The cast of The 1940’s Radio Hour bows to a standing ovation on opening night when Music Director Lorie Gruneisen and Orchestra Leader Jack Kelley took center stage. Tickets are available for three more performances on July 19 at 7 p.m. and July 20 and 21 at 3:30 p.m. (Photo by Ruth McWilliams)

COLTON -- On Thursday the two-part Radio Hour show opened in Colton to an enthusiastic and appreciative audience not deterred by summer storms that passed through the area.

Local stories about World War II and the 1940s led up to a wonderful performance by the cast of The 1940’s Radio Hour.

Karen Wells and Lorie Gruneisen teamed up to bring Walton Jones’ creation to life on stage at Colton-Pierrepont Central School through a talented cast and band of area pros and community performers.

Jack Kelley, as Orchestra Leader, led the on-stage band, which accompanied a series of musical numbers by vocalists including Bruce Hanson, Lisa Bondellio Reynolds and Hilary Weissbard.

Michael Terrell kept the show moving as the announcer and general manager of the radio station.

The directors along with the casts, band and crew all hope to encounter standing room only crowds every night.

Radio Hour will be presented three more times on stage at the Colton-Pierrepont Central School Auditorium—July 19 at 7 p.m. plus July 20 and 21 at 3:30 p.m. General admission is $10 per ticket and student tickets are $5 each. All shows are open seating.

Tickets are available at the door before each show. They also can be purchased in advance at four outlets: Northern Music and Video, 29 Market Street in Potsdam; The TAUNY Center, 53 Main Street, Canton; Colton Information Center at Stone Valley, 95 Main Street in the hamlet of Colton (the Museum); and Raquette River Information Center on State Highway 56 in the hamlet of South Colton across from the Post Office.