Episode 203 – Chatterbox’s Snowglobe Revealed

Chatterbox Christmas Radio DramaIn the second part of Chatterbox Audio Theater’s original work called “Snow Globe” we learn the meaning of a seemingly mystical experience – and we explore the way all of us try to make sense of the past and find new meaning.

This is a holiday fable for adults, about the stresses the holidays put us under and our desperate desire to find magic and meaning in this time of year. Penned by Bob Arnold and wonderfully produced.

Part 2 of 2

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Radio Drama Revival – Episode 203

Episode 202 – Chatterbox Stories Under the Snowglobe

Chatterbox Christmas Radio DramaSeasonal programming begins again on the show with an unconventional Christmas story by Chatterbox Audio Theater, called “Snow Globe.”

This is a holiday fable for adults, about the stresses the holidays put us under and our desperate desire to find magic and meaning in this time of year. Penned by Bob Arnold and wonderfully produced.

Part 1 of 2

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Radio Drama Revival – Episode 202

Episode 196 – Chatterbox’s Dark Rendition of Pinocchio

Chatterbox Theater Pinocchio Audio DramaYou may recall (and how could you forget?) Chatterbox’s award-winning mini series The Dead Girl, which we played back in . That series won a well-deserved Ogle, in no small part due to the taut and suspenseful writing of writer-in-residence Kyle Hatley.

So it’s with great pleasure I get to bring something new by Chatterbox and penned by Hatley onto the show… it’s Pinocchio! Oh, but cute little noses and brightly colored boys are nowhere to be found in this dark tale.

Just in time for Halloween, our trip of Transcontinental Terror brings us to Memphis, Tennessee. Enjoy!

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Radio Drama Revival – Episode 196

Episode 164 – Chatterbox Takes us to the Homestead

Homestead - Audio DramaWhat can I say? I love Chatterbox’s audio work because they keep putting out challenging, interesting, original stuff. I recently listened to their show “Homestead” and it was show arresting I knew I had to feature it on the show.

Meet three adult children as they return to their childhood home for the last time. Memories bubble up to the surface, and once all of them have been acknowledged, their relationship will be changed. Forever.

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Radio Drama Revival – Episode 164

Episode 154 – Chatterbox Tells a Story of Those Dead and Gone

James Joyce Audio DramaThe writing of James Joyce is as much known for how challenging it is to decipher as for its portraits of humanity in a difficult world. Its hard enough to find audiobooks of his work (could you imagine a single-voiced reading of Ulysses?), and it seems that most audio dramatists have steered clear.

Not so for Chatterbox Audio Theater, who bring us a profoundly moving story of people reflecting on the simple challenges of life. The story, Dead and Gone, is based on James Joyce’s story of The Dead – but the setting, rather than Ireland, is the American South.

I gushed about this inspired retelling in a review a few months ago – now, enjoy the audio.

Ah, but first! A special treat – the Drabblecast audio fiction podcast reveals to us how close Santa Claus came to the edge – and who really saved Christmas.

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Radio Drama Revival – Episode 154

Fred’s Fuze: Chatterbox Gets Dead and Gone

Sansa FuzeTitle: Dead and Gone
Author: Adaptation of James Joyce
Producer: Chatterbox Audio Theater
Type: Audio Drama
Genre: Drama
Availability: Forthcoming download

My Two Cents: If you’re a loyal listener to the show, you’ve heard me rave about the Chatterbox Audio Theater, a Memphis-based audio theater group who have brought us excellent adaptations (Kafka’s In the Penal Colony) as well as stunning originals (The Dead Girl, anyone?). Their latest, “Dead and Gone,” does not disappoint.

“Dead and Gone” is a Southern retelling of the James Joyce tale, “The Dead.” Yes, you heard me right.

Not only does Chatterbox have the guts to take on James Joyce, but they transpose wintry and gloomy Dublin with Memphis. F–in brilliant! The adaptation is right-on, from the transposition of an ill-fated love from Galway to New Orleans, to the accusation of misplaced loyalties from “West Briton” to “Scallywag.”

Good, good, good.

My hat also goes off to the great cast of Chatterboxers, who put umph and vitality into every ounce of their performances. The production is serious drama, and while the sound effects and music are understated, they fit this terse and introspective story well.

As far as listening to this fabulous production? It’s not available for public consumption from Chatterbox’s website just yet. I caught one of their notices to hear it live on WKNO in Memphis. The next opportunity is Sunday, August 16 on KUNM-FM, 6PM MDT (8PM for us in the East). Here’s the live listen link: http://kunm.org/listen/. If you miss the live event, you’ll be able to hear it from Chatterbox’s website, eventually.

Serious drama in audio is about as hard as it gets. But Chatterbox pulls it off with the hardest artist there is, and in spades. Bravo!