The always-popular Rumsey Radio Hour is back in Shepherdstown Jan 30-31 for three performances at the Marinoff Theater at Shepherd University to raise money for the Shepherdstown library.

As Shepherdstown’s nod to National Public Radio’s Prairie Home Companion, The Rumsey Radio Hour is a variety show with music, storytelling, humorous skits and parody, while embracing an old-timey feel using radio sound effects from bygone days.

The show was originally performed from 1989 to 1995, then revived again in 2004, and features a cast of multi-talented local “celebrities”.

“In addition to national matters and politics, the show provides its take on the local ‘flavor’ of the community of Shepherdstown,” said Mark Kraham, News Director of WHAG and Master of Ceremonies for the Rumsey Radio Hour. “This is a very talented group of people who get together to perform, and we have such a good time doing it.”

Kraham, who is a skilled impersonator hinted that there might be an “appearance” from Bill Clinton and perhaps Ronald Reagan as well in this performance.

“One of things we’re bringing back is the Pirates of the Potomac,” said Kraham. “It’s a skit about a band of pirates that sail up and down the Potomac and get into all kinds of trouble.”

Sandy Brown, Director of the Friends of Shepherdstown Library said, “This immensely talented cast donates a lot of rehearsal and performance time to benefit all sorts of wonderful programming at the library. We love this show.”

The cast includes WHAG’s own Mark Kraham; nationally acclaimed story teller and Shepherd University Appalachian Studies professor Adam Booth; Shepherd Professor Emeritus, Phil Bufithis; WSHC Radio COO, Todd Cotgreave; and other famously talented artists including Todd Coyle, Clissy Funkhouser, Grace Geiger, Nina Geiger, Hugh Johnson, Andrea Hines, Don Oehser, Laura First Oehser, Lois Spreen, Jade Tremba and Ed Zahniser.

Peggy McKowan is the Associate Producing Director for the Contemporary American Theater Festival, and this is her fourth year as producer, director and stage manager for the Rumsey Radio Hour.

The show will be broadcast live at Shepherd on WHSC radio.

There will be a 2 p.m. matinee both Saturday and Sunday, and a Saturday evening performance at 8 p.m. The evening performance will feature a “talk back” with the cast. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 12 and can be purchased at the Shepherdstown library, online at www.foslwv.org, or if there are tickets left, they can be purchased at the door, 30 minutes in advance of the performance.

All proceeds will benefit the Shepherdstown Library.