Engaging, Humorous, Offbeat

I hate "edgy" - mostly due to the posers who use the term and how they misuse it.

This is an entertaining, clever, polished and wonderfully adventurous series of 3:30 stories or strips.

And it's spectacularly edgy.

11th Central Ave is an ongoing radiostrip that follows the breakfast conversation and topical day-to-day over-analysis of Nat, the unemployed husband; Christine, his wife and somewhat ambivalent bread-winner; Anneliese, their 17 year old daughter and others, including Christine?s libertarian brother with a masters degree in government (he works at Kinkos).

This is a raw, but tightly focused lens onto our present day, where the story line and characters give a human and humorous voice to today's social, political and economic ups and mostly downs.

Quick paced in your face, biting, cynical and smart, very funny and occasionally heart breaking - 11th Central Ave's acting, writing and directing operate on an enviously high scale.

There are two catches.

For the show to make its rightful impact with your listeners, it will take more than 2 - 3 episodes to get the rhythm of the show. You'll need to commit for the long term.

A different sensibility is required when you audition this series. How will your station's listeners feel after hearing it 15 times? Will they grow to enjoy if it airs at the right time, if they hear it enough times and if it's creatively and effectively promoted?

Hearing or auditioning 1 - 2 shows won't work.

Start with these recent episodes: http://www.prx.org/pieces/28029, http://www.prx.org/pieces/28197 and http://www.prx.org/pieces/28318

Here's the other catch: the series isn't perfect. Not every strip is a gem. There are a few rough edges that are easily addressable (the opening could be tighter - the promo and info at the end could be clearer).

Each episode is 3:30 or 3:59 with a promo and show information. Consider it for the WESAT or WESUN cutaways; ME on Friday - or Friday during your news/arts magazine program.

Remember...it's not a show: it's a long term series of strips. And it is authentically edgy.

David Srebnik , Listener Directed Productions, Inc.
Alexandria, VA
August 21, 2008

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