I wish I could say our Halloween special involved lots of special effects, surprising guest stars, a catching musical number and a heart warming ending.

Sadly our musical director quit in a huff last week after I requested a show tune about zombies in love, our costume supervisor was arrested for smuggling tainted toys from China and the Baldwin brother we had booked back out at the last minute. (Note, it was not Alec. Or William.)

This week's Podcast, the NXT Halloween Special, does have something special though: Audio theater.

Que?

Radio shows may seem like a thing of the past, when our grandparents or their parents sat around the living room and listened to serial shows about "The Shadow" or other popular characters of the day.

But we live in 2007. We have a bajillion cable channels. We have torture porn. We have all the glory of the Interwebs.

You really don't have to work to hard to find ways to scare yourself.

All of this is why I wanted to have a chat with Fred Greenhalgh of Final Rune Productions. Final Rune produces old and original radio dramas, or as Greenhalgh likes to call it, "stories for the ear."

You may think its all a little crazy until you actually listen to a few shows. Greenhalgh finds actors to do voice work, creates his own sound effects and puts it all together for independent radio dramas.

I first came across Final Rune on the the Strange Maine Blog, an always reliable repository of all things timeless, bizarre and quirky.

Greenhalgh is also the host of Radio Drama Revival, a podcast and weekly radio show that can be heard on WMPG.

Tonight he's hosting a Halloween special beginning at 8:30 p.m. on WMPG 90.1/104.1 FM.

Special thanks today also goes out to Milled Pavement Records for providing today's music. I was looking for something to help set the mood and the new album by Project Dark fit the bill perfectly.
The album was released today. To hear some tracks and get in on some Halloween festivities, head over to the White Heart tonight for the CD release party.

Beware Black Liberace
Staff Illustration by Jeff Woodbury

As for tonight, remember to keep it safe on the streets and watch out for kids. If you are in dire need of help, remember, I've got a few tips on last minute costume ideas and how to have a Halloween without incident.
Granted, that list does not come with a guarantee and is really just a suggestion. But seriously, I think we would all be happier if the "naughty" costumes got more creative.
Instead of "naughty Catholic school girl," what about "well adjusted Catholic school girl who enjoys a happy sex life and is respectful of others?"

Just a suggestion.

And remember, if you need me, just look for Black Liberace tonight.

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