WORDTheatre: Short Story Specialists

Jonathan Tel’s exquisite prize winning story, “The Human Phonograph,” details a woman’s feelings about and response to being reunited with her husband. Set in China, this harsh yet touching look at time lost, is a poignant love story that will leave listeners hopeful for new beginnings. Selina Lo’s tranquil performance highlights the main character’s composure in the face of rigidity and tragedy.

Maile Meloy’s “Two-Step” is a moving piece which explores shame, anger, guilt, and passion from perspectives both inside and outside of a marriage. The story is at once both fleeting and permanent, detailing conversations which are rich with tension and introspection, ultimately asking the question: how does the person you want to be differ from the person you are? Read by the brilliant Sarah Clarke, listen to the characters come alive in her emotionally connected performance. It’s truly worth your 20 minutes.

John Edgar Wideman’s “Witness: A Letter From France” is a story of mourning and anger which explores the tribulations of people of color in America. Eloquently and astutely traversing emotions associated with witnessing racial violence, Wideman doesn’t pose answers, but rather observations accessible to everyone. Join us in witnessing Gary Dourdan’s somber and powerful reading of this thought-provoking piece.

Disclaimer: This episode contains graphic language which some listeners may find disturbing. WORDTheatre often selects stories that are challenging, but we believe that it is important to share literature that takes on difficult topics. John Edgar Wideman’s “Lamentations” tells the story of a woman living through profound losses. Meandering through memory, the narrative explores religion, injustice, pain, and perseverance through the eyes of a woman learning what “lamentations” really are. Lynn Whitfield gives an honest and spirited voice to this powerful and harrowing American story.

You can feel the pain in Tod Goldberg’s heart-wrenching story Walls. It’s percussive prose sweeps you through childhood trauma to adulthood and back, through its persistence and its influence. The incredibly talented Gary Cole brings Goldberg’s poetic story to life in this week’s episode of the WORDTheatre podcast, introduced by the author.

In Pet, Deb Olin Unferth unearths what it means to care about someone else, and juggle that with caring about yourself. Even if that someone is just a turtle. It’s hard to know where your attention best lies, because we all deserve care and love, even the turtle. Brought to life by the wonderful C.C.H. Pounder, step into Pet by Deb Olin Unferth with WORDTheatre.

Laurie Notaro’s comic tale The Year I Ruined Christmas is the perfect holiday story to ring in Christmas. Tying together Christmases past and present, Notaro shows how even embarrassing stories can in their own way become family treasures, just like ornaments on the tree. Remembering those stories is just another great part of spending time with family during the holidays. Sally Brooks delivers all the laughs and tender moments of Laurie Notaro’s The Year I Ruined Christmas in this week’s episode of the WordTheatre podcast.

Mark Richard’s moving holiday story "The Birds for Christmas" captures the persistent magic of the holidays. At the vulnerable core of this story is the changing nature of joy, of finding true happiness in the happiness of others. It’s a story about giving back and how sometimes that isn’t enough. Step into Craig Bierko’s emphatic reading of Mark Richard’s the Birds for Christmas with WORDTheatre.