British composer Sir Tim Rice, co-author of "Jesus Christ Superstar", which is currently playing at the National Theater, recently visited Panama after accepting a special invitation from Mrs. Vivian de Torrijos, First Lady of the Republic.

Declared the "Guest of Honor of the Nation", Sir Tim also received the Keys of Panama City, a distinction granted by Mayor Juan Carlos Navarro.

Tim Rice's visit was a special "gift" from Mrs. Torrijos to Panamanian theater producer Bruce Quinn, who celebrates his 50th anniversary on the stage this year with Jesus Christ Superstar.

Seen here, from left to right, are Bruce Quinn, Arlene Lachman, James Malcom (British Ambassador to Panama), Sir Tim Rice, Mrs. Eileen Heinink and Fred Still.

Every Thursday evening, the members of the growing, English-speaking expat community in Panama now have the chance to reach out to one another and learn about events, travel opportunities and other cultures on the air waves.

All of this takes place through "American Night", an hour-long show aired at 7:00 p.m. on Radio Mía (96.7 FM), hosted by Dr. Jerry Hall, a Harvard-educated attorney and psychologist, Panamanian producer Salomón Andión (the program’s director), and Gabriel Leonard, Editor of The Visitor.

"American Night" is part of "Recorriendo el Mundo" ("Traveling around the World") –a series of daily radio programs designed to promote the values and activities of the country’s multi-ethnic community.

Launched on February 1, Recorriendo el Mundo dedicates a week to the best of a particular country or to share with the Panamanian audience with a number of special guests, ranging from diplomats and businessmen to housewives and students. Countries are chosen to coincide with their national holidays.

Approximately 5,000 people listen to Recorriendo el Mundo daily. "Our audience is middle-class adults, between 40 and 70 years old, the majority of whom are men", said Mr. Andión, the program’s director.

To date, countries such as India, New Zealand, the Dominican Republic, Israel, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Lithuania, South Africa, Poland, Norway and Paraguay have been featured in the program, which also airs specials on international holidays and observances, poems, music, personalities, and world religions.

Produced by Marketing Magic and ADR Services INTL, Recorriendo el Mundo can also be listened to on 650 AM.

For more information, call Michael, tel. 215-1775, Cel. 651-7184.