Actor Ryan Hunt brought New Jersey native son Stephen Crane to life onstage in three performances in Crane’s hometown in a one-hour solo show November 16-17 at The Stephen Crane House, Asbury Park, NJ. Written by Phil Paradis. Directed by Janice Orlandi. Hosted by Asbury Park Historical Society and The Stephen Crane House. Produced by Friends of Stephen Crane and Actors & Playwrights Collaborative.
Photo: Ryan Hunt as Stephen Crane in EVENING WITH STEPHEN CRANE by Phil Paradis, directed by Janice Orlandi. Copyright 2019. Photo by Eoghan Francis Kiernan.
Asbury Park Audience Responses:
“What an amazing play! And the acting was phenomenal!”
“Fabulous play and acting!” — Dana McKay
“Excellent show. ” –Frank D’Alessandro
“Thank you so much for bringing your play to Asbury Park at Stephen Crane’s home. It was beyond good–and what an outstanding actor to portray Stephen Crane. It is certainly worthy of an even broader audience.” — Kay Harris
“Amazing performance and such an accurate and inspiring historical and literary encounter with one of my favorite authors and a New Jersey native! Thank you!” — Patty Forbes
“Informative play as well as entertaining. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of performance and would be interested in seeing more of these productions. A trip through time, a pocket in Asbury Park transported to another world. Not so common around here these days!”
“Wonderful getting acquainted with the REAL Stephen Crane.”
“I knew very little about the life and works of Stephen Crane (outside of The Red Badge of Courage). I learned so much from this performance. He led a very interesting life. Thank you!”
“Very well done. Educational. Intimate setting was perfect for the show. Performance was excellent. Loved costume and props. “
“A powerful night in the life of Stephen Crane.”
“The actor was A +++”
“Excellent! Great play! Great acting!”
Manhattan Audience Responses:
“Great script. Love it. I really felt I was there in the moment meeting him in his home.” — Larry Moss, Acting Coach
“Loved it. Great show!” — John DeSotelle, actor/acting coach
“What a substantive, dynamic production!” — Susan Rosenberg, trustee, Asbury Park Historical Society headquartered at the Stephen Crane House
“I learned a lot about Stephen Crane and his time period.”
“I felt like I met Stephen Crane the man.”
“I felt I was there in England!”
“Great acting. Loved the performance.”
“What a history lesson. Some of the same issues as today.”
**** Three Workshop Performances August 23-25, 2018! ****
Manhattan Repertory Theatre, 17-19 West 45th St., New York, NY
Desotelle Nubox Theatre, 754 9th Ave., New York, NY
A One-man Play
Starring Chris Ostrowski as ‘Stephen Crane’
Written by Phil Paradis
Directed by Janice Orlandi
One act, 50 minutes.
Experience The Red Badge of Courage author’s humor and charm. Hear his remarkable tales of shipwreck, Teddy Roosevelt and The Rough Riders, his life as a journalist, poet, novelist, and war correspondent. Learn how Crane became an early champion of Women’s Rights. Meet the man who inspired Ernest Hemingway and the “Lost Generation.”
Time: August, 1899
Place: Brede Place, East Sussex, United Kingdom
On this evening, Stephen Crane’s wife Cora has invited Americans traveling abroad to meet the American hero and famous author of The Red Badge of Courage. Although usually reserved, Crane interrupts his work and entertains guests with stories about The Red Badge of Courage, Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders, the Dora Clark Affair, as well as about his family, education, and literary career. Illuminating his life and times, Crane, the international celebrity, renowned novelist, poet, journalist, and war correspondent, reveals the humor, wit, and charm that made him famous and beloved among friends and contemporaries.
For more see https://www.facebook.com/TheRedBadgeAuthor/
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Falcon Theatre with Cincinnati LAB Theatre presented EVENING WITH STEPHEN CRANE by Phil Paradis, directed by Robert Allen, starring Stephen Marck as Stephen Crane. Three performances February 18, 19, & 20, 2016. Newport, KY One act. 75 minutes. With audience talk-back. Photos by Phil Paradis.
