The WGNS Action Line broadcast on Christmas Eve will be focused on the holidays. In fact, a radio drama from neighbors at the St. Clair Street Senior Center are the stars of the Tuesday morning radio broadcast from 8:10-9:00AM.

Local Christmas Drama 8:10-9:00AM Tuesday

Santa Claus sets his sleigh down at WGNS for a special program on Christmas Eve morning. The St. Clair Senior Center's drama club, titled Seniors Acting Up, will present the yuletide radio play, The Midnight Rider starting at 8:10 Tuesday morning.

Susanne Tenpenny of Murfreesboro wrote the play that the seniors staged earlier this month. She says The Midnight Rider presents Santa Claus on his annual world tour. As he descends on some unique housetops and slides down some unpredictable chimneys,  roving reporter Clark Kent is right behind him for any breaking news. Santa is not having a good night. His reindeer are sick and unable to work, he has a spat with the wife, he's accused of breaking and entering, and he confuses addresses.

The play takes place the night before Christmas with old Saint Nick traveling to London Castle, the White House, the Jay Leno Show, and to the St. Clair Senior Center. Mel Rigot played

The Midnight Rider, Santa Claus, and Eva Lancaster, his wife. Assisting the man of the hour was his 500-year-old elf, Cookie, Carolyn Lester. Roving reporter was played by Forrest Ward; Dr. DooLittle  was Stan Somlamillo. Dave Merz played the parts of Count Dracula, the President and Kevin. The 3 secret servicewomen were played by Yolanda Pruitt, Dorthy Jenkins and Sandy Griswold.  Jay Leno, David Hiear; the studio voice, Maria James; Miss Candy Kiss, Gloria Denney; and Granny Claus, Claire Mobley. Three commercials were presented by Karen Frye. Susanne Tenpenny was also the narrator. Pat Merz was the director, and Charlie Parker, the keyboardist and sound effects man.   

The Murfreesboro Little Theater presented a slightly different version of the  play five years ago. Tenpenny originally wrote the play for Ralph Vaughn, who was then the manager of WJLE radio in Smithville and later at WGNS and then the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce.

"He asked me to write a Christmas play for his morning program," Tenpenny said. "I did and the readers gathered at the station to tape it.  It was The Christmas of 1980. President Carter was ending his term in the White House and Johnny Carson still sat behind the desk of the Tonight Show. This was the original play under a different title."

"I remembered my play recently and thought the seniors might enjoy a readers theater," Tenpenny said. Once again, I revised it . After reading it, Linda Burt, Director of the Center, gave a thumbs up."

 Here's What Script Looks Like

This scene from The Midnight Rider features Santa, his helper and Count Dracula.

COOKIE:  S-Sir, it's a coffin! (sound effect:  creaking)

COUNT DRACULA:  Good evening!  (Santa and Cookie gasp.)

SANTA:  G-Good evening!  W-Who are you?

COUNT DRACULA:  I am Count Dracula. 

SANTA:  Count Dracula.  Pardon us for trespassing.  W-we didn't mean to get you out of your...uh...bed.

COUNT DRACULA: Think nothing of it.  I always awaken at this time of night. (a sinister laugh) 

COOKIE:  (stage whisper) Sir, maybe we can appease him with a gift.

SANTA: (aside) Good thinking, Cookie. (aloud) Count Dracula, I'm Santa Claus.

COUNT DRACULA: How do you do.  Welcome to my castle.

SANTA:  Thank you, Sir.  My assistant and I were just flying over your rooftop and decided to drop in and...uh...present you a Christmas gift.

COUNT DRACULA:  You are very kind.  I love your outfit; red is my favorite color.

SANTA:  The suit is an original.

COUNT DRACULA:  What is that crawling over your shoulder?

SANTA:  Oh, this?  It's my magic bag.  It carries Christmas presents for all the world's children, and a special one for you, Count Dracula.

COUNT DRACULA:  I prefer a liquid refreshment.

SANTA:  I think I can accommodate you.  There are milkshakes...coconut milk...hot chocolate...

COUNT DRACULA:  A bloody Mary will do. (another sinister laugh)

COOKIE:  (stage whisper) Let's get out of here, Santa.  Lay your magic finger beside your magic nose.

SANTA:  Here's a bottle of pop, Count Dracula.

COUNT DRACULA:  Ah, my favorite color.  Thank you!

SANTA:  Don't open it until after we're gone.

COUNT DRACULA:  My gratitude, Mr. Claus.

SANTA CLAUS:  Merry Christmas!  (sound effect:  a whistling sound up the chimney)

COOKIE:  What was in that bottle , Sir:?

SANTA CLAUS:  Tobasco Sauce