s actors.
The commercials are for the show’s three local sponsors ? OC Photoworx, Downtown Salon and Covered Wagon Saddlery.
Gray said they tried to ‘honor the traditions? of old-time radio as much as possible in order to create the ‘same feel.?
‘The style of acting back then was very different. It was kind of over-the-top,? he said. ‘We really tried to emulate that, especially in the commercials. They’re really going big in the commercials.?
Jacob Donovan is playing the Lone Ranger, while Kieran Clark is portraying his faithful Indian companion, Tonto.
The rest of the cast consists of Natalie Karnegis, Georgia Waters, Anne Cobble, Rebecca Sewell, Joe Wilkins, Gabby Gadoua, Isabelle Abraham, Abby Smiles, Kierra Houston, Sierra Langegger and Amanda Holcomb.
Morrison is very pleased with the students? level of talent and their commitment to the production.
‘They’ve done awesome,? she said. ‘The kids have put a lot of time into this. They gave up their personal time to do this.?
She also couldn’t say enough good things about Gray. ‘I just want to emphasize how great Mr. Gray is with these kids,? Morrison said. ‘I couldn’t have found a better partner for doing this.?