More true crime on Audible!

My latest recording just landed on Audible.  Another true crime book from WildBlue Press.  Raging On by Paula May is a sequel to her book First Degree Rage.  

"From the author of First Degree Rage: The True Story of "The Assassin", an Obsession, and Murder comes the ongoing and chilling true crime saga of L. C. Underwood, the obsessively jealous police officer from North Carolina who shocked an entire city with his unsuspected reign of terror in the lives of his ex-fiancé Kay Weden, a woman he refused to let go, her son Jason whom he despised, and her mother Catherine Miller who got in his way. Underwood arrogantly evades justice for his heinous crimes until Detective Paula May and her investigative team uncovers who he really is, and he is found guilty of the First Degree Kidnapping and Murder of Viktor Gunnarsson, Kay’s new boyfriend. But is Underwood also responsible for the brutal murder of Catherine Miller that occurred mere days after Gunnarsson’s demise?

Sentenced to life in prison plus 40 years, Underwood has no intention of staying in prison, and vows not to stop until he exacts revenge on those he blames for his current predicament. His thirst for revenge will not be quenched until more blood is shed. Underwood rages on, plotting his next move, enlisting others to perform the evil deeds he imagines. Wreaking havoc in the lives of Kay, Jason, Detective May, and others, he sends them all on an emotional roller coaster ride that never seems to end. Will they ever find peace? Will Catherine Miller’s murderer ever be brought to justice? Will Underwood’s reign of terror ever come to an end?"

To listen to the sample and/or purchase the book, head to Audible here.

A memoir of a marriage now on Audible

 

My latest recording to hit Audible -- Can This Marriage Be Saved? A Memoir is by Nancy McCabe.  

"In this warm, deeply-personal, and often humorous book, Nancy McCabe re-examines and gains new understanding of her early life and her ill-advised marriage. Borrowing from Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights and Kafka’s “Metamorphosis”, how-to essays and before-and-after weight loss ads, a curriculum guide, Bible study notes, an obsession with Tom Swiftie jokes, and women’s magazine columns and quizzes that oversimplified women’s lives and choices, McCabe examines the many influences that led to her youthful marriage - and out of it, into finally taking control of her life."

To listen to a sample and/or purchase the book, head to Audible here.

 

A new true crime title on Audible!

Whoa. Long time, no blog. I'm in one of the occupations that the Corona virus hasn't had much of an impact on.  Narrators mostly work from home in our own studios so it's been business as usual for me.  However, there's been a serious backlog at Audible since the holidays.  My latest recording to go on sale has been in the queue since late January but finally hit Audible a few days ago.

This one is part true crime and part memoir. Mothers & Murderers: A True Story of Love, Lies, Obsession...And Second Chances is by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Katherine Ellison.


"Mothers & Murderers: A True Story of Love, Lies, Obsession...and Second Chances takes listeners on a wild tragicomic ride from the criminal courtrooms of California’s Silicon Valley to the Himalayan mountains of Pakistan to the deserts of Ethiopia.

In delightful, insightful prose, Ellison reflects on her mistakes and her triumphs as she weaves together the stories of how her Pulitzer Prize-winning career almost ended before it began, how she nearly missed marrying the love of her life, and how she unwittingly got drawn into a stranger-than-fiction murder case.

Rich in drama and self-reflection, replete with unique characters - including two bumbling hitmen, a rodeo-riding prosecutor, a flamboyant Beverly Hills defense attorney, and a charismatic stay-at-home mother-of-three who is keeping outrageous secrets - Mothers and Murderers is a mashup of Fargo, Body Heat, and Eat, Pray, Love.

It's guaranteed to make you laugh, cry - and think."

To listen to the sample or purchase the book, head to Audible here. 

A New True-Crime Book and a Full-Cast Radio Play

Just had two new books published on Audible.

First up is a true crime story that occurred just after the beginning of the 1900s in New York City.  The Belle of Bedford Avenue: The Sensational Brooks-Burns Murder in Turn-of-the-Century New York is by Virginia A. McConnell.

"At the turn of the 20th century, many affluent Brooklyn teens and young adults were bucking the constraints of their immigrant parents and behaving badly: drinking, having sex, staying out all night, stealing, scamming local businesses, and engaging in other more serious activities.

When 20-year-old Walter Brooks was murdered in a seedy Manhattan hotel in 1902, the ensuing court case was front-page news throughout the country. The hearings featured testimonies about these young people’s secret lives that shocked parents and inspired much editorial commentary in the newspapers. From start to finish, the case was viewed as a cautionary tale for parents, for boys who could be led astray, and for girls who risked their reputations to be popular.

Set against the colorful backdrop of Coney Island, roadhouses, forbidden dance halls, and vaudeville, The Belle of Bedford Avenue follows the young woman at the heart of the case from her trial for the murder of Walter Brooks to her adulthood.

The crime itself, interestingly, occurred in the location of Ground Zero and today’s September 11 Memorial. The trial was conducted by William Travers Jerome, who went on to become a legendary New York City prosecutor."

To listen to the sample and/or purchase the book, head to Audible here.

The second book is a full-cast radio play that I participated in as a member of Voices of Today.  Down With My Demons is by Josh Bourne.  I play the character of Jael.


"Ten years after a tragic incident on the lake, an AA meeting in a small, religious town in the deep south of the USA descends into bitterness and chaos when a flood hits. Trapped within the local church, tempers escalate and well-buried secrets begin to emerge. Personalities clash, reputations are dissected and questioned, and everybody's demons are laid bare.  Cast:
Vincent - Andy Harrington
Pastor Talbot - Jeff Moon
Samuel - John Burlinson
Delilah - Amanda Friday
Jael - Lee Ann Howlett
Audio edited by Leanne Yau."

To listen to the sample and/or purchase this one, you can find it on Audible here.

My latest recording -- a classic mystery -- now on Audible!

My latest solo just went up for sale on Audible.  I recorded The Circular Study by Anna Katharine Green as a member of Voices of Today.  Publication is via Spoken Realms. 


"A man is found dead in the study of his New York City house and Detective Gryce is called upon to deduce the how and why of his murder - if it is indeed a murder.

With the assistance of Miss Amelia Butterworth, Gryce must investigate the meaning of the meager clues, including the cries of a talking bird, in order to uncover what happened to the victim.  Solving this crime will involve several generations of two families.

Author Anna Katharine Green was often referred to as 'the mother of the detective novel' and was an early influence on Agatha Christie."

To listen to the sample and/or purchase the book, head to Audible here.

New classic recordings now on Audible!

My two latest recordings went on sale on Audible today.  The first one is a three narrator production of A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle.  I performed the voices of the American characters.  Very happy to be a part of Voices of Today.

From Audible:

"A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Narrated by Linda Barrans, Cate Barratt, and Lee Ann Howlett.

Consulting detective Sherlock Holmes is first introduced to the reading and listening public in A Study in Scarlet, along with his soon-to-be fellow sleuth Dr. John Watson. First published in 1887, the novel is one of only four full-length works by the author in his original canon of Holmes cases. The murders in question are committed in London, but the actions leading up to them were perpetrated in America, calling for a transcontinental narration of this most interesting story."

To listen to the sample and/or purchase the book, head to Audible here.

Next up is a full-cast production from The Online Stage.   I play the narrator in Little Men by Louisa May Alcott.  This is our second production in the beloved series by Alcott.  It follows book one  --  Little Women.


"Published in 1871, Little Men is a sequel to the novel, Little Women. It tells the continuing story of Jo March, who has married Professor Bhaer, with whom she now runs a small school.   
Cast
Narrator: Lee Ann Howlett
Ragged Boy/Nat/Uncle Teddy: Andy Harrington
John/Emil/Comodore/Silas/Peter: Jeff Moon
Servant maid/Mary Ann/Nan: Leanne Yau 
Tommy Bangs/Dick/Nursey/Asia/Meg: P J Morgan
Demi/Kitty Mouse: Arielle Lipshaw
Daisy/Sally/Adolphus/Dolly: Tiffany Halla Colonna
Jo/Rob: Amanda Friday
Mr Bhaer: Ben Lindsey-Clark
Franz/Jack: Ted Wenskus
Stuffy/George: Tomas Peter
Ned: Anastasia Durning
Teddy/Amy: Becca Maggie
Dan/Billy: Maureen Boutilier
Little Bess: Miranda Hodges
Dr Firth/Mr Roberts/Grandpa/Mr Hyde: Ben Stevens 

Audio edited by Libby Stephenson."

To listen to the sample and/or purchase the book, head to Audible here. 


 

A Full-Cast Children's Classic from The Online Stage

I was happy to play the role of Mrs. Hale in the children's classic, Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.  This story never gets old.  Produced in cooperation with Spoken Realms.


The always delightful and entertaining classic Anne of Green Gables is performed by actors from The Online Stage! Written in 1908, for all ages, by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery. She published as L. M. Montgomery. 

Anne Shirley is an 11-year-old orphan adopted by a middle-aged brother and sister, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. They had wanted to adopt a boy to help with their farm on Prince Edward Island in the fictional town of Avonlea. Matthew persuades Marilla to give Anne a chance. Anne is a handful, and they fall in love with her.

The sequels will follow Anne as she grows up under their care for her.

Cast:

Narrator - Susan Iannucci
Anne Shirley - Amanda Friday
Marilla Cuthbert - Elizabeth Klett
Flora Jane Spencer, Dianna Barry, Miss Stacy - Tiffany Halla Colonna
Mrs. Rachel Lynde, Josie Pie, Miss Lucilla Harris - Maureen Boutilier
Matthew Cuthbert - Ron Altman
Gilbert Blythe, Stationmaster, Jimmy Glover, somebody - Ted Wenskus
Ruby Gillis, Carrie Sloane - Becca Maggie
Mr. Phillips, Doctor, Moody Spurgeon - Jeff Moon
Mrs. Barry - Lee Ann Howlett
Mrs. Peter Blewett, Aunt Josephine Barry, a stout lady - Marie Hoffman
Mrs. Spencer, Mrs Allan, Jane Andrews - PJ Morgan

Production and audio editing by Susan Iannucci

The Online Stage is a collective of narrators and actors who have come together to create high-quality productions of classic dramatic works in audio format.

To listen to the sample and/or purchase the book, head to Audible here. 

A Free Classic from The Online Stage!

I had the pleasure of playing the part of the Nurse of Ksenia in Boris Godunov by Aleksander Pushkin.  This is the latest production to be added to the Internet Archive page of The Online Stage.  Being a part of this group has enabled me to push myself in voice acting in new ways.  The Online Stage has a pretty healthy catalog of productions available for free listening via the Internet Archive.

Boris Godunov

A Drama in Verse

By Alexander Pushkin

Rendered into English verse by Alfred Hayes

Presented by The Online Stage

In January of 1598, Feodor (Fyodor) I, the heir to Ivan the Terrible, died at the age of 40 and with him ended the Rurik Dynasty in Russia.  Feodor’s death came seven years after his half-brother Dmitry of Uglich died at the age of nine under mysterious circumstances from a stab wound to the throat.

During Feodor’s reign, Boris Godunov, Feodor’s brother-in-law, essentially ruled the country.  After Feodor's death Boris was crowned the tsar of all Russia.  The country then plunged into what was later called “Time of Troubles”, marked by famine, plague, political intrigue, and general disorder and unrest.

Pushkin’s poetic drama takes us back to the beginning of Time of Troubles and the appearance of the first pretender to the throne, who claimed to be the miraculously surviving tsarevich Dmitry (Dmitry).  The true identity of the “False Dimitry” is not clear.

This recording is of the English translation of “Boris Godunov” by Alfred Hayes.  The text keeps to the rhythm of Pushkin’s original blank verse very closely.  It also includes scenes (“Fence of the Monastery”, “Mnishek in Sambor”) that are usually omitted from the printed original editions.

Pushkin’s drama was later remodeled by Mussorgsky into a musical presentation, which is now considered one of the greatest of all Russian operas.

Cast

BORIS GODUNOV, afterwards Tsar – David Stifel

PRINCE SHUISKY, Russian noble – Tovarisch

PRINCE VOROTINSKY, Russian noble – Mark Crowle-Groves

SHCHELKALOV, Russian Minister of State – Bob Neufeld

FATHER PIMEN, an old monk and chronicler – Joseph Tabler

GREGORY OTREPIEV, a young monk, afterwards Dmitry, the Pretender to the throne of Russia – Tomas Peter

THE PATRIARCH, Abbot of the Chudov Monastery – John Burlinson

MISSAIL, wandering friar – Peter Tucker

VARLAAM, wandering friar – Denis Daly

ATHANASIUS MIKAILOVICH PUSHKIN, friend of Prince Shuisky – David Prickett

FEODOR, young son of Boris Godunov – Jeff Moon

SEMYON NIKITICH GODUNOV, secret agent of Boris Godunov – Ben Stevens

GABRIEL PUSHKIN, nephew of A. M. Pushkin – David Prickett

PRINCE KURBSKY, disgraced Russian noble – Ted Wenskus 

KHRUSHCHOV, disgraced Russian noble – Ron Altman

KARELA, a Cossack – Joseph Tabler

PRINCE VISHNEVETSKY – Russell Gold

MNISHEK, Governor of Sambor – Noel Badrian

BASMANOV, a Russian officer – Marty Kryz

MARZHERET, officer of the Pretender – Cate Barratt

ROZEN, officer of the Pretender – Bob Neufeld

MOSALSKY, a Boyar – Andy Harrington

KSENIA, daughter of Boris Godunov – Leanne Yau

NURSE of Ksenia – Lee Ann Howlett

MARINA, daughter of Mnishek – Grace Garrett

ROUZYA, nurse of Ksenia – Susan Iannucci

HOSTESS of tavern – Cate Barratt

Also featuring the voices of Amanda Friday, Alan Weyman, Jennifer Fournier, Phil Benson, Andrew Coleman, Craig Franklin, and Brett Downey.

Stage directions read by Linda Barrans

Music 

Excerpts from Pictures from an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky

Performed by the New Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Leopold Stokowski

Recording published by the Internet Archive

Polonaise, from Christmas Eve by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakoff

Performed by the US Air Force Band

Recording published by musopen.org

Audio edited by Denis Daly

This recording may be freely downloaded and distributed, as long as the Online Stage is credited as the author.  It may not be used for commercial purposes or distributed in an edited or remixed form.

The Online Stage is a collective of narrators and actors who have come together to create premium quality recordings of dramatic works in audio format. For more information about our productions please visit The Online Stage.

You can hear the entire recording here.

A bit of Oscar Wilde from The Online Stage

As a member of The Online Stage, I was very happy to play a part in our latest production for charity.  Nothing like a little Oscar Wilde to ring in the New Year!  The Online Stage will be donating its royalties from the sale of this audiobook to All Hands Volunteers, a non-profit organization that addresses the immediate and long-term needs of communities impacted by natural disasters. 


This beautiful collection contains five fairy tales by the celebrated British writer Oscar Wilde: "The Happy Prince", "The Nightingale and the Rose", "The Selfish Giant", "The Devoted Friend", and "The Remarkable Rocket." These timeless tales are performed by a full cast, and will delight listeners of all ages with their whimsical characters, moving situations, and touches of ironic humor.

Presented by The Online Stage

Narration by Noel Badrian

Also featuring the voices of Peter Tucker, Sara Morsey, Andrew Coleman, Miranda Hodges, Joseph Tabler, Russell Gold, Lee Ann Howlett, Craig Franklin, Andy Harrington, K.G. Cross, John Burlinson, Grace Keller Scotch, Ted Wenskus, Andrew Coleman, Leanne Yau, Denis Daly, Jeff Moon, David Prickett, Cate Barratt, Elizabeth Klett, Sara Morsey, Susan Iannucci, Linda Barrans, Ron Altman, Amanda Friday, Marty Krz, Chris Marcellus, Becca Maggie and Alan Weyman.

Audio edited by Elizabeth Klett.

To listen to the sample and/or purchase, head to Audible here.

A Dorothy Parker title now on Audible!

I can't resist a little Dorothy Parker now and then!  My latest recording on Audible is Men I'm Not Married To by the aforementioned Dorothy Parker.  This was produced in cooperation with Spoken Realms. 

"In this story, by American writer Dorothy Parker, a woman gives a laundry list of men she's not married to. She also convincingly states the reasons why she is not and would not want to be married to the various men. Parker's wit and humor shine through as the eccentricities and foibles of the men are described."

To listen to the sample and/or purchase the recording, head to Audible here. 

Another full-cast production from The Online Stage on Audible!

I was privileged to play a small role in the latest production from The Online Stage in cooperation with Spoken Realms.  Abraham Lincoln by John Drinkwater is now available on Audible.  I play the role of Mrs. Otherly along with another unnamed woman.

"In survey after survey, Abraham Lincoln is universally ranked as the greatest of America's presidents, setting standards for honesty, courage, compassion and ethical responsibility. John Drinkwater's play was the British poet's first theatrical success, opening in England in 1918 to surprising acclaim and making its way to Broadway in 1919, to even stronger public enthusiasm. It was produced on radio by Orson Wells on August 15, 1938, on his program, The Mercury Theater on the Air. In 1924, a two-reel film version of the play was distributed nationwide, one of the very first sound films, and on May 26, 1952, the play was presented on television on the anthology series Studio One, with film icon James Dean in a very noticeable supporting role.

After a brief poetic prologue, the play depicts six scenes from Lincoln's life that illustrate key aspects of his remarkable character:

• His acceptance of the Republican nomination for President
• The outbreak of hostilities at Fort Sumter
• Discussions with three very different individuals about the conduct of the war
• The emancipation proclamation
• The surrender at Appomattox
• The assassination at Ford's Theater

Featuring Ben Stevens as Abraham Lincoln. Additional voices provided by Andrew Coleman, Linda Barrans, Larry Wilson, Ron Altman, Libby Stevenson, Jennifer Fournier, Peter Tucker, Andy Harrington, Joseph Tabler, Marty Kris, Jeff Moon, Russell Gold, Ted Wenskus, Richard Andrews, Nancy German, Lee Ann Howlett, and John Burlinson. Audio edited by John Burlinson."

To listen to a sample and/or purchase the recording, head to Audible here. 

New Full-Cast Production of a Classic from The Online Stage

Another full-cast production of a classic is now available on Audible from The Online Stage.

Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll continues the adventures of 7-year old Alice and the many creatures she meets via the looking glass.  I play the parts of Haigha, the Beetle, and the First Daisy.  So much fun!

"Lewis Carroll's delightful sequel to Alice in Wonderland finds seven-year-old Alice off on another exciting adventure into Looking-Glass World. On her journey, she meets life-size chess pieces, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, Humpty Dumpty, and a host of fairy-tale creatures.

Performed by a splendid cast, this Online Stage production will charm listeners of all ages.

Narration by Noel Badrian.
Featuring Miranda Hodges as Alice.

Also featuring the voices of Linda Barrans, John Burlinson, Elizabeth Chambers, Denis Daly, Brett Downey, Michele Eaton, Jennifer Fournier, Amanda Friday, KG Cross, Bob Gonzalez, Andy Harrington, Marie Hoffman, Lee Ann Howlett, Kalynda, Elizabeth Klett, Arielle Lipshaw, Ben Stevens, Joseph Tabler, and Alan Weyman."

This is another charity project from The Online Stage.  All proceeds from the sales of this audiobook will be donated to Action Against Hunger, an organization that saves the lives of severely malnourished children while helping vulnerable communities become self-sufficient.

To listen to a sample and/or purchase head to Audible here.

New Full-Cast Farce from The Online Stage!

I had a blast participating in this short series of farcical situations as a member of The Online Stage!  Arcadian Adventures With The Idle Rich by Stephen Leacock has no shortage of silliness from the, well, idle rich.

"Stephen Leacock (1869-1944) may be considered the Canadian counterpart to Mark Twain. For many years he was professor of economics at Magill University and published a number of well-regarded texts on economics and political science. However, he is best known today for his many volumes of humorous fiction. During the 1920s he was one of the most widely read authors in the English-speaking world and was considered by Jack Benny and Groucho Marx to be one of the greatest comic writers of all time.

In Arcadian Adventures with the Idle Rich, Leacock applies a satirical scalpel to the foibles and pretensions of the wealthy and the powerful. He not only probes the quirks of traditional power structures like corporations (public and private), political parties, universities, and churches but also finds time to poke fun at one of his favorite targets - the world of psychic phenomena.

A Little Dinner with Mr Lucullus Fyshe
The Wizard of Finance
The Arrested Philanthropy of Mr. Tomlinson
The Yahi-Bahi Oriental Society of Mrs. Rasselyer-Brown
The Love Story of Mr. Peter Spillikins
The Rival Churches of St. Asaph and St. Osoph
The Ministrations of the Rev. Uttermust Dumfarthing
The Great Fight for Clean Government

Narrated by Cate Barratt.
Cast: Lucullus Fyshe - Jeff Moon; Dr Boomer - Ron Altman; Fareforth Furlong - Richard Andrews; Mrs. Rasselyer-Brown - Lee Ann Howlett.
Additional voices supplied by Bob Neufeld, Ben Stevens, P. J. Morgan, Brett Downey, Denis Daly, Andy Harrington, David Prickett, John Burlinson, Alan Weyman, Joseph Tabler, Susan Iannucci, Becca Maggie, Jennifer Fournier, Ted Wenskus, Leanne Yau, Arielle Lipshaw, and Marty Kris.
Audio edited by Denis Daly."

To listen to a sample and/or purchase head to Audible here.

New Full-Cast Production from The Online Stage on Audible!

A new full-cast production of a classic Greek tragedy has just been released on Audible.  Hippolytus by Euripides and translated by Bob Gonzalez features cast members from The Online Stage.  I play the nurse in this and I loved the chance to sink my teeth into that character.

Euripides (c. 480-406 BCE) is the author of 18 extant plays and many more only surviving in fragments. He is the youngest of the three great Athenian tragedians with Aeschylus and Sophocles.
Hippolytus, bastard son of Theseus and the Amazon Hippolyta, has sworn chaste allegiance to the goddess Artemis, thus severely offending the goddess Aphrodite by failing to revere her. Aphrodite swears revenge and promises that he will die before the day is done, taking with him Queen Phaedra, wife of Theseus. Aphrodite sickens Phaedra with uncontrollable lust for Hippolytus, and when he vehemently spurns her, he sets in motion the events that will seal his doom.

Cast
Aphrodite - PJ Morgan
Artemis - Linda Barrans
Hippolytus - Russell Gold
Phaidra -Erin Louttit
Nurse - Lee Ann Howlett
Theseus - John Burlinson
An Old Huntsman - Ron Altman
First huntsman/Messenger - Andy Harrington
Second huntsman - Alan Weyman
Third huntsman - Alan Weyman
Chorus leader - Jennifer Fournier
Chorus One - Leanne Yau
Chorus Two - Elizabeth Chambers
Narrator - Alan Weyman

Audio edited by Alan Weyman. Freely adapted by Bob Gonzalez from the translation by Ian Johnston.

To listen to a sample and/or purchase, please visit Audible here. 

A new tintype photo and another nice review!

My nephew, Jeff Howlett, was back in town again a couple of weeks ago to take tintype photographs at two different venues in Tampa and Dunedin.  You can read about my first tintype Jeff took of me in a previous post here.   This time around I had my eyes opened much wider -- which I made a point of doing since I look a bit like I'm squinting in the first tintype.  It's difficult not to squint or blink due to the bright lights Jeff has to use. 

Jeff's website is here.  He also has another site with a fellow photographer that explains a bit about tintypes here. Jeff had a lot of happy customers at the Tampa Indie Flea.  Many people were having tintypes taken for holiday gifts.

My other bit of news is that I've received another nice review of one of my recordings in Audiofile Magazine.  This one is for The Prettiest Girl on Stage is a Man: Race and Gender Benders in American Vaudeville by Kathleen B. Casey.

"Narrator Lee Ann Howlett brings to life an array of American vaudeville stars from the 1890s-1920s whose acts reflect the cultural changes caused by immigration, racial discord, and changing gender roles at that time. With a conversational delivery style, Howlett creates a tough persona for singer Eva Tanguay, emphasizing her strength while performing racy songs of the period. Also portrayed is Julian Eltinge, a top female impersonator whose extreme masculine facade in real life countered speculation that he was gay. Howlett is most enjoyable as Lillyn Brown, a biracial woman who played a black dandy with a top hat, which she removed to display long hair as she sang suggestive songs as a woman. The great Sophie Tucker herself played in blackface, impersonated men and people of other races, and emphasized her Jewishness. Listeners will be intrigued to hear that Lady Gaga is considered a modern gender bender."

The link to the review is here and you can listen to a sample of the book on Audible here. 

 

A free recording and a nice review!

The Online Stage

The group The Online Stage not only produces full-cast audios for Audible but we also record audio that is posted on the Internet Archive where people can listen for free.  I've just had my first 'free' recording with The Online Stage go live on Internet Archive.

I play Mrs. Plinth in this production of the Edith Wharton short story Xingu. 

Mrs. Ballinger and her ladies' Lunch Club believe themselves to be authorities on art, culture, and literature in the small town of Hillbridge. But when celebrated novelist Osric Dane consents to join them for a discussion of her novel The Wings of Death, they find that things seem destined to go awry. 

This dramatic reading of Edith Wharton's hilarious 1916 story features an all-female cast.

Miss Van Vluyck: Libby Stephenson

Mrs. Roby: Amanda Friday

Mrs. Plinth: Lee Ann Howlett 

Mrs. Ballinger: Susan Iannucci

Mrs. Leveret: Jennifer Fournier

Laura Glyde: PJ Morgan

Osric Dane: Nancy German

Narrator: Elizabeth Klett

Besides voicing the narrator and editing Xingu, the talented Elizabeth Klett also edited the production.   

The direct link to the play can be found here. 

*******************************

In other news, I received a very nice review for my recording of the book Imogene in New Orleans by Hunter Murphy in Audiofile Magazine.

"Narrator Lee Ann Howlett does a rousing job portraying glorious New Orleans and its many residents. When 73-year-old Imogene Deal McGregor; her son, Billy; and his partner, Jackson Miller, arrive, they expect some traditional Southern hospitality but instead find their friend, Glenway Gilbert, dead in his studio. Howlett's Imogene is hilarious, reckless, and determined to help solve the murder. Hypochondriac Billy, with his blood pressure cuff and medical satchel that becomes a weapon, is priceless. Boyfriend Miller looks out for both McGregors while trying to decide which of the many suspects is the murderer. Along the way, they meet praline chef Lena Ward, who has the perfect Southern voice, vocabulary, and personality. Listeners will enjoy an eventful tour and will especially enjoy the fun as one suspect is followed in a horse-drawn carriage."

The review may be found here and if you'd like to listen to a sample and/or purchase the book, it's available on Audible here. 

 

My first role with The Online Stage

I was thrilled to be invited by Denis Daly, the director of The Online Stage, to become a part of the company a few months ago.  Today my first performance with TOS went live on Audible.  This is a short piece by Russian author Alexander Ostrovsky and is basically a comedy.  I play Serafima Karpovna.


Incompatibility of Temper: Three Pictures of Moscow Life by Alexander Ostrovsky
Translated by Ethel Voynich
Presented by the Online Stage
Alexander Ostrovsky was the premier Russian dramatist before Chekov, and a true master of realistic satire. His Incompatibility of Temper consists of three sections or "Pictures of Moscow life."
Despite its patina of humor, the work is a merciless exposé of the commercial middle class dishonesty, and the convenient immorality hiding behind social conventions, which are characteristic of a developing urban society. The most noble character, Serafima, is a compelling mixture of naïveté, whimsicality, sentimentality, and obstinate practicality - one of the finest character portraits in Russian drama.

I was very happy to work with a full cast in this production.  If live theater is your thing, please check out the sample and/or purchase the play here.

New recording out today on Audible!

I recorded a short biography of Harriet Tubman which was released for sale on Audible today.   I've been fascinated by Harriet's life since reading the book Freedom Train by Dorothy Sterling when I was a kid.

Harriet Tubman was born into slavery around 1820. This biography by Elizabeth Ross Haynes was published just eight years after Harriet's death (1913) as a part of her book Unsung Heroes. Over the years Ms. Tubman's legacy as a former slave, an abolitionist, a humanitarian, a suffragette, and a spy and agent for the US Army has grown. Beginning in 2020 her face will grace the US $20 dollar bill. There is also a collection of Harriet Tubman artifacts housed in the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.

To listen to a sample and/or purchase the book, head to Audible here.

My latest recording --- an old-fashioned mystery!

My latest recording just went live on Audible this week.  It's called The Woman in the Alcove by Anna Katharine Green.  I love an old-fashioned detective mystery and this was a fun one to record.

During a high society party set in New York City in the early 1900s, a beautiful woman is murdered and her precious diamond stolen. A young woman attending the party had just accepted a marriage proposal from a handsome young man. Unfortunately, the young man is the prime suspect in the murder due to circumstantial evidence. From there, the story takes many twists and turns before the identity of the killer is finally revealed.


Anna Katharine Green was one of the first writers of detective fiction in the US and was known for the legal accuracy of her stories.  She's probably one of the best mystery writers that too few people know about.

To listen to a sample/and or purchase the book, click here.

**P.S.** This book was Whispersync'd very quickly.  If you buy the Kindle version (which is free on Amazon) you can add my audiobook for only $2.99.  Click here for this deal! 

My Kate Chopin short story collection now on Audible

Six short stories that I recorded by Kate Chopin were released as a collection last week on Audible. 

American Kate Chopin, now considered an early feminist, was a prolific writer of short stories in addition to two novels. Most of her stories were set in Louisiana, where she moved after marrying. Characters in her stories are as varied as her themes. Her use of irony and her ability to write so convincingly of characters from diverse backgrounds are hallmarks of her work. This collection includes The Kiss, The Unexpected, An Egyptian Cigarette, The Locket, The Blind Man, and Her Letters.

This collection was published under two different titles:  Kate Chopin: Six Short Stories and Six Short Stories by Kate Chopin.  It can be found under either title on Audible.  Or you can click here to listen to a sample/purchase.

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