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Rosemary’s Rabbit, Nerd Camp 2.0, and The Free State Theatre Organ Society

A radio adaptation of Ron Tanner’s short story, “Rosemary’s Rabbit”; Elissa Brent Weissman’s book, Nerd Camp 2.0; and a visit with the Free State Theatre Organ Society

  We’re pleased to present an original radio adaptation of a story by Baltimore writer Ron Tanner.  Tanner has won numerous awards for his work, he’s published several books, and he is by all accounts a successful writer.  He’s also a man with an open mind and a generous spirit, and as such, he’s entrusted one of his favorite works to the sonic mutations of Signal producer Aaron Henkin.  Sometimes, it’s better not to know exactly what you’re getting into, so let’s just say:  You’re about to hear the story of a rabbit - Rosemary’s Rabbit.

  In  Elissa Brent Weissman’s book, Nerd Camp 2.0, a pair of young step brothers –one a cool, California skateboarder and the other a brainy, self- described “nerd,” discover that their two very different sleep away camps will be forced to share common grounds for the summer. While the prospect sounds like a recipe for disaster, the boys learn that when it comes to the important things in life, they might have a few things in common after all. The author joins Signal producer Lisa Morgan for a conversation.

nerdcamp.mp3
Elissa Brent Weissman discusses her book, "Nerd Camp 2.0"

Buddy Boyd stands behind the Wurlitzer he's been working to restore at Rice Auditorium in Catonsville, MD.

  The term “silent movie” is a little deceptive.  It’s true that up until the late 1920s, those grainy old black-and-white films showed dialogue-placards in place of actors talking, but if you were to go a theatre and see one of those movies back in the day, the experience would have been far from silent.  In this story, producer Aaron Henkin brings us along to Rice Auditorium on the campus of the Spring Grove Hospital Center, where a vintage Wurlitzer organ graces the stage.  We find Buddy Boyd sitting at the organ console.  He’s the president (and chief tinkerer) of the Free StateTheatreOrgan Society.  

theatreorgan.mp3
A visit with Buddy Boyd of the Free State Theatre Organ Society

Aaron creates and produces original radio programs and podcasts for WYPR. His current project is The Maryland Curiosity Bureau. Aaron's neighborhood documentary series, Out of the Blocks, earned the 2018 national Edward R Murrow Award. His past work includes the long-running weekly cultural program, The Signal, and the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings series, Tapestry of the Times. Aaron's stories have aired nationally on NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered.