Audiences at The Playhouse were treated to a "Variety Cavalcade" last weekend.

Clifton A. Feddington and Saul Lebowitz presented a live broadcast from the Hotel Astor's Algonquin Room. It wasn't really 1942, though, and it was really a talented cast from the Washington Little Theater Company performing in The 1940s Radio Hour.

Director Libby Foster is clearly a brave, as well as a skilled person to tackle this complex production, and she has pulled it off. Of course, it helps that she had Nora Dukes directing the music and Ryan Dukes directing the band. Also, she had polished performer Billy Creel willing to step in on short notice and become a busy Clifton, who is rather desperately managing the radio hour.

The whole thing looks chaotic, but it's supposed to. After a slow start, the appreciative audience is caught up in the adventures of this "live broadcast." Sarah Peacock and Nora Dukes are the lead female singers who perform solo numbers with panache, while providing comedy and participating in the wonderful parodies of singing commercials.

Greg Colvard sings beautifully while slowly falling apart in a convincing drunk act. Tony Macchia also sings and tries to help Greg's character remain upright and at the microphone on time. Emma Collins and April Shelton add their lovely voices to the mix, gracing the stage with youth and beauty.

Meanwhile, Kenny Sifre as Lou Cohn is trying to get singers into position and capably working the onstage sound effects.

Coming to the rescue late in rehearsals were Brian Baldwin, always there for the Little Theater, and Zachary Ansley from Augusta State College. The "bit players" Phil Rothman, John Dunfee, and Matt Boiter completed the ensemble of actors.

Vital to the performance were members of the Zoot Doubleman Orchestra, coming to us from Athens. This reviewer is overwhelmed just thinking about coordinating all that, not to mention the hard work and good results from stage management, set construction, lights, and sound.

And the songs! They were a nostalgia trip for some of us and fun for all. "Kalamazoo," "Daddy," "Our Love Is Here to Stay," "That Old Black Magic," "Ain't She Sweet," and many more. We will not soon forget Sarah Peacock and "Blues in the Night."

The Washington Little Theater tradition of success lives on!