What’s it like to produce a radio drama?  The following videos detail the making of Adventures in Odyssey, which this year celebrates 25 years of production.  Odyssey is a town akin to Mayberry, somewhere in mid-America, in which the residents take on problems that challenge their moral values and way of life.  The lead characters are John Avery “Whit” Whitaker, a wise old gentleman who runs Whit’s End, an ice cream emporium ; Connie Kendall, an enthusiastic teenager who manages the soda fountain; Eugene Meltsner, a young genius whose logical proclivities clash with Connie’s impulsive behavior; Tom Riley, a local farmer and Whit’s best friend; and show announcer Chris Anthony.  Whit’s End features a virtual reality machine called the Imagination Station, in which users can have adventures in various times and places.

Notably, the leads are voiced by actors who share credits in Disney animated productions: Hal Smith as Whit, Katie Leigh as Connie, Will Ryan as Eugene, and Walker Edmiston as Tom.  When Smith passed away in 1994, the role of Whitaker was played by Paul Herlinger until 2008, followed by Andre Stojka in 2009.

Find out more about the show below. 

Adventures in Odyssey: Behind the scenes, 1989

Take it From the Top: Adventures in Odyssey #51 , 2009