On The Air
CJLN ‘The Loon’ is the fourth most popular local radio station in Northlamburton county, and it has only one problem… no one is listening.
Station manager Alice Kerwin has her hands full dealing with the local arts council, insubordinate interns, and egotistical DJs – but she really has her work cut out for her when Matt, the former station manager’s son, returns to town with a plan to revitalize the station for the modern era… and change everything.
Will Matt be able to help Alice drag ‘The Loon’ kicking and screaming into the 21st century without losing what makes it a charming and quirky local broadcaster? Will Matt be able to reconcile with his estranged uncle Art, ‘The Loon’s’ biggest donor (and loudest DJ)? And will Matt and Alice finally admit they’ve had a crush on each other since high school?
On The Air is a comedy about family, ambition, rock and roll, and dreams pursued in the unlikeliest of places.
Staging Requirements
RUNTIME: 2 acts, 90 minutes.
CAST: 5 actors, 3 male roles, 2 female roles
ONE INTERIOR SET
Press
“Happily, this new comedy by first-time playwright Ephraim Ellis is funny, engaging, and refreshing, and the audience is glad to tune in! Ellis’ writing is clever… the characters are nuanced and believable, clearly defined right off the bat, and it feels like watching your favourite TV sitcom… The play’s contemporary setting is welcomed… so great to watch a play set in the current millennia!“
Sookie Mei, Entertain This Thought
“On The Air is live with laughs… trust me when I say you don’t want to miss this one.”
Kaitlyn Clark, The Haldimand Press
“Ellis has an ear for dialogue and sometimes lands some big-time laughs.”
Gary Smith, The Hamilton Spectator
“Ephraim Ellis really has written a funny, charming, and optimistic script. For a first-time playwright he really has done a spectacular job, and I’m sure this script is the first of many.”
Simon Joynes, Artistic Director, Port Stanley Festival Theatre
Production History
- Lighthouse Festival Theatre, July 2023 (World Premiere)
- Port Stanley Festival Theatre, August 2023
PHOTO CREDITS ON THIS PAGE:
Digital Script cover art by Jerusha Ellis
Lighthouse Festival 2023: Cast; Adrian Marchuk, Lisa Norton, Stephen Sparks, J.D. Leslie, and David Rosser. Set by Beckie Morris. Lights by Kevin Fraser. Directed by Jane Spence.
Port Stanley Festival 2023: Cast; Mark McGrinder, Caitlyn Driscoll, Scott Maudsley, Alex Vautour, and Jeff Cuthbert. Set by Eric Bunnell. Lights by Karen Crighton. Directed by Simon Joynes. All photos by Shutter Studios.