The Hairy Ape
Bay Area Radio Drama, 1989 Executive Producer:
Eric BauersfeldDirector:
Jose Quintero Sound Design: Randy Thom
Artistic Director: Travis Bogard
Technical Assistance: Jim McKee
Yank - George
Dzundza Paddy - Eric Christmas Long - Christopher Grove Mildred - Deborah May
Aunt - Mercedes Shirley Engineer - Steve Barr Secretary - Bill Wanton Frank - Larry Drake
Scene I (00:00)
Scene II
(19:38)
Scene III
(27:50)
Scene IV
(34:23)
Scene V
(45:26)
Scene VI
(56:27)
Scene VII
(1:06:18)
Scene VIII
(1:17:42)
The Hairy Ape entirely lives up to expectations and despite the
strict parameters of radio drama (or perhaps because of them) it is the
most haunting and lucid presentation of this work ever achieved.
Designer Randy Thom, has miraculously produced O'Neill's desired "brazen
metallic quality" in the actor's throats. It is the audiophonic style
that lifts it from the dreary level of operatic realism to which it so
often sinks on the stage. Quintero has stylized the ship's crew in such
a way that they seem to be reverberations of Yank's sensibility.
The greatest compliment to a radio play is an overwhelming desire to
visualize it. Not because the radio interpretation is lacking but
precisely because it is so compelling. It is like a séance that
successfully makes contact with the spirit of Eugene O'Neill.
