Improvised Golden Age Radio

IGAR
  • 5.0 (3)
  • IMPROV

Improvised Golden Age Radio is broadcasting now! Veterans of Chicago’s best improv shows like Baby Wants Candy, Improvised Shakespeare Company, Hitch Cocktails and more bring you an hour of hilarious long form improv!  Playing with inspiration from the Swinging 30s, 40s and 50s, these cool cats will have you in stitches with a small twist on the long form improv Chicago is famous for.

Episodes

  1. JAN 19

    Blue In The Driver’s Seat

    Many thanks to all our new listeners in the USA & South Africa! Please rate/review!  Blue Beaumont, the twin of famous movie star of the 1940s,  pulls into a gas station where his life changes forever. He and his new chum Tucker Cornwallace set out to find his brother while Beauregard, his brother, is on a quest of his own.  Little do they know they may both find love, but will they find the Heart of The Ocean; and will Tucker ever get anything to eat? Recorded 1/10/26 @ iO Chicago. This episode fakely sponsored by Busted Chairs Incorporated Shelby Burton - Tucker Cornwallace, The original orphan owner, Lucinda Ben Vigeant - Opening narrator, Chris Lillyleather, The Chef Joe Hartenstine - Bleu Beaumont, The Captain, Beauregard Beaumont Ashley Whitehurst - Hungry Orphan, The male sailor Jordan Reichardt - Miss Lillyleather The Orphanage Owner Here's the ai summary for your amusement:  A gas station spill. A lavender hose. A bowl of “celebrity stew.” From our first audience suggestions to a finale of vows and vows-to-the-sea, we spin a golden-age radio romp that blends 1940s sparkle with modern heart. Blue Beaumont, a modest traveler mistaken for his famous twin True, meets Tucker, a quick-witted orphan desperate for a better life than Miss Lily’s ironclad orphanage can offer. One impulsive adoption sets off a chain of choices—some legal, some romantic, all gloriously human. We follow True onto a ship to “research” his next big role and watch admiration turn into genuine tenderness with a sailor who ties knots as easily as he unties his loneliness. Back on land, Lily’s brash rules crack just enough to reveal the grief that built them, and a very specific clause in Tucker’s adoption papers ropes her into the road trip she never dared to take. Everything collides at Maggie’s, a portside diner that treats fame like a four-alarm fire. Curtains pull back, the twins face off, prawns run out, and everyone argues about who gets the last spoon of stew—right before they decide who gets their hearts. Expect vintage sound, smart chaos, and a finale that actually pays off the jokes: a cascade of I do’s, a captain pledging himself to the sea, and a gentle reminder that even with stars in the room, the smallest voice still needs dinner. If you love improvised radio theater, 1940s Hollywood satire, found-family stories, and shipboard romance with a wink, this one’s for you. Enjoy the ride, share the episode with a friend, and tap follow so you never miss our next improvised broadcast. If we made you laugh, leave a quick review—it helps curious listeners find their way to Maggie’s. You can actually message us by clicking here! Support the show https://www.improvisedradio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/improvisedradioshow/

    47 min

  2. JAN 9

    Le Creme Noir (Or the Powers That Be)

    A leech loving scientist posing as an OBGYN just might not be the worst doctor in town... extra hilarious episode, please check out our upcoming live shows at iO at www.improvisedradio.com Crew - Chuck Cotterman - HostKatlin Schneider - ProudctionEd Zak - Foley TableCast -  Joe Hartenstein - Jessica’s Husband, Jimmy the Bartender Carly Olson - Helen the Telekenetic Nurse, Frederique the French Leech, Becky the Travel AgentJordan Reichardt -  The Straight Forward Psychologist , Milton the MilkmenBen Vigent - Opening Narrator, Dr.Mcdreamy the OBGYN, Ashley Whitehurt - Jessica the Human, Jessica the LeechEric Pedersen - Dr. Seymour Powers, Michelle the LeechTheme Music: Mark Rose www.downwrite.com  Here's a silly AI recap of the episode: Step into a crackling world where vintage radio charm meets razor-sharp improv. We stage a full golden age broadcast—complete with foley, sponsor jingles, and a pompous announcer—and build a heartfelt, absurd mystery around Dr. Seymour Powers, a not-quite-licensed OBGYN who swears by medieval cures and keeps leeches like family. When Jessica arrives determined to keep her pregnancy secret from a well-connected spouse, the clinic becomes a crossroads for agency, love, and the strange comforts of confidence without competence. As the story unfolds, Helen the telekinetic nurse proves she sees everything; Milton the milkman rations dairy and gossip with equal menace; and Becky, a feminist travel agent who always wanted to pilot, finally takes the cockpit. Between witty “Johnson’s Jalopies” ads and a bartender’s deadpan advice, mustard poultices stand in for medicine, leeches sing doo-wop, and a city’s worth of characters pile into a plane that somehow becomes a chapel. Along the way, we dig into the real stuff—who gets to decide, how power masks as tradition, why being seen can rewrite a life—and we do it with a smile and a chorus. By the time vows are exchanged at cruising altitude and a candy addiction is “cured” by community, you’ll have laughed at the nonsense and felt the truth underneath it: authority is often a performance, and care is something we make together. If you love improvised comedy, old-time radio vibes, feminist humor, eccentric doctors, and joyful chaos that lands with heart, this one’s for you. Enjoy the ride and keep the jalopy running: subscribe, share with a friend who needs a laugh, and leave a quick review telling us your favorite moment from the flight. You can actually message us by clicking here! Support the show https://www.improvisedradio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/improvisedradioshow/

    59 min

  3. 12/31/2025

    Tears of a Teenage Clown

    A young lad tries his shot at living his dream, only be told he’s useless and will never amount to anything. A tale we can all relate to this Christmas. Shelby Burton - Elizabeth - Clark’s mother, other rapscallions  Eric - Professor Bobo, Charles Nelson Ben -  A series of annoying circus goers!, Richard Harvard Bowden Brown - the animal trainer Joe - Clark the Clown, a series of nincompoops  Host- Chuck Cotterman Foley - Katlin Schneider Production - Ed Zak Theme Music: Mark Rose www.downwrite.com Check out www.improvisedradio.com for upcoming shows at Bughouse, iO Chicago, and Crawlspace Comedy in Kalamazoo. You can actually message us by clicking here! Support the show https://www.improvisedradio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/improvisedradioshow/

    44 min

  4. 12/14/2025

    The Kentucky Cruise Conundrum

    Two Kentucky potato farmers take a chance in the big city and land themselves on a cruise! Ne're do wells and cross class romance, this is an IGAR to remember, or at least, listen to! Philip Amler - Uncle Davy Goliath, The Card Dealer, Mr.Gorgonsen  Shelby Burton - Captains Wife, Martha the Oily Sister, The Pit Boss, Joe Hartenstine - Captain and others Eric Pedersen - Damn Fool Nephew James the 3rd; First Officer  Ashley Whitehurst - Constantine oil sister, a ne’er do well Ben Vigeant - Mr. B , Ne’er Dowells Theme Music: Mark Rose www.downwrite.com   You can actually message us by clicking here! Support the show https://www.improvisedradio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/improvisedradioshow/

    50 min

  5. 12/07/2025

    The Weathered Piano (live from Flyover Comedy Festival)

    A broken piano plays the chords of a broken man's heart. Actually that's not really what happens, but that would be pretty poetic if it was! Live from the Flyover Comedy Festival in St.Louis.   Ft. Philip Amler, Ashley Whitehurst, Jordan Reichardt, Joe Hartenstine Host: Chuck Cotterman Foley: Katlin Schenider Tech: Ed Zak & Vicky Di Dios Theme Music: Mark Rose www.downwrite.com You can actually message us by clicking here! Support the show https://www.improvisedradio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/improvisedradioshow/

    43 min

  6. 11/29/2025

    Mobsters with Accents (ft. Joe Burton & Grace Goze)

    This episode we are lucky enough to host Grace Goze of Hitchcock*Tails and Clued In as well as Joe Burton of The Improvised Shakespeare Company. What a delight! For the first time here is a ridiculous AI summary of the episode. We would have just written "Good accents, bad Canadians, enough said." AI Below: A ring caught by the wind, a rooftop roaring over Chicago, and two lovers trying to define what love looks like when the law barges in. Our live golden-age radio troupe builds a full town in your ears: candlelit tables on Cindy’s rooftop, detectives who sprint down spiral staircases like it’s cardio, and a Canadian mafia that promises menace with a disarming “sorry.” It starts as a one-year anniversary and swerves into an on-air caper about borders, identity, and the kinds of vows that outlast the weather. We meet Roscoe and Rachel as they navigate the world’s least helpful breeze and the world’s most unhelpful confession: she’s Canadian, and a sweeping crackdown could force her out. Across town, two hard-charging detectives hear the president’s words and treat them like a personal mission, fueled by a memory that’s equal parts tragic and absurd. The flashback to a “too polite” robbery reframes their obsession, and suddenly we’re inside a noir that’s been loosened at the seams, stitched with jokes about loonies and toonies and the eternal question: does an objection make a wedding more or less official? Along the way, a sponsor steps in—Wrigley Windbreakers, corrugated-steel chic—and the world deepens with every footstep, accordion wheeze, and whispered plan. The Canadian mafia leans hard into disguises—Italian, Scottish, South African—to dodge a roundup, proving that accents can be borders and comedy can be a map. When vows collide with vengeance, a ring bearer trips the standoff, and the chase spills through the church. At the edge of catastrophe, the couple makes a choice: don’t light the fuse. It’s a moral pivot wrapped in a laugh, a reminder that who we are matters less than what we decide to do. By the time the border news flips again, the city feels real enough to hold in both hands: wind, steel, sirens, and a hopeful “I do.” If you love improvised storytelling, period satire, and the kind of character work that turns chaos into meaning, you’ll feel right at home here. Press play, ride the gusts with us, then tell a friend—and if you smiled even once, leave a quick review so more listeners can find the show. You can actually message us by clicking here! Support the show https://www.improvisedradio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/improvisedradioshow/

    40 min

  7. SEASON 1, EPISODE 5 TRAILER

    Improvised Golden Age Radio Preview

    Hi everyone and welcome. My name is Eric Pedersen and I’m the co-creator and artistic director of Improvised Golden Age of Radio - a show that started in 2024 where we improvise a fully staged old-time radio play inspired by old classics like The Shadow, Johnny Dollar, Rocky Jordan and more.  The narration, story, characters, commercials, and sound effects are all being made up on the spot always live in front of an audience and it is a ton of fun to perform and we have had some really great guests and will continue to have some of your favorite improvisers on to play with us. We really hope you enjoy listening to the recordings and Check us out at improvisedradio.com or on Instagram at @ImprovisedRadioShow for more information on live shows. Theme Music: Mark Rose www.downwrite.com  You can actually message us by clicking here! Support the show https://www.improvisedradio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/improvisedradioshow/

    1 min

  8. 11/21/2025

    Mystery at Camp Kill (or Bankruptcy at Camp Bemidji)

    A hidden cockney accent, more drunken children, and some run of the mill animal mutilation. Another typical Summer camp Bemidji. This week’s episode brought to you by our fake sponsor, Vorhees Brand Camping Gear. Featuring Eric Pedersen, Ashley Whitehurst, Jordan Reichardt, Carly Olson, Philip Amler. Hosted by Joe Hartenstine. Foley by Katlin Schneider. Live Production: Ed Zak and Victoria De Dios. Theme Music: Mark Rose www.downwrite.com You can actually message us by clicking here! Support the show https://www.improvisedradio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/improvisedradioshow/

    44 min

  9. 11/14/2025

    The Smart Detective & The Drunken Child (Ft. Sayjal Joshi)

    At least we recycle, is it so bad the bottles are empty because school children got into the teachers booze supply? The detective is smart, but are they smart enough to figure out which child is visibly intoxicated?! How many bones can we break inside an 87 year old woman's hand? Brought to you by our fake sponsor, Roger's Personal Beach Cabanas. Host: Katlin Schneider Cast: Sayjal Joshi, Eric Pedersen, Carly Olson, Shelby Burton, Ashley Whitehurst Foley: Chuck Cotterman Live Production: Ed Zak & Victoria De Dios Theme Music: Mark Rose www.downwrite.com You can actually message us by clicking here! Support the show https://www.improvisedradio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/improvisedradioshow/

    45 min

  10. 11/07/2025

    Cynthia's Hot Dog Frenzy (Ft. James Dugan)

    Cynthia heads to Chicago to open a theater where things immediately fall off the rails. Hot dogs on the bus?! This episode was fakely brought to you by Quality Cousin's Fresh Franks.  Cast:  James Dugan, Eric Pedersen, Carly Olson, Jordan Reichardt, Joe Hartenstine, Philip Amler Host: Chuck Cotterman Foley: Katlin Schneider Live Production: Ed Zak & Victoria De Dios Theme Music: Mark Rose www.downwrite.com You can actually message us by clicking here! Support the show https://www.improvisedradio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/improvisedradioshow/

    53 min

  11. 10/15/2025

    Love & Coffee (Ft. Mark Gagliardi & Eric Muller)

    Martha's strong strong coffee is running out of coffee. Can the mobster mothers of the town complete their heist before the cops track them down? Will utter nonsense win the face of obvious plot resolution?! Listen to find out! Cast: Carly Olson, Jordan Reichardt, Ashley Whitehurst, Mark Gagliardi, Eric Muller Joe Hartenstein, Eric Pedersen Host: Chuck Cotterman Foley: Katlin Schneider Live Production: Ed Zak Theme Music: Mark Rose www.downwrite.com You can actually message us by clicking here! Support the show https://www.improvisedradio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/improvisedradioshow/

    49 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Improvised Golden Age Radio is broadcasting now! Veterans of Chicago’s best improv shows like Baby Wants Candy, Improvised Shakespeare Company, Hitch Cocktails and more bring you an hour of hilarious long form improv!  Playing with inspiration from the Swinging 30s, 40s and 50s, these cool cats will have you in stitches with a small twist on the long form improv Chicago is famous for.

Information