TOURING SHOWS & LECTURES
Phil Pizzi as Will Rogers
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Gayle Stahlhuth performing tales for Christmas
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Derrick McQueen who performs PAUL ROBESON THROUGH HIS WORDS AND MUSIC
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Michele LaRue performing SOMEONE MUST WASH THE DISHES
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LECTURES
THE SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT
Presented by Michele LaRue, usually after her presentation of SOMEONE MUST WASH THE DISHES.
THE SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT
Presented by Michele LaRue, usually after her presentation of SOMEONE MUST WASH THE DISHES.
THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
Stephanie Garrett explains how the arts and creativity exploded in the 1920's in Harlem,
including the work of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston.
Stephanie Garrett explains how the arts and creativity exploded in the 1920's in Harlem,
including the work of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston.
HISTORY OF AMERICAN THEATER
Presented by Gayle Stahlhuth
Usually there is interest in a particular theatrical era or theater personality, but the lecture can also be an
overview of theater from the 1860's - 1960's. For those wishing more of a hands-on approach, participants can
even be given selections from scripts to read aloud. Recent lecture: American Theater History from 1865-1930.
Presented by Gayle Stahlhuth
Usually there is interest in a particular theatrical era or theater personality, but the lecture can also be an
overview of theater from the 1860's - 1960's. For those wishing more of a hands-on approach, participants can
even be given selections from scripts to read aloud. Recent lecture: American Theater History from 1865-1930.
WOMEN OF THE AMERICAN THEATER 1910 - 1930
Prepared and Presented by Gayle Stahlhuth
For over 25 years, Gayle has studied American theater history and for this lecture, focuses on these incredible women who wrote, performed, and/or produced: Rachel Crothers (1878-1958), Susan Glaspell (1976-1948), Alice Gerstenberg (1885-1972), Mary P. Burrill (1881-1946), Zona Gale (1974-1938), Eva Le Gallienne (1899-1991), Maurine Dallas Watkins (1896-1869), and Edna Ferber (1897-1968). Gayle will also be reading brief selections from plays written by Crothers, Glaspell, and Watkins.
Prepared and Presented by Gayle Stahlhuth
For over 25 years, Gayle has studied American theater history and for this lecture, focuses on these incredible women who wrote, performed, and/or produced: Rachel Crothers (1878-1958), Susan Glaspell (1976-1948), Alice Gerstenberg (1885-1972), Mary P. Burrill (1881-1946), Zona Gale (1974-1938), Eva Le Gallienne (1899-1991), Maurine Dallas Watkins (1896-1869), and Edna Ferber (1897-1968). Gayle will also be reading brief selections from plays written by Crothers, Glaspell, and Watkins.
PERFORMANCES
EVE’S DIARY "No, don’t go, please! I’ve needed to talk to You for a long time. I know You’ve been watching our
every move because I’ve felt like an experiment. An experiment and nothing more,” says Eve to God at the
beginning of EVE’S DIARY. Using two works by Mark Twain, "Eve's Diary" and the “Eve” sections in
Letters from Earth, Gayle Stahlhuth created a humorous and heartbreaking account of Adam and Eve.
She has performed it in solo festivals, like Womenkind in NYC, and for theater companies.
“Diary abounds with wit and charm.” -The Tribeca Trib (NYC)
ONE STEP AT A TIME Many have been caregivers at one time or another, and each has a story to tell. This is the
tale of what it was like for Gayle Stahlhuth, whose husband, Lee O’Connor was diagnosed with cancer on
October 1, 2019, and breathed his last on March 21, 2021. It contains the usual disappointments and not-looked-for
ugly surprises along the way, but this monologue is also about hope and joy and living life to the fullest by not letting cancer define what “living” is all about: It’s being aware of the moments and taking it "one step at a time." A portion
of the script was selected to be performed at Premiere Stages in April 2024 and Gayle presented the revised version
at Cape May Stage in October 2024.
MARGARET’S DIARY DURING A REVOLUTION, written and performed by Gayle Stahlhuth. Margaret Morris was a Quaker widow living with her children in Burlington, NJ, before and during the ten days that changed the course of the American Revolution, beginning with the Continental Army winning the Battle of Trenton on Christmas Day 1776. This one-woman play is based on her diary that she kept during these events. Mrs. Morris and her neighbors, living not far from Trenton, never knew who would be coming to town: British Regulars, Hessians, or members of the Continental Army. While patrolling the Delaware River, sometimes the Pennsylvania Navy would shoot at locals, thinking them to be Hessians, and come ashore to search homes for Tories. When cannon fire was heard, the people in Burlington didn’t always know who was firing at whom. Daily routines for the townsfolk were completely upended.
PAUL ROBESON THROUGH HIS WORDS AND MUSIC, performed by Derrick McQueen and written by Gayle Stahlhuth, is an interweaving of two dozen songs that were sung by New Jersey native, Robeson, with a narrative of his life as an actor, singer, activist, and humanitarian. Derrick has performed it at venues including Crossroads Theater and Newark PAC as part of NJ Theatre Alliance's Stages Festival, the Wildwood Convention Center for an NAACP fundraiser, The Puffin Foundation, and as a fundraiser at North Carolina Stage Company in Asheville, NC.
“Derrick's presentation of “Paul Robeson” Sunday night was a great success. We had a full house, earning $5,000
for Homeward Bound. Attendees were focused, attentive, participatory when invited, and truly appreciative of
Derrick's gifts and energy. Many people were shocked to learn of the viciousness of Robeson's treatment by his
own government and perhaps even more shocked that they hadn't ever heard of Paul Robeson when they thought
of themselves as well educated people -- and they are!” - D'Etta Leach, Volunteer for Homeward Bound, and liaison for this performance at North Carolina Stage Company in Asheville
SHERLOCK HOLMES ADVENTURES in the style of the original 1930’s NBC radio series, with live sound
effects and commercials, were performed for 20 years as part of East Lynne Theater Company's seasons,
and were also popular touring shows. Adventures offered are
The Copper Beeches, The Norwood Builder, The Red-Headed League, The Speckled Band, and The Blue Carbuncle.
“This excellent group brings Holmes to life!” - Ocean City Sentinel (NJ)
SOMEONE MUST WASH THE DISHES, performed by Michele LaRue, is a humorous satire by Suffragist
Marie Howe, originally published by the National American Woman Suffrage Association in 1913.
This popular performance is part of Michèle LaRue's own series, TALES WELL TOLD
For More Information about other tales she offers, visit: http://www.michelelarue.com
"Michele LaRue is all innocence when stating that if women were awarded suffrage, they'd
have no impact on the vote, anyway." - The Star-Ledger (NJ)
WILL ROGERS TONIGHT!, with Phil Pizzi portraying the famous radio personality, newspaper columnist, movie star, author, part Cherokee, and philanthropist, as he's on a lecture tour in 1935. Created by Gayle Stahlhuth, who also directed, the words are those of Rogers himself. Touched with laugh-out-loud humor throughout, topics include his performing in the Ziegfeld Follies, life in Los Angeles, and encounters with famous people. Having covered political conventions and Congress as a reporter, his take on politics is timeless, making similar statements over 75 years ago that we hear today. His syndicated column, started in 1922, was read in 2,800 newspapers and his wit, wisdom and understanding of the human condition is often compared to that of Mark Twain.
TALES OF THE VICTORIANS, short-story classics read by members of the company, have entertained
audiences of all ages on porches of B&Bs, in schools, museums, theaters, and parlors. These
include our popular Poe by Candlelight, as well as tales focusing on other authors. We have stories for
all occasions, including Christmas, and tales focusing on the Civil War, Western Expansion, World War I,
The Roaring Twenties, The Great Depression, and World War II.
“The Bret Harte story was one more warmth-producing Yule log on the holiday fire." - Cape May Star & Wave (NJ)
For the full review in "Exit Zero" of "Christmas with O. Henry" click here.
This performance was completely memorized - not a reading.
EVE’S DIARY "No, don’t go, please! I’ve needed to talk to You for a long time. I know You’ve been watching our
every move because I’ve felt like an experiment. An experiment and nothing more,” says Eve to God at the
beginning of EVE’S DIARY. Using two works by Mark Twain, "Eve's Diary" and the “Eve” sections in
Letters from Earth, Gayle Stahlhuth created a humorous and heartbreaking account of Adam and Eve.
She has performed it in solo festivals, like Womenkind in NYC, and for theater companies.
“Diary abounds with wit and charm.” -The Tribeca Trib (NYC)
ONE STEP AT A TIME Many have been caregivers at one time or another, and each has a story to tell. This is the
tale of what it was like for Gayle Stahlhuth, whose husband, Lee O’Connor was diagnosed with cancer on
October 1, 2019, and breathed his last on March 21, 2021. It contains the usual disappointments and not-looked-for
ugly surprises along the way, but this monologue is also about hope and joy and living life to the fullest by not letting cancer define what “living” is all about: It’s being aware of the moments and taking it "one step at a time." A portion
of the script was selected to be performed at Premiere Stages in April 2024 and Gayle presented the revised version
at Cape May Stage in October 2024.
MARGARET’S DIARY DURING A REVOLUTION, written and performed by Gayle Stahlhuth. Margaret Morris was a Quaker widow living with her children in Burlington, NJ, before and during the ten days that changed the course of the American Revolution, beginning with the Continental Army winning the Battle of Trenton on Christmas Day 1776. This one-woman play is based on her diary that she kept during these events. Mrs. Morris and her neighbors, living not far from Trenton, never knew who would be coming to town: British Regulars, Hessians, or members of the Continental Army. While patrolling the Delaware River, sometimes the Pennsylvania Navy would shoot at locals, thinking them to be Hessians, and come ashore to search homes for Tories. When cannon fire was heard, the people in Burlington didn’t always know who was firing at whom. Daily routines for the townsfolk were completely upended.
PAUL ROBESON THROUGH HIS WORDS AND MUSIC, performed by Derrick McQueen and written by Gayle Stahlhuth, is an interweaving of two dozen songs that were sung by New Jersey native, Robeson, with a narrative of his life as an actor, singer, activist, and humanitarian. Derrick has performed it at venues including Crossroads Theater and Newark PAC as part of NJ Theatre Alliance's Stages Festival, the Wildwood Convention Center for an NAACP fundraiser, The Puffin Foundation, and as a fundraiser at North Carolina Stage Company in Asheville, NC.
“Derrick's presentation of “Paul Robeson” Sunday night was a great success. We had a full house, earning $5,000
for Homeward Bound. Attendees were focused, attentive, participatory when invited, and truly appreciative of
Derrick's gifts and energy. Many people were shocked to learn of the viciousness of Robeson's treatment by his
own government and perhaps even more shocked that they hadn't ever heard of Paul Robeson when they thought
of themselves as well educated people -- and they are!” - D'Etta Leach, Volunteer for Homeward Bound, and liaison for this performance at North Carolina Stage Company in Asheville
SHERLOCK HOLMES ADVENTURES in the style of the original 1930’s NBC radio series, with live sound
effects and commercials, were performed for 20 years as part of East Lynne Theater Company's seasons,
and were also popular touring shows. Adventures offered are
The Copper Beeches, The Norwood Builder, The Red-Headed League, The Speckled Band, and The Blue Carbuncle.
“This excellent group brings Holmes to life!” - Ocean City Sentinel (NJ)
SOMEONE MUST WASH THE DISHES, performed by Michele LaRue, is a humorous satire by Suffragist
Marie Howe, originally published by the National American Woman Suffrage Association in 1913.
This popular performance is part of Michèle LaRue's own series, TALES WELL TOLD
For More Information about other tales she offers, visit: http://www.michelelarue.com
"Michele LaRue is all innocence when stating that if women were awarded suffrage, they'd
have no impact on the vote, anyway." - The Star-Ledger (NJ)
WILL ROGERS TONIGHT!, with Phil Pizzi portraying the famous radio personality, newspaper columnist, movie star, author, part Cherokee, and philanthropist, as he's on a lecture tour in 1935. Created by Gayle Stahlhuth, who also directed, the words are those of Rogers himself. Touched with laugh-out-loud humor throughout, topics include his performing in the Ziegfeld Follies, life in Los Angeles, and encounters with famous people. Having covered political conventions and Congress as a reporter, his take on politics is timeless, making similar statements over 75 years ago that we hear today. His syndicated column, started in 1922, was read in 2,800 newspapers and his wit, wisdom and understanding of the human condition is often compared to that of Mark Twain.
TALES OF THE VICTORIANS, short-story classics read by members of the company, have entertained
audiences of all ages on porches of B&Bs, in schools, museums, theaters, and parlors. These
include our popular Poe by Candlelight, as well as tales focusing on other authors. We have stories for
all occasions, including Christmas, and tales focusing on the Civil War, Western Expansion, World War I,
The Roaring Twenties, The Great Depression, and World War II.
“The Bret Harte story was one more warmth-producing Yule log on the holiday fire." - Cape May Star & Wave (NJ)
For the full review in "Exit Zero" of "Christmas with O. Henry" click here.
This performance was completely memorized - not a reading.
