The Real Jefferson Davis

By Landon Knight

Narrated by Ron Altman

Jefferson Davis (1808 – 1889) was an American politician who became president of the Confederate States during the Civil War. He took his seat in Congress as the representative for Mississippi in 1847. As a Democrat, Davis was an enthusiastic supporter of the expansion of slavery. In 1861, he resigned from the Senate when the state of Mississippi seceded. During the Civil War, Davis acted as chief executive and commander in chief. After the war, he was captured and charged with treason. He was imprisoned for two years but was released under the terms of a general pardon from President Andrew Johnson before his case had come to court. In later years, he supported himself with speaking tours and involvement in various business enterprises.

Because of his aggressive advocacy for the continuation of slavery, today Davis is not generally viewed favourably. Many of the memorials to him have been removed in recent years. This disapprobation has obscured Davis’ undoubted abilities as a politician and the extent of his influence as a notable public figure of his time.

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Benjamin Franklin

By E. M. Tomkinson

Narrated by Ron Altman

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) is today best known as one of the founding fathers of the United States. However, he was a true polymath, active as an author, philosopher, social reformer, scientist, inventor, diplomat, and businessman. Franklin was also a man of principle, who, as the author of this engaging biography states: “He was one of the few people who can make plenty of good maxims and follow them.”

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Let Us Follow Him

by Henryk Sienkiewicz

Translated by Jeremiah Curtain

Narrated by Ron Altman

Henryk Sienkiewicz (1846 – 1916) is best known today for his substantial historical novels, the most famous of which is “Quo Vadis,” the idea for which came from the writing of “Let Us Follow Him.”

The period of the novella is that of the death of Christ. Antea, the wife of a Roman patrician, ill with terrible visions, is advised by a physician to seek the air of Jerusalem. There she and her husband meet Pilate, who tells them of the doctrine of the Nazarene, Jesus, and his condemnation to death. They are present at the Crucifixion, and Antea gives honor to the condemned Nazarene, saying, “Thou art Truth.”

Production copyright Ron Altman 2024

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Abraham Lincoln

By Ernest Foster

Narrated by Ron Altman

Even to this day Abraham Lincoln (1809 – 1865) remains the most loved and respected of all American presidents. In this heartfelt biography, Ernest Foster reprises the ever-inspiring story of the man who traveled from a log cabin to the White House and presided over one of the momentous periods of change in the nation’s history.

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The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, translated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, presented by The Online Stage.

Welcome to Dante’s The Divine Comedy, the ultimate journey to Paradise. Follow Italian writer and philosopher Dante Alighieri and his guide, the poet Virgil, through each circle of hell, over the mountain of Purgatory, and ultimately to Paradise, to be reunited with his beloved Beatrice. Dante meets many familiar faces among the sinners and the saved and learns many things of value throughout his long, dangerous journey.

Cast:

Dante – Josh Innerst

Virgil – David Stifel

Other Voices – Anna Grace, Erin Grassie, Marcia Dunbar, Chris Marcellus, Merete Mohs, Ted Wenskus, Trisha Rose, John Burlinson, Andy Harrington, Hann Lightwood, Rob Goll, Ron Altman, Alyssa Petrey, Andrew Coleman, Tyler Hyrchuk, Russell Gold, P. J. Morgan, Stephen Indrisano, Lee Ann Howlett, Jeff Moon, Rosie O’Toole, Marty Krz, J.D. Sutter, Ariana Mertz, Linda Barrans, and Grace Keller Scotch.

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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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The Online Stage presents The Iliad and The Odyssey by Homer.

The Iliad, set 9 years into the Trojan War, tells the story of the wrath of Achilles. The Odyssey tells the story of Odysseus as he wearily travels home from the war. The two epics provide the basis of Greek education and culture in the classical age. They have long remained among the most significant poems of European tradition. Produced here in full cast arrangement and narrated by Rob Goll, one can experience these age-old stories in a brand new way.

Featuring the voices of Rob Goll, Lance Rasmussen, Josh Innerst, Tyler Hyrchuk, Amanda Friday, Anna Grace, David Stifel, Jeff Moon, John Burlinson, Ted Wenskus, Lee Ann Howlett, Tom Saer, Nik Sliwerski, Marty Krz, Andy Harrington, Trisha Rose, Bob Gonzalez, Sydnee Fullmer, Stephen Indrisano, Lillian Rachel, Tomas Peter, Chris Marcellus, Russell Gold, Merete Mohs, Tim Sailer, Erin Grassie, Linda Barrans, Elizabeth Klett, Grace Keller Scotch, Ron Altman, Max Gallo, Andrew Coleman, Alan Weyman, and Michelle Marie.

This production is based on the prose translation by Samuel Butler.

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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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Sour Grapes: A Book of Poems

By William Carlos Williams

Narrated by Ron Altman

William Carlos Williams (1883-1963) was one of the most prominent members of the Imagist movement, a brief flowering of modernist poetry, in which Ezra Pound was also involved. Williams was also an accomplished painter and art critic.

Imagist verse is characterized by a distinct economy of verbiage and freedom of rhythm. 

Sour Grapes was his fourth collection of poetry and was published in 1921. As with much of Williams’ early works, critical acclaim was slow in coming. Today, the collection is considered to contain some of his most significant poems.

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Mark Ablett is hosting all his friends at his English country house when he receives a letter from his estranged brother, Robert, announcing Robert’s intention to arrive from Australia. Not long after his arrival, Robert turns up dead, his body found with a bullet wound to the head, and Mark is nowhere to be seen. Antony Gillingham and his friend, Bill Beverly, play Sherlock Holmes & Doctor Watson to solve this whodunnit mystery. This is Milne’s only mystery novel.

Cast:

Narrator – Elizabeth Klett

Antony Gillingham – Andy Harrington

Bill Beverly – Tyler Hyrchuk

Matthew Cayley – Josh Innerst

Mrs. Stevens – Liz Blackett

Audrey Stevens – Amber Hegarty

Elsie – Amanda Friday

Robert Ablett – Ben Lindsey-Clark

Major Rumbolt – Ron Altman

Betty Calladine – Ella Lynch

Ruth Norris – Lillian Rachel

Mark Ablett – Graham Scott

Old Gillingham – Alan Weyman

Landlady – Jennie VanderLugt

Landlord – Marty Krz

Mrs. Calladine – Sara Sheckells

Inspector Birch – Rob Goll

Parlour Maid – Sydnee Fullmer

Kitchen Maid – Leanne Yau

Angela Norbury – Anna Grace

Mrs. Norbury – Danielle Cohen

Andrew Amos – Andrew Coleman

Parsons – David Stifel

Coroner – Jeff Moon

John Borden – Lance Rasmussen

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Held at New York, on 27th October 1924

In a public debate held at the Manhattan Opera House, Clarence Darrow argued that not one of the 19 men under sentence of death at Sing Sing Prison would have been convicted if they could have afforded good attorneys. He was opposed by Judge Alfred J. Talley of General Sessions, who argued for the retention of the death penalty for murder. The debate commenced with an address by Lewis Lawes, who was the warden at Sing Sing.

Cast

Narrator: Lee Ann Howlett

Benjamin Javits – Announcer – Marty Krz

Lewis Lawes – Temporary Chairman – John Burlinson

Louis Marshall – Chairman – Marty Krz

Judge Alfred J. Talley – Debater (affirmative) – Ben Stevens

Clarence Darrow – Debater (negative) – Ron Altman

A Voice/chorus – Lee Ann Howlett

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Debate on Prohibition

Held at New York, on 14th December 1924

Under the auspices of the League for Political Discussion, in a meeting held at the Manhattan Opera House, Rev. John Haynes Holmes of the Community Church, taking the positive, and Clarence Darrow, taking the negative, debated the following proposition: “A Resolution that the United States should continue the policy of prohibition as defined in the 18th Amendment.” The meeting was chaired by Senator Royal S. Copeland and introduced by Benjamin Javits.

Cast

Narrator: Lee Ann Howlett

Benjamin Javits – Temporary Chairman – Marty Krz

Royal S. Copeland – Chairman – John Burlinson

Rev. John Haynes Holmes – Debater (affirmative) – Ben Stevens

Clarence Darrow – Debater (negative) – Ron Altman

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