NO SOAP RADIO – Jack Benny, the Finale that Never Was
Our 13th NO SOAP RADIO production is based on another original script written by Craig Shemin. When Jack Benny retired from radio in 1955, no farewell episode was ever produced. Craig has remedied that with our version in which Jack says goodbye to his radio audience. All the usual cast of characters make appearances, including Mary Livingston, Dennis Day, Phil Harris, Rochester, Don Wilson, Frank Nelson, Mel Blanc, The Sportsmen Quartet, Mr. Kitzel, and Sheldon Leonard. Also a number of guest stars appear including George Burns and Gracie Allen, and Fred Allen. The show was produced, directed and edited by Paul Kovit.
CAST:
JOHN BELL as JACK BENNY
ANNETTE BOCHENEK as MARY LIVINGSTONE
STEPHANIE D'ABRRUZZO as GRACIE ALLEN, SHELDON LEONARD and THE LUCKY STRIKE SINGER
ZACH EASTMAN as DENNIS DAY
VICTORIA GORDON as the CBS PAGE AND MABEL, THE SWITCHBOARD OPERATOR
LARRY GROEBE as FRED ALLEN and MR. KITZEL
ANDY HARTSON-BOWYER as PHIL HARRIS
JOHN HENDERSON as DON WILSON
ERIC JACOBSON as GEORGE BURNS
PAUL KOVIT as FRANK NELSON and MEL BLANC
LAURA MIRSKY as GERTRUDE THE SWITCHBOARD OPERATOR
PAUL PATTERSON as ROCHESTER
CRAIG SHEMIN as GENE TWOMBLY
THE SPORTSMEN QUARTET were played by PAUL KOVIT, PETE LUTZ, ANDY HARTSON-BOWYER, and MARK SAUNDERS