The Rose Rhapsody

In the tense days of World War I, British Prime Minister David McAdam vanishes on his way to a secret Allied conference in France. Intercepted by clever impostors and a carefully orchestrated decoy car, the leader has seemingly evaporated into thin air. With a looming 24-hour deadline before international politics collapse, the government turns to the only man who can solve the impossible: Hercule...

Experience Washington Irving’s gothic masterpiece like never before. In our latest episode, award-winning vocal artist Christopher Lane delivers an immersive, bone-chilling audio rendering of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow . Step into the mist-shrouded valleys of Tarry Town and follow the superstitious Ichabod Crane on his fateful, midnight ride. Will he escape the region's most infamous specter...

In today’s episode, we are diving into the whimsical world of the Hundred Acre Wood with Chapter 8 of A.A. Milne’s classic Winnie-the-Pooh . Join us as Christopher Robin leads the entire crew—Pooh, Piglet, Rabbit, Eeyore, and all of Rabbit's friends and relations—on a grand "Expedition" to discover the North Pole. Whether you are revisiting a childhood favorite or sharing these time...

One cannot swim, the other cannot run, and summer camp is about to break two best friends as they navigate the ultimate scouting gauntlet. Tune into “Lifesaving” by Peter S. Bernard, a hilarious look at the two least athletic teenagers in scout history trying to earn their merit badges at the Baiting Hollow Scout Camp on Long Island Sound. Featuring the vocal artistry of award-winning DC actor Ric...

Experience the birth of America like never before.  In this special July  episode, professional voice actors bring history to life through the raw, emotional letters of John Adams and a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence.  Travel back to 1776 to hear the personal doubts, fierce convictions, and visionary hopes of the people who risked everything for freedom.  It is not just histor...

A vivid and haunting dramatization of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s tale of a sailor who stops a wedding guest to recount his supernatural sea voyage after killing an albatross. Magnificently rendered by acclaimed vocal artist Christopher Lane with signature music performed by Grammy-recognized trumpeter Markus Rutz, pianist Adrian Ruiz and the Markus Rutz band. 

Chapters 6 & 7 from A. A. Milne’s beloved collection of short stories following the adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh, and his friends Christopher Robin, Piglet, Eeyore, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga, and Roo. Charmingly rendered by acclaimed vocal artist Christopher Lane, this episode features signature music by Grammy-recognized trumpeter Markus Rutz and his collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz plus “The...

Transformative poetry swirls around the joys and hardships of working-class black lives from James Mercer Langston Hughes - an American poet, leader of the Harlem Renaissance, and father of what came to be known as “jazz poetry.” Featuring selections from Hughes’ early poetry collection “The Weary Blues”, evocatively rendered by acclaimed DC theatre artist, Ricardo Frederick Evans and the imaginat...

Hercule Poirot can’t resist a case, even when holidaying in Brighton with his dutiful friend, Captain Hastings. When a precious pearl necklace vanishes from a locked hotel room, a puzzling case of deduction ensues for the Belgian detective. The seventh short story from Agatha Christie’s collection, Poirot Investigates features acclaimed DC actor and vocal artist David Bryan Jackson, along with mus...

Chapters 4 and 5 from A. A. Milne’s beloved collection of short stories following the adventures of an anthropomorphic teddy bear, Winnie-the-Pooh, and his friends Christopher Robin, Piglet, Eeyore, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga, and Roo. Rendered by acclaimed vocal artist Christopher Lane, this episode features signature music by Grammy-recognized trumpeter Markus Rutz and his collaborator on the keys, Adri...

Beloved English essayist, poet and critic, Charles Lamb (1775-1834) reflects his gentle wisdom upon humanity’s annual celebration in his essay “New Year’s Eve.” Featuring award-winning vocal artist and acclaimed actor Christopher Lane and the angelic voice of Kathleen Manuel singing the original version of “Auld Lang Syne” by Scottish lyricist and national poet Robert Burns. Accompaniment by The R...

A celebration of Christmas and the holiday season beginning with acclaimed actor Rick Foucheux’s humorous tale of putting up his fake Christmas tree, alongside the Christmas classic, “Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus” and a wondrous rendering of the popular Irish-language Christmas carol “Don Oiche Úd i mBeithil” performed by The Rose musical group The Gamut.  With seasonal bonus tracks.

A look at mankind’s deep and enduring connection to dogs through the eyes of two literary masters: American humorist Mark Twain in “A Dog’s Tale” and “The Power of the Dog,” by the great British poet Rudyard Kipling. Including the “Waltz of the Puppy” (Valse du petit Chien), by Polish composer and virtuoso, Frédéric Chopin.

Chapters 2 and 3 from A. A. Milne’s beloved collection of short stories following the adventures of an anthropomorphic teddy bear, Winnie-the-Pooh, and his friends Christopher Robin, Piglet, Eeyore, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga, and Roo. Rendered by acclaimed vocal artist Christopher Lane, this episode features signature music by Grammy-recognized trumpeter Markus Rutz and his collaborator on the keys, Adri...

During an archeological expedition to Egypt, Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is called upon to investigate the ominous deaths surrounding the opening of a newly discovered tomb.  As Poirot, along with his faithful companion, Capt. Hastings, unravels the enigma, he encounters a cast of characters, each with their own motives and secrets. The sixth short story from Agatha Christie’s collection, Poi...

The riveting final chapter of what is now considered Ernest Hemingway’s greatest work, portraying American and British expatriates who travel from Paris to the Festival of San Fermin to watch the running of the bulls and the bullfights.  Magnificently rendered by acclaimed vocal artist Christopher Lane, this episode features signature music by Grammy-recognized trumpeter Markus Rutz and his collab...

Reflections from the American Civil War, including President Abraham Lincoln’s poignant plea for national unity from his Second Inaugural Address, and the remarkable account of men in war, graphically brought to light in passages from “Four Years in the Stonewall Brigade,” by John O. Casler.  Performances in this episode include: Helen Hayes award-winning actors Rick Foucheux as President Abraham...

The next to last chapter of what is now considered Ernest Hemingway’s greatest work, portraying American and British expatriates who travel from Paris to the Festival of San Fermin to watch the running of the bulls and the bullfights.  Rendered by acclaimed vocal artist Christopher Lane, the episode features signature music by Grammy-recognized trumpeter Markus Rutz and his collaborator on the key...

The introduction and chapter one from A. A. Milne’s beloved collection of short stories following the adventures of an anthropomorphic teddy bear, Winnie-the-Pooh, and his friends Christopher Robin, Piglet, Eeyore, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga, and Roo. Rendered by acclaimed vocal artist Christopher Lane, the episode features signature music by Grammy-recognized trumpeter Markus Rutz and his collaborator on...

Philip Ridgeway is suspected of stealing over a million dollars in Liberty Bonds as they were being taken to America by ship. His fiance Esmee appeals to Hercule Poirot to clear his name and find the culprit before Scotland Yard arrests the wrong man and ruins their chances for happiness. The fifth short story from Agatha Christie’s collection, Poirot Investigates, “The Million Dollar Bond Robbery...

Chapter 17 of what is now considered Ernest Hemingway’s greatest work, portraying American and British expatriates who travel from Paris to the Festival of San Fermin to watch the running of the bulls and the bullfights.  Rendered by acclaimed vocal artist Christopher Lane, the episode features signature music by Grammy-recognized trumpeter Markus Rutz and his collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz...

In this episode: “Letters Live at The Rose” - the intimate correspondence between John and Abigail Adams as Independence Day and America’s deliverance from British tyranny approaches.  Featuring performances by acclaimed DC actor, Chris Stezin and The Rose Artistic Director, Leslie Kobylinski, alongside signature musical renditions of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” performed by Chicago jazz...

Amusingly tall animal tales and adventures written by acclaimed vocal artist Christopher Lane, award-winning actor Rick Foucheux and legendary playwright Eugene O’Neill. This episode also features Latin-flavored musical vignettes inspired by George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” performed by Chicago jazz trumpeter Markus Rutz, alongside his collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz, plus Brazilian per...

From “A Christmas Carol” (1843) by Charles Dickens, Ebenezer Scrooge and The Ghost of Christmas Past visit Scrooge’s former workplace at Mr. Fezziwigs on Christmas Eve. Seeing the bright face of his former self and Fezziwig’s generous nature, Scrooge reflects on the value of generosity. This episode features the story-telling artistry of Christopher Lane, alongside the traditional carols “Soul Cak...

Hear your favorite holiday songs in this special Rose Classic edition featuring The Markus Rutz Jazz Trio, recorded in 2021.