The Flagpole Radio Café will return to the Edmond Town Hall on Saturday, May 18, marking the first presentation in nearly a year.

The Flagpole Radio Café is an engaging show created by Jim Allyn, Martin Blanco, and Barbara Gaines in conjunction with Newtown Cultural Arts Commission. It features music by Jim Allyn and The Flagpole Radio Café Orchestra, a dynamic ensemble created for the show; and radio-style comedy sketches by The Flagpole Shakespeare Repertory Theatre.

Each show also features a musical guest artist. Previous guests have included Jonathan Edwards, Livingston Taylor, Tom Chapin, Peter Yarrow, Bethany and Rufus, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Christine Lavin, Roger Ball of The Average White Band, Deborah Henson-Conant, and Yale’s internationally acclaimed male choir The Whiffenpoofs.

The guest artist for May is expected to be announced shortly, but tickets for the show are already available.

Ticket are $30 for adults, $25 for students and senior citizens, and they may be purchased at www.flagpoleproductions.org.

The show begins at 7 pm, and will be in the Edmond Town Hall Theatre.

“After four seasons of excellent programming, we experienced a number of challenges at the beginning of our fifth, but none as profound as the impact of the Sandy Hook tragedy,” said Martin Blanco, co-producer of Flagpole Radio Café. “While all of us who reside in or near Newtown were shocked by the events, this was particularly devastating because our dear friends and valued ensemble members Francine and David Wheeler lost their son Ben on that terrible day.

“After performing in February at A Family Concert of Caring, Healing and Togetherness — produced by our friend Peter Yarrow and his Operation Respect Foundation — we began discussions about the possibility of coming together for a full Flagpole Radio Café show,” continued Mr Blanco. “That date is upon us now.”

Co-producer Barbara Gaines added, “We hope to bring a bit of joy to the town, as we have done for four years, through the shared experience of live performance.”

For additional information, call 203-364-0898 or send email to info@flagpoleproductions.org.