Radio Play Revival
Radio Play Revival features great American actors performing great American works of literature. Performed by both established and new-and-emerging performers, musicians, and writers, Radio Play Revival pays homage to the golden age of radio, in the now-second golden age of audio.
Radio Play Revival has an ensemble repertory cast of performers featuring Christopher Walken, Laura Benanti, Patti LuPone, Anderson Cooper, Laurence Fishburne, Jefferson Mays, Jessica Chastain, Samuel L. Jackson, Michelle Williams and many more.
1
S. 3, Ep. 9: Cathedral by Raymond Carver
Connecticut, 1983: In a strained marriage, a narrow-minded, prejudiced man- and his wife- host the wife’s former coworker for the night. Their guest is a blind man, and that’s the last person in the world this man wants to host... until the blind man opens the sighted man’s eyes for the first time in his life.
42 min
2
S. 3, Ep. 8: A Bush League Hero by Edna Ferber
The Midwest, 1912: Ivy Keller is on summer vacation and bored limp. Until her father takes her to a baseball game. What ensues is a love triangle between Ivy’s father wanting the best for her, the star baseball pitcher and Ivy, and Ivy’s love of the game.
21 min
3
S. 3, Ep. 7: The Swimmer by John Cheever
The Suburbs, 1964: Neddy Merrill is lounging poolside at a friend’s party, gin in hand, when a genius thought materializes in his mind. He’s going to swim home! His ensuing pilgrimage across the familiar neighborhood swimming pools- a symbol of everything right in his life- leads him back to his own house, where everything has gone so wrong.
33 min
4
S. 3, Ep. 6: Bartleby, The Scrivener: A Story o...
New York City, 1853: An elderly lawyer reflects on an employee he had thirty years prior, and the havoc that his passive resistance inflicted upon everyone around him.
51 min
5
S. 3, Ep. 5: Bodies in the Moonlight by Langsto...
The West African Coast, 1927: With their ship stuck in port for over a month, half the crew sick with fever, and food running low, two best friends fall for the same woman.
18 min
6
S. 3, Ep. 4: The Enchanted Bluff by Willa Cather
Nebraska, 1909: Six friends enjoy the final night of their final summer together under the stars and the moon, in this coming-of-age tale about friendship, innocence, and adventure.
24 min
7
S. 3, Ep. 3: Hills Like White Elephants by Erne...
Spain, 1927: While waiting for a train, a young couple passes the time with drinks and observations, discussing everything they can think of before they must finally have the conversation they’ve been dreading.
13 min
8
S. 3, Ep. 2: Mr. Higginbotham's Catastrophe by ...
New England, 1834: Mr. Higginbotham was murdered last night in Kimballton. Or was it the night before last? Two travelers on the road tell our protagonist, Dominicus Pike, differing stories of Mr. Higginbotham’s murder. But everyone else Dominicus meets on his journey to Kimballton says they’ve seen Old Man Higginbotham alive today. Can you solve the mystery before the end of this horror-comedy?
30 min
9
S. 3, Ep. 1: A Worn Path by Eudora Welty
Mississippi, Christmas Day: Never get in the way of a grandparent. Old Phoenix Jackson makes her way through the woods, in search of medicine for her grandson. On her familiar journey, she faces new obstacles, friends and foes, and an ever-changing world.
26 min
10
S. 2, Ep. 8: The Bee Play by Elizabeth Savage (...
The Bronx, 2016. 18-year-old Carver Washington wrestles between going off to college and pursuing his dreams, and staying at home to take care of his kid sister Paris and his wheelchair-bound Grandmother, Ma’Dear.
65 min
11
S. 2, Ep. 7: Bernice Bobs Her Hair by F. Scott ...
Minnesota, The Roaring ‘20s: Popularity is everything to teenagers, and some will stop at nothing to keep their place at the top of the food chain, in this “Mean Girls of The Jazz Age”.
53 min
12
S. 2, Ep. 6: The Last Taste of Barry Growler by...
Chicago, recently: In defiance of his grim diagnosis, a beloved wine shop owner throws an epic party, opening his rarest bottles for his favorite customers. But none of them are fully prepared for the complexity, body, and depth of what is about to pour forth.
26 min
13
S. 2, Ep. 5: Where Are You Going, Where Have Yo...
America, 1966: Connie is fifteen- so the only two things in the world she cares about are her friends and flirting with boys. Her summer vacation passes by in a haze of those boys, those friends, and the ever-present music... until she meets a stranger named Friend.
43 min
14
S. 2, Ep. 4: The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar A...
Italy, The Carnival Season: A man can only take so much. When Fortunato insults Montresor, Montresor concocts a plan to ensure Fortunato never insults again. Far away from the sounds of celebration on the streets, the two men descend into the dampness of the catacombs below, in search of a rare vintage of wine.
20 min
15
S. 2, Ep. 3: The Comet by W.E.B. Du Bois
New York City, 1920: With the exciting news of the comet passing so close to earth, everyone in Manhattan steps outside to observe its passing overhead… and that, it turns out, would be the last thing they all would ever do.
37 min
16
S. 2, Ep. 2: The Most Dangerous Game by Richard...
The Caribbean Sea, 1924: After falling off a yacht while en-route to South America, big game hunter Sanger Rainsford swims to a nearby island, where he is met and cared for by another big game hunter… only this man hunts a different type of big game.
57 min
17
S. 2, Ep. 1: Christmas, or The Good Fairy by Ha...
Anywhere, Christmastime: Well-off Ellen Stuart frets about what presents to get her family and friends for Christmas that they don’t already have or won’t just throw away. Her Aunt’s wise words open Ellen’s eyes to the world around her, and how others as close as across the street may not have the same luxuries as she does. A short story nearly 200 years old, a message that is timeless.
18 min
18
S. 1, Ep. 8: Bachelor Holiday by Alan Ball
New York City, the 1990s: A mouse, caught in a glue trap, causes three roommates to discuss the meaning of life, death, yuppiedom, karma, and the harsh reality of their place on the food chain.
42 min
19
S. 1, Ep. 7: Titee by Alice Moore Dunbar-Nelson
New Orleans, 1895: Titee is a brilliant young boy, but his mind isn't on school or home. His mother, teacher, and friends wonder what goes on in Titee's mind, but when Titee gets caught out in a storm, his family must find him and uncover his secret.
18 min
20
S. 1, Ep. 6: Xingu by Edith Wharton
Hillbridge, 1916: The ladies of the local lunch club have invited the celebrated novelist of their latest read to be their guest. However, their own internal competition and inferiority complexes send the meticulously planned afternoon of literary discussion wildly off the rails.
48 min
21
S. 1, Ep. 5: The Red Coat & Let Us Go Out Into ...
Two actors, two plays, one playwright. In the first: The Bronx, present night: Outside of a party, the moon and a street light shine down upon two teenagers on the brink of discovery. In the second: A cafe, present day: She longs for meaningful connection with the man across the room. He longs to leave agony behind and find joy. She may be able to help.
22 min
22
S. 1, Ep. 4: The Californian's Tale by Mark Twain
California, the 1860s: It's the Wild West and the gold has dried up; only a few naive souls remain. A chance encounter between strangers leads to more than just friendly salutations.
22 min
23
S. 1, Ep. 3: The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte ...
The country, summertime: Physician John thinks the fresh air will help his ailing wife. He tells her not to write, so, naturally she documents everything about the estate: the garden, the house's history, her husband... and the bedroom wallpaper.
41 min
24
S. 1, Ep. 2: An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge ...
Northern Alabama, The Civil War: A Confederate farmer stands on a bridge, a noose around his neck. He contemplates his life, and the choices that led him to this moment. What follows is his breakneck escape from an impossible situation.
28 min
25
S. 1, Ep. 1: The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
New York City, Christmas Eve: Della has less than two dollars with which to buy her husband Jim a Christmas present. In a story known the world over, listen to the lengths a husband and wife will go to show their love for each other.
15 min