The Little Women Collection by Louisa May Alcott presented by The Online Stage.

This collection includes the remastered Online Stage productions of Little Women, Little Men, Jo’s Boys as well as Comic Tragedies by Jo & Meg.

Little Women is the story of four sisters growing up against the background of the American Civil War. Alcott wrote the book at the urging of the publisher, Thomas Niles, who was seeking a story about girls that would have popular appeal. Although it was commenced essentially as a children’s book, it developed into something of a bildungsroman, which touches on more serious issues such as the difficulties faced by single-parent families, the death of a sibling, and fractured relationships.

Little Men tells the continuing story of Jo March, who has married Professor Bhaer, with whom she now runs a small school.

In Jo’s Boys, we revisit the Plumfield clan 10 years later, all grown up and finding their way through life’s adventures and misadventures. Simmering romances blossom for some while the bravery and strength of others are tested. Through it all, Jo and Professor Bhaer desperately hope they have done their duty in raising up good citizens of the world with dreams, passions, empathy, and intelligence. Alcott shines once again with her ability to write human emotion through real-world scenarios that are still relevant today.

Comic Tragedies by Jo & Meg is a collection of plays written by Jo and Meg March, often discussed and performed in the March family attic by the beloved Little Women as the Pickwick Players. Our cast returns as Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth to perform every role with dramatic flair from damsels in distress to evil villains, and no shortage of mistaken identities and sword fights.

Cast:

Narrators—Lee Ann Howlett and Erin Grassie

Jo—Amanda Friday

Meg—P. J. Morgan

Beth—Tiffany Halla Colonna

Amy—Becca Maggie and Anna Grace

Laurie—Andy Harrington

Professor Bhaer—Ben Lindsey-Clark

Various other roles performed by Elizabeth Klett, Ron Altman, Ben Stevens, Nancy German, Maureen Boutilier, Jeff Moon, Jennifer Fournier, Miranda Hodges, Izzy Lindsey-Clark, Rebecca Thomas, Brett Downey, Sarah Pignatello, Chris Marcellus, Leanne Yau, Cate Barratt, Libby Stephenson, Marty Krz, David Prickett, Arielle Lipshaw, Ted Wenskus, Tomas Peter, Anastasia Durning, Josh Innerst, Tim Sailer, Sydnee Fullmer, Lance Rasmussen, Tyler Hyrchuk, Max Gallo, Anna Grace, Jennie VanderLugt, and Trisha Rose.

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Moby Dick

Or The Whale

By Herman Melville

Presented by Voices of Today

Moby Dick, which has been considered the great American novel, was first published in 1851. For material, Melville drew on his experience on whaling ships between 1841 and 1844, the sinking of the whaling vessel Essex in 1820, and extensive perusal of literature on whaling and many other subjects.

The narrator, Ishmael, travels to New Bedford, Massachusetts, to join the crew for a whaling voyage. The ship, the Pequod, is commanded by the eccentric and intimidating Captain Ahab, who is obsessed with a desire to hunt down the white whale which, in a previous encounter, had caused Ahab to lose a leg. The voyage commences favorably but is impelled towards disaster by the captain’s maniacal ambition to find and kill his marine adversary.

The narrative is enriched by songs, descriptions of Ishmael’s encounters with members of the multiracial crew, and detailed observations on cetology. Although there is no romantic subplot, and few of the characters are women, Moby Dick, in its reach and presentation, can be seen as one of the most operatic of novels. As a compelling exploration of obsessive ambition and its tragic consequences, it ranks with Macbeth, The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus, and the Book of Genesis.

Cast

Ishmael—Jeff Moon

Ahab—Ron Altman

Stubb—Marty Krz

Starbuck—Adam Skousen

Flask—Curt Bonnem

Queequeg—Dean Delp

Father Mapple—John Burlinson

Pip—Joan DuKore

Also featuring the voices of Jennifer Fournier, Justin Price, Tom Saer, Ben Stevens, Joseph Tabler, and Bob Gonzalez.

Tunes for songs composed by Marty Krz

Audio edited by Denis Daly

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Anna Katharine Green (1846 – 1935) was one of the first crime novelists and paved the way for later female writers of detective novels, like Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Ngaio Marsh.

Among her prolific output are 12 novels featuring her main character, detective Ebenezer Gryce of the New York Metropolitan Police Force. This collection contains the second group of three novels in the series:

1. Behind Closed Doors (1888)
2. A Matter of Millions (1890)
3. The Doctor, His Wife and the Clock (1895)

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The Online Stage presents The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams.

“Real isn’t how you are made…it’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”

Margery Williams’ classic story about a toy rabbit who longs to become real is a treat for listeners of all ages. This full-cast performance brings this timeless tale to vibrant life.

Cast:

Narrator – Elizabeth Klett

The Velveteen Rabbit – Miranda Hodges

The Skin Horse – Graham Scott

Nana – Jennifer Fournier

The Boy – Russell Gold

The Wild Rabbit – Bob Gonzalez

The Doctor – John Burlinson

The Nursery Magic Fairy – Jennie VanderLugt

Audio edited by Elizabeth Klett

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Translated by Constance Garnett

Although his work has somewhat fallen into obscurity, Alexander Ostrovsky (1823-1886) is considered to be one of the greatest of Russian dramatists. He was one of the pioneers of a realistic style, which later found exponents in celebrated European dramatists like Ibsen and Strindberg. Of Ostrovsky’s 47 plays, one of the best known is The Storm, the portrait of an idealistic young woman trapped in a world of crushing and venal orthodoxy. The Storm formed the basis of Janacek’s opera, Katya Kabanova.

Featuring:

Marty Krz as Vanya Kudriash and First Person

John Burlinson as Savil Prokofievitch Dikoy

Robert Curran as Boris Grigorievitch

Bob Neufeld as Kuligin

Jennifer Fournier as Feklusha, Old Woman and a Woman

Erin Marie White as Katerina Kabanova and Glasha

Aisling Gray as Marfa Ignatievna Kabanova

David Shears as Tihon Kabanov

Terah Tucker as Varvara

and Denis Daly as the Narrator, Shapkin, and Second Person.

Music composed and performed by Marty Krz.

Audio edited by Denis Daly.

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Collected and edited by Dorothy Scarborough

Narrated by Susan Iannucci, Marty Krz, Jennifer Fournier, and John Burlinson.

Dorothy Scarborough (1878-1935) was an academic and author who had a particular interest in the supernatural. The following collection, first published in 1921, features stories that have a strong comical or satirical focus. 

In the introduction, the anthologist notes:

The modern spook is possessed not only of humor but of a caustic satire as well. His jest is likely to have more than one point to it, and he can haunt so insidiously, can make himself so at home in his host’s study or bedroom that a man actually welcomes a chat with him – only to find out too late that his human foibles have been mercilessly flayed.

1. Introduction: “The Humorous Ghost” by Dorothy Scarborough

2. “The Ghost-Extinguisher” by Gelett Burgess

3. “The Transferred Ghost” by Frank R. Stockton

4. “The Mummy’s Foot by Théophile Gautier

5. “The Water Ghost of Harrowby Hall” by John Kendrick Bangs

6. “Back from that Bourne” by Anonymous

7. “The Ghost-Ship” by Richard Middleton

8. “The Transplanted Ghost” by Wallace Irwin

9. “The Last Ghost in Harmony” by Nelson Lloyd

10. “The Ghost of Miser Brimpson” by Eden Phillpotts

11. “The Haunted Photograph” by Ruth McEnery Stuart

12. “The Ghost that Got the Button” by Will Adams

13. “The Specter Bridegroom” by Washington Irving

14. “The Specter of Tappington” by Richard Barham

15. “In the Barn” by Burges Johnson

16. “A Shady Plot” by Elsie Brown

17. “The Lady and the Ghost” by Rose Cecil O’Neill

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Performed by The Online Stage 

A collection of one-acts by the Pulitzer-winning playwright, including Close the Book, Suppressed Desires, Tickless Time, Woman’s Honor, The People, and Trifles. 

Featuring the voices of Leanne Yau, Michelle Marie, Maureen Boutilier, Jennifer Fournier, Lee Ann Howlett, Ted Wenskus, Ken Foster, Amanda Friday, Larry Wilson, Alexa Sheppard, Marty Krz, Joseph Tabler, Ron Altman, Jeff Moon, Chris Marcellus, Mark Crowle-Groves, John Burlinson, Andy Harrington, and Denis Daly. 

Audio edited by Leanne Yau.

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The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton.

Presented by The Online Stage.

Set in early 20th century New York, Edith Wharton’s classic novel follows the changing fortunes of the beautiful Lily Bart, an impoverished socialite who relies on the kindness of rich friends to move in glamorous society. Lily and all her friends know that she must make a rich marriage to achieve financial security, but she is drawn to kindred spirit Lawrence Selden, a charming but decidedly middle-class lawyer. Will Lily survive in a world of predatory financiers and their ruthless wives?

Cast:

Narrator: Elizabeth Klett

Lily Bart: Amanda Friday

Lawrence Selden: Ted Wenskus

Sim Rosedale: Andy Harrington

Gerty Farish: Shaina Summerville

Mrs. Peniston: Sara Morsey

Carry Fisher: Arielle Lipshaw

Jack Stepney: Russell Gold

Ned Van Alstyne: Marty Krz

Bertha Dorset: P. J. Morgan

Mrs. Bart: Lee Ann Howlett

Judy Trenor: Jennifer Fournier

George Dorset: Jeff Moon

Gus Trenor: David Stifel

Gwen Stepney: Susan Iannucci

Grace Stepney: Grace Keller Scotch

Audio edited by Elizabeth Klett

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Charles Dickens’ classic Yuletide tale is one of the most popular tales of personal redemption in world literature, and has been adapted many times for presentation on film and on stage.

This dramatic reading features the voices of the Online Stage. All proceeds from the sale of this audiobook will be donated to Concerns of Police Survivors, a non-profit organization which provides support for the families of police officers who lose their lives in the line of duty.

The cast of narrators includes Bob Neufeld, Ron Altman, Ed Humpal, Alan Weyman, Elizabeth Klett, Chyanne Donnell, K. G. Cross, Evie Maria, Denis Daly, John Burlinson, Beth Thomas, Charlotte Duckett, Jeff Moon, Amanda Friday, Marty Krzywonos, Becca Maggie, Jennifer Fournier, and Brett Downey.

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A House of Pomegranates (1891) is a collection of four fairy tales by Oscar Wilde: “The Young King,” “The Birthday of the Infanta,” “The Fisherman and His Soul,” and “The Star Child.” These magical, beautiful, tragic, and cynical tales will charm listeners of any age. Narrated by Noel Badrian, and performed by a full cast.

Featuring the voices of Noel Badrian, Craig Franklin, Chris Marcellus, Lucy Peterson, Elizabeth Klett, Ron Altman, Miranda Hodges, John Burlinson, Denis Daly, Jennifer Fournier, Amanda Friday, Nancy German, Anna Grace, Erin Grassie, Lee Ann Howlett, Tyler Hyrchuk, Susan Iannucci, Michelle Marie, Nancy Peterson, David Prickett, Trisha Rose, Shirley Savage, Grace Keller Scotch, Joe Tabler, Mike Vendetti, Alan Weyman, and Larry Wilson.

Audio edited by Elizabeth Klett

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A terrorist on the run hides in a brothel. Desperate for respite after evading authorities for days, he hires a prostitute even though he has lived his life as a chaste man. The well-off idealistic young man and the poor woman doing what she can to survive clash but also inspire each other in this dark tale of failed dreams.

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This anthology of 140 poems, published in 1921, features the work of 97 British and American poets who were active in the early 20th century. Among the more famous names are John Masefield, Rupert Brooke, Walter de la Mare, William Butler Yeats, Robert Graves, Amy Lowell, Carl Sandburg, Edna St Vincent Millay, Joyce Kilmer and Witter Bynner.

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