"A totally exhilarating hour of singing, dancing, and funny commercials" is how the New York Daily News characterized "The 1940s Radio Hour," the Washington Little Theater Company's next production.

The musical will open Thursday night, March 30, at 8 p.m., and will be presented the following Friday and Saturday nights, March 31 and April 1, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday afternoon, April 2, at 3 p.m. All performances will be at The Playhouse on North Alexander Avenue in Washington. Reservations may be made by calling 706-678-9582.

A different time is evoked in this show which was a live broadcast of The Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade from the Hotel Astor's Algonquin Room on December 21, 1942. The spirit of that bygone era is caught in these familiar songs and these situations: a producer coping with a drunk lead singer; a delivery boy who wants a chance in front of the mike; a trumpet-playing soundeffects man who chooses a fighter plane over Glenn Miller.

With a gifted cast, splendid singers, a professional jazz band, and nearly 20 popular songs, the evening, according to Director Libby Foster, will be a pleasure to young and old.

This sentiment is echoed by Alvin Klein in The New York Times. He wrote: "The 1940s Radio Hour is an affectionate and authentic nostalgia trip."

To make that trip, call 706-6789582. "Musicals are crowd-pleasers, so don't delay," urges Foster.