Let’s go back in time. The year is 1944, and while not necessarily a simpler time, it certainly was different. This is the year in which our next play, Chaps: A Jingle Jangle Christmas is set, and to get us in the mood I thought a little time travel would be good. Unfortunately, both my time machine and my TARDIS are in the shop, so we will take this journey through a few well chosen words.

Radio is the way that the general masses receive their nightly entertainment. They listen to Judy Garland, who is starring in Meet Me In St. Louis on Broadway, and Bing Crosby and The Andrew Sisters, who top the charts with Don’t Fence Me In. Glen Miller, whose popularity would rival many of today’s popular music stars, is tragically lost when his plane disappears over the English Channel. Bob Hope is performing his annual radio broadcast for the American troops.

When it comes to the news riding the airwaves the talk is all about the Battle of Bulge, the Greek civil war that has broken out, Eisenhower receiving his fifth star, and kamikaze attacks on US ships in the pacific. For those that are only interested in sports, the Green Bay Packers have won the NFL championship.

During the evening hours when Father was reading the evening paper, Mother was darning some socks, and the children were playing the latest board game Chutes & Ladders, they could listen to The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet. If that wasn’t your cup of tea there was also The Benny Goodman Show, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, The Lone Ranger, and Texaco Star Theatre, just to name a few.

If you did want to go out for the evening, and could afford a car, gas was 21 cents a gallon. Want to take in a show? See Judy Garland on Broadway for about $10.00. Want to grab a bite afterwards? Plan on spending around $5.00, depending on where you go. But remember the average yearly income is only $2,600, and the minimum wage is 30 cents per hour. Are you spending you pennies wisely, trying to save up for a new home? That will cost you about $8,600, and that brand new car you dream about will put you back approximately $1,200 dollars.

Now are you ready to travel back in time to England, 1944 for the holiday radio special featuring Tex Riley? Wait what do you mean he isn’t here yet? What are we going to do? Quick to the DeLorean, so we can help them with this conundrum.

Come and enjoy Chaps: A Jingle Jangle Christmas, starting December 13.