By Michaella Lesieur, Staff Writer
Ring in the start of the new spring semester with WUMD radio (89.3 FM, the campus radio station), as Show Tunes in the Afternoon celebrates their 12 year anniversary of moving and grooving, with DJ Larry Houbre.
Houbre, who also goes by the name DJ “Lectric Lar,” first started his journey in the theatre world in 1974, and later decided to produce a weekly radio show with WUMD in 2004.
On January 30, 2017, it marked the station’s 615th broadcast of the show, well known for playing of a wide variety of songs not normally played on mainstream radio.
When asked about the show’s content, Houbre said, “I play a wide range of songs from musical theater. Not only the classics and well-recognized pieces, but also the ‘almost’ Broadway music and the not-so-famous songs from mainstream musicals.”
Houbre has much inspiration and has a favorite musical of his own. “My all-time favorite musical ‘so far’ is The Music Man. It’s a love story and illustrates how two people can fall in love and influence each other’s lives for the better.”
In honor of the anniversary, Show Tunes in the Afternoon will have a special show. “We’ll play songs from the first episode, and announce the Show Tunes Bingo game winner,” said Houbre.
The show produces a very unique style of work. “The wide range of music and genres, fulfilling the mission to enlighten, educate and entertain through musical theater,” said Houbre.
One fun fact about the upcoming anniversary is that the very first show aired on February 14, 2005, at exactly 3:00 p.m. Valentine’s Day. What a great anniversary, which resembles a love for the industry.
The hit music show blends the perfect combination of Broadway and Off-Broadway, Almost-Broadway and London musical theatre into the perfect tunes for the afternoon. UMass Dartmouth students can enjoy special spotlight interviews with local theatre groups.
An extra bonus for our student listeners is that sometimes when a local theatre group comes in for a show they will give away a few free tickets to go see it. All you have to do is listen to win!
During the “What’s On Stage” portion of the show, viewers can expect a list of theatrical productions that are currently showcasing their performance or that are coming soon. This is happens every week and makes for a great way to see what is out.
In general, students of UMass Dartmouth love the fact that they have a local radio station to listen to that is for and by the students of UMass Dartmouth and their peers.
Senior English writing, rhetoric and communications major Christina Musser said, “What I like most is the variety and different styles of music and how it exposes me to artists I would have not heard otherwise.”
Commuters are also fans of the show, and tune in on their commute home on Monday afternoons.
Show Tunes in the Afternoon has been consistently enriching the lives of students since its debut, and students would like to congratulate the show on all of its accomplishments. “Congratulations,” said Musser.
Since the anniversary date is set for February 14, the show will be celebrating the milestone on Monday February 13, 2017 since the show originally airs on Mondays from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
One thing viewers will enjoy is the unique ending of every show.
Houbre said that he ends “every show with the declaration ‘Don’t forget to call your mom and dad,’ and a quote from The Music Man: ‘I don’t know about you, but I’d like to make today worth living.’”
For more information on the show, please visit the radio station’s page at 893wumd.org or visit their Facebook page at WUMD FM 89.3 or SaveWUMD for information on current events.