Atlanta Radio Theatre Company - Labyrinth

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold’s Old Time Radio

Episode: Atlanta Radio Theatre Company – Labyrinth
Date: March 19, 2026
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio

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Episode Overview

This episode of Harold’s Old Time Radio transports listeners to the world of radio theater with two performances from the Atlanta Radio Theatre Company’s "Into the Labyrinth" series. The focus is on the imaginative power of audio drama, presenting a humorous superhero Halloween skit ("Mildly Exciting Tales of Astonishment") and an eerily whimsical fantasy piece ("Nicky’s Place: The Collector"). Both stories play with genre conventions, blending comedy, suspense, and the supernatural, all performed live and vividly brought to life through voice acting and sound.

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1. Introduction to Radio Theater

[00:24–01:04]

• The Announcer sets the scene, highlighting one of radio theater’s unique strengths:
  "The sets, costumes and other visual elements are limited only by your imagination. Though sometimes that's not such a pleasant experience."
• Previews two pieces from the "Into the Labyrinth" collection, beginning with a comedic superhero adventure.

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2. "Mildly Exciting Tales of Astonishment"

[01:04–05:43]
A tongue-in-cheek homage to superhero comics and radio, featuring Odd Doc and Thundra of the Freedom 5 plus 1 as they "defend" their secret lair from a persistent Halloween threat.

Key Discussion Points & Plot

• Odd Doc and Thundra’s Dilemma:
  The heroes are under siege—not by supervillains, but by relentless waves of trick-or-treaters.
• Character Dynamics:
  • Odd Doc is dramatically weary ("I can't last much longer, Thundra. You may have to continue without me." [01:24])
  • Thundra is unyielding ("We cannot just give up. Not yet." [01:29])
• Parody and Humor:
  • Trick-or-treaters embody clever tropes: a "boy wizard not affiliated with a famous trademark," a "little girl nihilist" who claims, "They don't believe in Halloween" ([03:04]).
  • Odd Doc quips about his origins: "Strangely enough, I wasn't [a boy]. You see, I was the product of the unnatural union of a kumquat and a superpowered..." ([02:36])
• Child Villain:
  • A costumed child appears as "Lord Destructoronomous," delivering grandiose, villainous threats in a squeaky voice:
    "You face the most destructive power in the world!" ([04:14])
  • Thundra reassures: "When your voice changes, I am sure it will be very scary enough." ([04:25])
• Candy Currency:
  • The children demand king-sized candy bars, and Odd Doc cheerfully responds:
    "King sized, actually. We had a budgetary surplus that needed to be spent." ([04:58])
• Resolution:
  • Running low on candy and patience, the heroes turn out the lights to avoid further trick-or-treaters:
    "Quick, turn out all the lights. If they think no one's home, we won't get any more of the little mobs." ([05:15])

Memorable Quotes

• Odd Doc: "I should start turning them all into toads." ([02:22])
• Girl Nihilist: "Thank you too, Mr. Creepy Man. I like your evil Doug Henning costume." ([03:13])
• Thundra to Odd Doc: "That chocolate is the only thing allowing me to keep my sanity. When it runs out, I recommend vacating the premises." ([03:34])

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3. "Nicky’s Place: The Collector"

[05:43–14:38]
A fantasy tale featuring a mysterious hostess (Nikki), an enigmatic princess with a roomful of secrets, and two would-be thieves who discover that not everything is as it seems.

Key Discussion Points & Plot

• Atmosphere & Setting:
  • Nikki welcomes visitors into a house filled with oddities and hidden dangers.
  • The narrative sets a spooky yet playful tone:
    "I spent all day straightening the place, and I'd really hate to have to clean up any more blood." ([06:20])
• First Encounter:
  • Nikki introduces her basilisk, Hiss, and references the statuary as unfortunate past guests.
• The Heist:
  • Mike and his accomplice Jeffrey Brown pose as charity workers but are actually casing the joint, targeting Princess Langwidere's rumored jewelry collection.
  • Their observations:
    • The princess is described as ethereal, almost blending into the ornate, mirrored surroundings.
      "Regular snow queen. I'm looking at that bracelet she's wearing." ([09:46])
    • Surprise at the enormous "ruby" shaped like a skeleton key.
• The Collection Unveiled:
  • Langwidere shows them her collection of numbered display cases.
  • The thieves incapacitate her to steal the key, only to discover her "priceless collection is a bunch of wigs." ([11:57])
• Surreal Twist:
  • Langwidere, presumed unconscious, removes and swaps her own head for another, revealing she’s been wearing interchangeable heads from her collection.
  • Mike and his accomplice are horrified, realizing the trophies are previous victims.
    "She just pulled her head right off...She’d have to, wouldn’t she? To put the other one on." ([12:32–12:36])
  • Langwidere coldly assesses the thieves as replacements for her damaged collection:
    "Such nice bones. And the coloring is marvelous." ([13:03])
• Dark Humor and Denouement:
  • Nikki reappears:
    "Number eight's a redhead, you know. And I do so like...Well, at least the guards won't get blood stains in the rugs." ([14:00])

Memorable Quotes

• Nikki: "Oh, a bit of statuary on the lawn gives the place a little class, don’t you think?" ([05:56])
• Princess Langwidere: "Number 14 has the loveliest style of complexion. I'd look awful if the rest of me didn't match, wouldn't I?" ([12:49])
• Nikki: "Are you all right? You're not looking well at all. Would you like to lie down? ... That room still needs cleaning. It's kind of sticky in there." ([14:13])

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4. Credits and Wrap-Up

[14:38–15:43]

• The announcer invites listeners to explore more at www.artc.org and attend a live performance in Atlanta.
• Production and cast credits for both stories are detailed, highlighting writers, actors, and technical crew.
• Ends with the memorable line:
  "Remember, there is adventure in sound." ([15:38])

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Notable Sections & Timestamps

• [01:04] – Start of "Mildly Exciting Tales of Astonishment"
• [02:07] – Parody of "boy wizard" and copyright humor
• [03:04] – The "little girl nihilist"
• [04:14] – Child as "Lord Destructoronomous"
• [05:43] – Transition to "Nicky’s Place: The Collector"
• [06:20] – Nikki’s sinister hospitality
• [09:46] – The snow queen and ruby key revealed
• [11:57] – Realization: the collection is wigs
• [12:32–12:36] – Surreal reveal: head swapping
• [14:00–14:13] – Nikki’s closing commentary and dark wit
• [14:38] – Credits and further info

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Tone & Style

The episode is marked by playful parody, dark humor, and a flair for theatrical suspense—a celebration of classic radio drama’s capacity for imagination and surprise. The performances oscillate between camp, eerie whimsy, and clever wordplay, all underscored by immersive sound effects and music.

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For Further Exploration

• Visit www.artc.org for more Atlanta Radio Theatre Company productions and information on live performances.

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Transcript

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[Narrator/Announcer]

play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details. One of the strengths of Radio Theater is that the sets, costumes and other visual elements are limited only by your imagination. Though sometimes that's not such a pleasant experience. In celebration of All Hallows Eve this month we are proud to present two pieces from our into the Labyrinth series. First first up is an episode of Mildly Exciting Tales of Astonishment by Jonathan Strickland.

[Host of Mildly Exciting Tales]

Welcome, believers, to this week's terrifying episode of Mildly Exciting Tales of Astonishment. Today we join Odd Doc and Thundra of the Tundra, two members of that amazing superhero force, the Freedom 5 plus 1, as they guard their super secret headquarters, currently under siege.

[Odd Doc]

I can't last much longer, Thundra. You may have to continue without me.

[Thundra]

Don't even think it out, Doc. The team is counting on us. We cannot just give up. Not yet.

[Odd Doc]

I just had no idea there would be so many of them. Wave after wave of the little beasts. How are we supposed to manage?

[Thundra]

We just have to dig down deep and stick it out.

[Odd Doc]

But how much longer can we last? Thunder. They are relentless.

[Thundra]

Perhaps they have given up. Perhaps not.

[Odd Doc]

Fine. I'll take care of this one. Stand back.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Trick or treat.

[Odd Doc]

Hello, little boy. My, what a charming costume. What are you supposed to be exactly?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'm a boy wizard. In no way affiliated with a famous trademark character from a popular series of children's novels.

[Thundra]

Oh, he is so cute. Give him candy bar.

[Odd Doc]

Well, he doesn't look like any of the wizards I know, but. Oh, well. Here you go, young man. Now, what do you say? What do you say? Ungrateful brats. They never thank you, no matter what candy you give them. I should start turning them all into toads.

[Thundra]

Oh, come now. A duck. You were a boy once as well.

[Odd Doc]

Strangely enough, I wasn't. You see, I was the product of the unnatural union of a kumquat and a superpowered. I'll tell you later. One moment.

[Girl Nihilist]

Take a tweet. Smell my feet. Give me something good to eat.

[Thundra]

Young lady, a word of advice. Do not invite Odd Duck to smell your feet.

[Lord Destructoronomous]

No.

[Odd Doc]

In just one moment, little Girl, you don't seem to be wearing a costume. That outfit looks perfectly normal. What exactly are you supposed to be?

[Girl Nihilist]

I'm a nihilist. They don't believe in Halloween.

[Odd Doc]

Oh, I see. How very clever.

[Thundra]

Here you go, little girl. Here's candy bar.

[Girl Nihilist]

Thank you, lady. And thank you too, Mr. Creepy Man. I like your evil Doug Henning costume.

[Odd Doc]

I'm not wearing a costume.

[Thundra]

I hope that's the last of them. It's getting late. Children should not be out at this hour.

[Odd Doc]

And we're running a bit low on candy as well. Though that wouldn't be such a problem if you would quit eating all the chocolate.

[Thundra]

Watch it, mister. That chocolate is the only thing allowing me to keep my sanity. When it runs out, I recommend vacating the premises.

[Odd Doc]

Suggestion noted. That's your turn.

[Thundra]

By Rasputin's beard, this had better be

[Lord Destructoronomous]

the last of them quaking fear superheroes.

[Thundra]

Oh, how cute. Ah, Doc, look. A Lord Destructoronomous. Costume.

[Lord Destructoronomous]

Costume. You shall suffer for your insolence.

[Odd Doc]

Oh my goodness, young man, your mother has outdone herself.

[Lord Destructoronomous]

Leave my mother out of this.

[Thundra]

Well, Lord Destructomonymous, it's getting late. Let's finish this and send you on your way.

[Lord Destructoronomous]

You shall not stop me. Pathetic underlings. You face the most destructive power in the world.

[Odd Doc]

Oh, of course, the real Lord Destructeronus isn't quite so short.

[Lord Destructoronomous]

Short?

[Mike]

Yes.

[Thundra]

And this voice is more commanding. It invokes fear. But do not worry, young man. When your voice changes, I am sure it will be very scary enough.

[Lord Destructoronomous]

I will blast. I will blast you into oblivion and reduce this pathetic stronghold to rubble.

[Odd Doc]

Oh, no, no. You're going a bit too far, young man. Naughty boys don't get any candy bars.

[Girl Nihilist]

Fool.

[Lord Destructoronomous]

I am here to end your heroic lives. And

[Spinquest Announcer]

candy bars.

[Thundra]

Yes, we have candy bars, but only for good little boys and girls.

[Lord Destructoronomous]

Regular or bite sized?

[Odd Doc]

King sized, actually. We had a budgetary surplus that needed to be spent.

[Lord Destructoronomous]

King sized. Trick or treat, puny mortals.

[Thundra]

Oh, that's a good boy. Now you hurry home. Your mother is probably very worried about you.

[Odd Doc]

Oh. Quick, turn out all the lights. If they think no one's home, we won't get any more of the little mobs.

[Thundra]

Oh, good idea.

[Host of Mildly Exciting Tales]

Join us next week when we hear from destructronymus. Evil henchwoman Vroomhilda, you can't have anything

[Mike]

to eat until I have checked all the candy.

[Lord Destructoronomous]

No,

[Host of Mildly Exciting Tales]

that's next week on Mildly Exciting Tales of Astonishment.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Now that the trick or treaters have gone home, it's time to visit a special house. The kind of house that convinces you to cross the street rather than walk directly in front of it. Artsy presents Nicky's Place. The Collector.

[Nikki]

Hi there. Glad you could come. I'm Nikki. But you knew that already, didn't you? I mean, my name is on the mailbox. Oh, you didn't look at the mailbox. Oh, I see. Hiss, get down off that mailbox. I keep telling Hiss not to sit there, but he just doesn't listen. Basilisks can be so stubborn, you know. Oh, I'm sorry about your friend. Well, a bit of statuary on the lawn gives the place a little class, don't you think? Well, don't just stand there. Come on in. Oh, now, do be careful and don't trip over anything. I spent all day straightening the place, and I'd really hate to have to clean up any more blood. It seeps into the cracks, you know. And as for the rugs. Oh, here we are. You'll love this room.

[Mike]

Now.

[Nikki]

Isn't it beautiful? So bright and airy. That's Princess Langwidere playing the harpsichord. The decor was her idea. And she has company. Oh, her maid must have let them in. I didn't. If it isn't Susan and Mike. Oh, this is going to be fun.

[Mike]

Can you believe this place, Mike?

[Jeffrey Brown]

Yeah, we could make a fortune here if we had an army. No alarms and everything. Looks to be worth a mint. But ain't nothing smaller than I am that ain't bolted down.

[Mike]

I'll worry about that. Any woman this rich will have something shiny to wear. She calls herself a princess, so it's even more of a cinch. All we have to do is find out where she keeps it.

[Jeffrey Brown]

You'll figure it out. This phony charity thing is a neat way to case a joint.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Better than anything I ever thought of.

[Mike]

I don't doubt it. Oh, it's gorgeous in here. Mirrors everywhere, even on the ceiling.

[Jeffrey Brown]

The floor might as well be one, the way it's polished.

[Mike]

And the white marble walls with the sun shining on them through these stained glass windows. It's like being in the middle of a rainbow.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, like.

[Jeffrey Brown]

Like in a fairy tale or something.

[Princess Langwidere]

Oh, I have guests.

[Princess Langwidere (formal)]

How delightful.

[Jeffrey Brown]

What the. Was she playing that thing the whole time? I thought it was the stereo. How'd I miss her?

[Mike]

Suck in those eyeballs. Mike, this is business. Oh, excuse us, please. We didn't see you there.

[Princess Langwidere (formal)]

It's this number 17. It's marvelous for music and things, but people do overlook it. I am sorry.

[Mike]

Of course, it's quite all right. Are you Princess Langwidere?

[Princess Langwidere (formal)]

Why, yes, I am. How clever of you. And such a lovely face. The bone structure is marvelous. And your coloring is so.

[Mike]

Thank you, your highness. We represent an organization that collects objects that may not be important to their owners anymore, but are collectors.

[Princess Langwidere (formal)]

How nice. I suppose you've heard about my collection then? And you like to see it.

[Mike]

Why, yes. It's quite well known, you know. We didn't want to intrude, but we well known.

[Princess Langwidere]

How odd.

[Princess Langwidere (formal)]

No one ever comes to see it. I don't know why Mr. Baum could have been more complimentary, but still.

[Mike]

Well, we would consider it an honor if it wouldn't be any trouble. I mean, it's such short notice.

[Princess Langwidere (formal)]

No trouble. It's just up the hall. This way.

[Jeffrey Brown]

Nice save, boss. She sure wasn't listening. Enough for the sob story. Not too bright, I think. But man, what a looker. She could give even you a run for the money.

[Mike]

Hardly. She barely walks.

[Jeffrey Brown]

I don't mind. I could watch her walk all day.

[Mike]

Oh, she's all right, I guess. If you like platinum blondes. And that white dress. No wonder we didn't see her. She faded right into the marble. Regular snow queen. I'm looking at that bracelet she's wearing.

[Jeffrey Brown]

Yeah, real nice. How that red glass sets off her skin. Wait a minute. That ain't glass. That's a ruby.

[Mike]

That's what I thought when I first saw it. Can't be. Of course. Too big. Good crystal, though.

[Jeffrey Brown]

No, no, it's a ruby, all right. I know your brain. You know, my eye might be synthetic, but it ain't fake.

[Mike]

You've got to be wrong, Mike. A ruby that big on a charm bracelet shaped like a skeleton key, For

[Jeffrey Brown]

God's sake, it's a ruby. Even as cut up synthetics, I think

[Narrator/Announcer]

will pay for this caper all by itself.

[Mike]

But here we are.

[Princess Langwidere (formal)]

Please, come in.

[Jeffrey Brown]

Wow. A whole room full of wall safes.

[Mike]

And more mirrors.

[Princess Langwidere (formal)]

I'm sorry for the inconvenience. I don't like to leave leave them in the sun when I'm not wearing them. Is there anything particular you'd like to look at?

[Nikki]

No.

[Mike]

You know your collection far better than we do, I'm sure. What would you like to show us?

[Princess Langwidere (formal)]

Well, you've seen number 17, of course. Perhaps number 30? No. Number 14. Yes, number 14 will do to start with.

[Jeffrey Brown]

What the. It is a key. Who'd make a key out of a ruby?

[Mike]

Never mind. Take her, Mike.

[Jeffrey Brown]

Okay, boss. She's out.

[Mike]

What's the deal she's wearing number 17. And these cabinets are too small for dresses. That means the stuff's portable. And I'm not going to sneak back into this mausoleum and try to pick 30 plus locks in the dark. Get that key and let's get the stuff and get out of here.

[Jeffrey Brown]

Right, boss. Uh oh. Looks like I hit her too hard.

[Mike]

Oh, great. Now we'll have to kill the maid too.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, we're gonna blow this town pretty

[Jeffrey Brown]

quick anyhow, I guess. Sorry, boss.

[Mike]

It's all right. I shouldn't have hurried you like that. Let's have the key.

[Jeffrey Brown]

Here you go.

[Mike]

I don't believe it. Wigs. Her priceless collection is a bunch of wigs.

[Jeffrey Brown]

Nice ones, though.

[Narrator/Announcer]

And those stands must have cost a bundle. Almost look like they're alive, don't they?

[Mike]

Ah, very nice. Nobody would fence them even if we got them out of here. What a ha.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, we still got the key. That'll pay for a lot. Come on. We can take care of the maid on the way.

[Jeffrey Brown]

What was that?

[Mike]

I thought you said she was dead.

[Jeffrey Brown]

She is.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I mean, she was.

[Jeffrey Brown]

I mean, look at her head.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Nobody could live through the.

[Mike]

She pulled it off. She just pulled her head right off.

[Jeffrey Brown]

She'd have to, wouldn't she? To put the other one on, I mean.

[Odd Doc]

There.

[Jeffrey Brown]

Much better she wasn't tanned like that a minute ago.

[Princess Langwidere]

Silly boy. Number 14 has the loveliest style of complexion. I'd look awful if the rest of me didn't match, wouldn't I? Ah, thieves. How disappointing.

[Mike]

Gu.

[Princess Langwidere]

And look what you did to number 17. Best ear for music I've ever had. And it's ruined. Oh, well, at least you're in a position to replace it. Such nice bones. And the coloring is marvelous.

[Mike]

What? What? No. No, please, no.

[Princess Langwidere]

Where's that mirror? Take them away. It really is a shame. I would have traded her number eight for it. Such lovely coloring.

[Nikki]

Traded number eight for it? I do wonder about her taste sometimes. Number eight's a redhead, you know. And I do so like. Well, at least the guards won't get blood stains in the rugs.

[Mike]

Oh.

[Nikki]

Are you all right? You're not looking well at all. Would you like to lie down? There's a nice sitting room just down the. No, better not. That room still needs cleaning. It's kind of sticky in there. You really think so? Well, all right. But do come back when you're feeling better.

[Narrator/Announcer]

We hope you enjoyed this short journey into the labyrinth. Should you wish to explore it further, you can visit our website at www.artc.org to order CDs and tapes of our studio recorded work. Oh, and if you happen to be in Atlanta at the end of the month, come see us perform at the Stage door theater on October 28th and 29th. Details can be found on our webpage. Mildly Exciting Tales of Astonishment was written by Jonathan Strickland, featuring the voices of Brad Strickland, Fiona Karenina, Leonard Brown, Jonathan Strickland, Tamara Morton, Jeffrey Brown, Hal Wideemann and Ariel Stewart. Nicky's Place the Collector was written by Areta Taylor featuring the voices of Trudy Leonard, Kelly Swilley, Tamara Morton and Jonathan Strickland. Both pieces were directed and produced by Jeffrey Brown and David Benedict and were featured in Artsy's into the Labyrinth 2005 performance at Memorial hall in Stone Mountain park on October 31, 2005. Live music was provided by Alton Leonard. The sound engineers were David Carter and William Allen Rich. Thank you for listening to the Atlanta Radio Theater Company's podcast and remember, there is adventure in Sound.

[Jeffrey Brown]

All material is copyright by its creators

[Narrator/Announcer]

or the Atlanta radio theatre company.

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