Navigating Family, Part II
Stories on Stage—January 1 & 9 |
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“Notes to My Biographer”
In this story by Adam Haslett, we meet a 73-year-old engineer who makes a surprise visit to his estranged son and struggles to reconnect. It's read by Howard Witt.
“Notes to My Biographer” was part of “It's Just Your Imagination,” a program featuring stories about people living in a world of their own creation. It was directed by Abigail Deser as part of our 2004 live performance season. |
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Transitions
Stories on Stage—December 25 & January 2
Originally broadcast January 18, 2003 |
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We bring you two stories about transitions and elusive moments when people veer from the script of everyday life. Both were chosen by listeners as among the best presented over the course of our first ten seasons.
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“The Kugelmass Episode”
Written by Woody Allen and read by David Pasquesi, an intrepid young man places his love life in the hands of a magician—with disorienting results. “The Kugelmass Episode” was directed by Steve Scott.
Audio for this segment is unavailable. |
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“Why I Live at the P.O.”
In this Eudora Welty classic, a young girl at odds with her family decides to make a move of her own. Read by Peggy Roeder, the story was directed by Judy O'Malley. |
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From the “Best of Ten”
Stories on Stage—December 18 & 26
Originally broadcast December 21, 2002 |
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We feature two stories chosen by listeners as among the best presented over the course of our first ten seasons. They were directed by Judy O'Malley and Michael E. Myers. |
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“Mama’s Missionary Money”
Written by Chester Himes and read by Michael E. Myers, this is a tale of crime and punishment in which a young boy makes off with a quarter from his mother's missionary money purse and is later stopped cold with an important moral lesson. “Mama's Missionary Money” was originally presented during our first live performance season, in 1992. |
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“Season’s Greetings to Our Friends and Family!!!”
In this David Sedaris story, a seemingly innocent stock holiday letter from an all-too-typical American family takes a surprisingly dark turn. It's read by Nathalie West. |
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Conflict Resolution
Stories on Stage—December 11 & 19 |
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Two stories in which seemingly small problems spiral out of control |
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“The Bone of Contention”
We go to a town divided in this story written by Zora Neale Hurston and read by Daniel Bryant. It was featured in “When Wires Get Crossed,” a program directed by Cheryl Lynn Bruce as part of our 2004 live performance season. |
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“Reasonable Terms”
Written by Hannah Tinti and read by Wendi Weber, “Reasonable Terms” was presented as part of "It's Just Your Imagination," a program directed by Abigail Deser as part of our 2004 live performance season. |
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Twisted Hearts
Stories on Stage—December 4 & 12 |
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We take a guided tour of love's darker side: to the heart of a married painter longing for contact, through the rapturous imaginings of a single woman, and beneath the surface of a tragic affair. All three stories in this edition of our program were directed by Judy O'Malley as part of our 2004 live performance season. |
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“The Impressionist”
Written by Heidi Jon Schmidt and read by Maggie Carney, “The Impressionist” was commissioned by Stories on Stage for our 2004 special event, “Words of Art.” |
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“Blood”
Written by Sharon Solwitz and read by Martie Sanders |
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“The Model”
Written by Guy de Maupassant and read by Sean Fortunato |
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Man and Nature—Alone in the Wild
Stories on Stage—November 27 & December 5
Originally broadcast January 5, 2002 |
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“The Most Dangerous Game”
In Richard Connell's best-known story, the skills of a famous hunter are put to the test in a life-and-death game of
cat-and-mouse. It's read by Mark Montgomery. “The Most Dangerous Game” was featured in “Man and Nature—Alone in the Wild,” a program directed by Kate Buckley as part of our 2001 live performance season. |
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“The Use of Medicine”
One of five winners of our “Now Hear This” short story competition in 2001, Joe Meno's story tells of a brother and sister
whose seemingly innocent summer activity leads to a profound revelation. Lawrence MacGowen reads. “The Use of Medicine” was directed by Steve Scott as part of our 2001 live performance season. |
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Ties That Bind
Stories on Stage—November 20 & 28
Originally broadcast November 23, 2002 |
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“Lavanderia Moderna”
Written by Ian Morris, “Lavenderia Moderna” won our inaugural “Now Hear This” short story competition in 2001. It was read by Rengin Altay and directed by Judy O'Malley as part of our 2002 live performance season. |
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“Pet Milk”
We follow a man's fond recollection of moments long past in this story written by Stuart Dybek and read by Mike Nussbaum. “Pet Milk” was featured in “The Best of Ten,” a series of all-time favorite Stories on Stage pieces. It was directed by Steve Scott as part of our 2002 live performance season. |
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“The Drunkard”
A family copes with the specter of alcoholism, and when a son and father visit the pub, the results surprise everyone. “The Drunkard” was written by Frank O'Connor and read by Lawrence MacGowan. It was directed by Edward Sobel as part of our 2002 live performance season. |
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Labors of the Heart
Stories on Stage—November 13 & 21 |
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“Labors of the Heart”
We devote the entire hour to this story written by Claire Davis and read by Susan Osborne-Mott. “Labors of the Heart” was part of “Life on the Fringe,” a program featuring stories about the art of being different. It was directed by Steve Scott as part of our 2004 live performance season. |
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Passages
Stories on Stage—November 6 & 14
Originally broadcast November 16, 2002 |
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“The Wedding”
A couple moves toward marriage with visible trepidation, trying to decide whether or not to take the leap of faith that love requires. “The Wedding” was written by Joy Williams and read by Andrew White. It was featured in “Funny Funerals and Other Solemn Occasions,” a program directed by Edward Sobel as part of our 2002 live performance season. |
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“The Mourning Door”
Written by Elizabeth Graver and read by Annabel Armour, this haunting and surreal story follows one woman's course through the disquieting world of infertility. “The Mourning Door” was also featured in “Funny Funerals and Other Solemn Occasions,” a program directed by Edward Sobel as part of our 2002 live performance season. |
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Navigating Family, Part One
Stories on Stage—October 23 & November 7 |
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“The Kids’ Guide to Divorce”
In this story written by Lorrie Moore and read by Julie Mann, we travel into the mind of a child. “The Kids' Guide to Divorce” was featured in a program devoted exclusively to the works of Lorrie Moore. It was co-directed by Michael E. Myers and Abigail Deser as part of our 2004 live performance season. |
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“Songbirds”
Judy Blue reads this story written by Heidi Jon Schmidt. “Songbirds” was part of “Twisted Hearts,” a program directed by Judy O'Malley as part of our 2004 live performance season. |
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Living Out the Fantasy
Stories on Stage—October 17 & 30
Originally broadcast October 26, 2002 |
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“Prodigy on Ice”
A wife and mother pursues her fantasy of becoming an Olympic ice skater in this story by Melanie Hauser. It's read by Karin McKie. “Prodigy on Ice” was a winner of the 2001 Stories on Stage “Now Hear This” short story competition. It was directed by Michael E. Myers as part of our 2002 live performance season.
Melanie Hauser is author of the novel, Confessions of a Super Mom (Dutton, 2006). |
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“You Get One Chance”
In this story specially written for Stories on Stage by Sharon Solwitz and read by Ann Noble, a woman tries on the shoes and socks of a professional escort. “You Get One Chance” was part of our 2002 special event, “Connecting the Socks,” for which we commissioned three authors to write stories for us based on the opening line, “It wasn't until she got out into the sunlight that she realized her socks didn't match, but somehow she wasn't surprised.” The program was directed by Judy O'Malley. |
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Expectations
Stories on Stage—October 16 & 24 |
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“Got Spirit”
A woman recalls her high school cheerleading squad in this story written by Judy Budnitz and read by Greta Honold. “Got Spirit” was featured in “The Sweet Voices of Youth,” a program of coming-of-age stories directed by Michael E. Myers as part of our 2004 live performance season.
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“My Father, Dancing”
As written by Bliss Broyard and read by E.J. Murray, the woman in this story remembers her father at the end of his life. “My Father, Dancing” was featured in “When Wires Get Crossed,” a program directed by Cheryl Lynn Bruce as part of our 2004 live performance season. |
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Another Year Older
Stories on Stage—October 2 & 10
Originally broadcast November 2, 2002 |
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“Eleven”
Written by Sandra Cisneros and read by Sandra Delgado, “Eleven” is told from the point of view of an exuberant, just-turned-11-year-old who discovers that being 11 includes being a lot of other things as well. The story was featured in “Another Year Older,” a program directed by Steve Scott as part of our 2002 live performance season. |
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“The Birthday Present”
An American woman living outside of Milan chooses a surprising and unusual birthday present for her Italian husband. This story, written by Andrea Lee, is read by Jenny McKnight. “The Birthday Present” was also featured in the program “Another Year Older” during our 2002 live performance season. |
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Stories on Stage—September 25 & October 3 |
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“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”
Larry Neumann, Jr., reads James Thurber's classic in which an ostensibly mild-mannered and henpecked husband is leading something of a double life. The story was presented as part of “It's Just Your Imagination,” a program about people living in a world of their own creation. It was directed by Abigail Deser as part of our 2004 live performance season. |
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“In Dreams Begin Responsibilities”
Here's another classic short story, written by Delmore Schwartz and read by Marc Grapey. “In Dreams Begin Responsibilities” was featured in “I'm a Stranger Here Myself,” a program about estrangement and homecoming. It was directed by Edward Sobel and presented for the Nextbook Writers Series, which promotes Jewish literature and culture. |
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“The New World”
Written by Esther Singer Kreitman and read by Hanna Dworkin, “The New World” offers an unusual narrator with an unusual perspective. This story was also featured in “I'm a Stranger Here Myself,” a program about estrangement and homecoming. It was directed by Edward Sobel and presented for the Nextbook Writers Series, which promotes Jewish literature and culture. |
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Stories on Stage—September 18 & 26 |
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“Rothschild’s Fiddle”
Anton Chekhov's woeful tale of Yakov Ivanov is read by Mike Nussbaum. The story was presented as part of our 2004 live performance season.
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“The Key”
Written by Isaac Bashevis Singer, “The Key” is read by Margaret Kustermann. The story was featured during our 2004 live performance season in “I'm a Stranger Here Myself,” a program about estrangement and homecoming. It was directed by Edward Sobel and presented as part of the Nextbook Writers Series, which promotes Jewish literature and culture. |
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An Evening of Lorrie Moore
Stories on Stage—September 11 & 19 |
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These stories were part of a special program devoted to the work of Lorrie Moore, one of the country's most celebrated short story authors. They were directed by Michael E. Myers and Abigail Deser as part of our 2004 live performance season. |
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Individual segments are available below |
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“Agnes of Iowa”
Agnes is not entirely at home in her native Iowa when a foreign visitor and a visit to New York offer glimpses of what she might be missing. The story is read by Kate Fry. |
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“Starving Again”
Two friends unlucky in love react to their similar circumstances with decidedly dissimilar strategies. The story is read by Joe Foust. |
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Carpe Diem
Stories on Stage—September 4 & 12
Originally broadcast 11.09.02 |
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“Gryphon”
In this story written by Charles Baxter, a very curious substitute teacher finds out what happens when she chooses to ignore the rules. It's read by Scott Parkinson. “Gryphon” was directed by Abigail Deser as part of our 2002 live performance season. |
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“The End of FIRPO in the World”
We follow a neighborhood outcast on a bike ride around his neighborhood. “The End of FIRPO in the World” was written by native Chicagoan George Saunders and read by Joe Foust. The story was directed by Abigail Deser as part of our 2002 live performance season.
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Coming of Age Tales
Stories on Stage—August 28 & September 5 |
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“The Rockpile”
In this James Baldwin story, two brothers contemplate the goings on just below their fire escape on the streets of New York.
It's read by Tab Hunter. “The Rockpile” was part of “The Sweet Voices of Youth,” a program celebrating the art of growing up. It was directed by Michael E. Myers as part of our 2004 live performance season. |
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“The Knowing”
Mickey grapples with the ways in which his mother's unusual insight dramatically affects the lives of everyone around them. “The Knowing” is written by Tananarive Due and read by Reginald Jackson. The story was part of “The Sweet Voices of Youth,” a program celebrating the art of growing up. It was directed by Michael E. Myers as part of our 2004 live performance season. |
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Hoping to Connect
Stories on Stage—August 21 and 29
originally broadcast 1.11.03 |
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“Notes from a Lady at a Dinner Party”
In this story written by Bernard Malamud and read by Kevin Theis, a guest at a dinner party has a surprising exchange with the wife of his former professor. It was directed by Judy O'Malley as part of our 2002 live performance season. |
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“Letter to the Lady of the House”
After a marital quarrel on the eve of his 70th birthday, the narrator of this story composes a late-night letter to his wife, providing an intimate glimpse into their marriage and into the moments that bond couples together or tear them apart. “Letter to the Lady of the House” was written by Richard Bausch and read by Howard Witt. It was directed by Steve Scott as part of our 2002 live performance season. |
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Life’s Little Victories
Stories on Stage—August 14 & 22
originally broadcast 12.28.02 |
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“My Man Bovanne”
Written by Toni Cade Bambara and read by Cheryl Lynn Bruce, we hear the story of a spirited woman who ignores the advice of her overzealous children about how to behave. It was part of a program directed by Abigail Deser as part of our 2002 live performance season.
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“The Baby Party”
Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald and read by Rob Riley, here's a story in which a minor children's skirmish becomes the catalyst for a much larger adult scuffle. It was part of a program directed by Judy O'Malley as part of our 2002 live performance season. |
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Opening Doors
Stories on Stage—August 7 & 15 |
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“The Selfish Giant”
Written by Oscar Wilde and read by David Parkes, this fairy tale is an old-fashioned bedtime story.
It was featured in “From Page to Stage,” a program of stories written by master playwrights. It was directed by Edward Sobel as part of our 2004 live performance season. |
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“Flatiron”
Inspired by the Gustave Caillebotte painting, Paris Street, Rainy Day, this story was specially written for Stories on Stage by Elizabeth Graver. It's read by Lia Mortensen. “Flatiron” was part of our 2004 special event, “Words of Art,” for which we commissioned three authors to write stories for us based on the Caillebotte painting, which hangs at the Art Institute of Chicago. “Words of Art” was directed by Judy O'Malley. |
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Past/Present
Stories on Stage—July 31 & August 8
originally broadcast 12.7.02 |
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An Excerpt from Fugitive Days
Bill Ayers cofounded the '60s radical activist group, the Weather Underground. In this passage from his autobiography, read by Sean Fortunato, we hear about Ayers's participation in the 1969 Days of Rage and his ensuing flight from the Chicago police. This reading was featured in “Where's the Party?”, a program of true accounts from the 1960s and 1970s. It was directed by Cheryl Lynn Bruce as part of our 2002 live performance season. |
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“Way Finding”
Written by Susan Messer and read by Mary Ann Thebus, “Way Finding” was one of the winners of our 2001 short story competition, “Now Hear This.” It was also a finalist in the 2000 Nelson Algren Competition. The story was directed by Abigail Deser as part of our 2002 live performance season.
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From the Outside Looking In
Stories on Stage—July 24 & August 1 |
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“The Outcasts of Poker Flat”
Written by Bret Harte and read by Rob Riley, here's the story of a hard gambling man who tries his luck with fate and winds up displaced. This story was featured in "Life on the Fringe," a program celebrating the art of being different. It was directed by Steve Scott and part of our 2004 Live Performance Season.
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“French Lessons”
Written by Suzanne Glass and read by Kevin Theis, this story weaves together the past, the present, and the Gustave Caillebotte painting, Paris Street; Rainy Day. This story was featured in "Words of Art," a program of specially-commissioned stories incorporating the Art Institute of Chicago's painting, Paris Street; Rainy Day by Gustave Caillebotte. It was a special event of our 2004 Live Performance Season. |
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Returns and Exchanges
Stories on Stage—July 17 & 25
originally broadcast 10.27.02 |
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“Returns and Exchanges”
Written by Elizabeth Berg and read by Susan Osborne-Mott, this story deals with the way in which we reconcile dreams and reality. The story was featured in “Connecting the Socks,” a program of works specially commissioned by Stories on Stage. It was directed by Judy O'Malley and launched our 2002 Live Performance season.
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“The Disappearance”
Written by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni and read by Anish Jethmalani, we hear about the unexpected revolt of an unhappy immigrant wife. This story was featured in “In Our Last Episode.” It was directed by Michael E. Myers and part of our 2002 Live Performance season. |
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Getting from Here to There
Stories on Stage—July 10 & 18, 2004 |
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“Nobody Listens When I Talk”
Written by Annette Sanford and read by Julie Granata, we hear the musings of a 16-year-old girl struggling with all that comes with being an adolescent. This story was featured in “Life on the Fringe,” a program celebrating the art of being different. It was directed by Steve Scott and part of our 2004 Live Performance season. |
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“Nineteen Fifty-five”
Written by Alice Walker and read by Jacqueline Williams, we travel to the South in 1955, when a song launches an unusual, two-decade-long relationship between an unknown black songwriter and a white, male singer. This story was featured in “When Wires Get Crossed,” a program about missed or mis- communication. It was directed by Cheryl Lynn Bruce and part of our 2004 Live Performance season. |
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