The Rose Rhapsody

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.

A majestic old oak contemplates the cycle of life in this poignant fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen, featuring the vocal artistry of Helen Hayes award-winning actor Rick Foucheux, alongside the signature sounds of Chicago trumpeter, Markus Rutz and his collaborator at the keys, pianist Adrian Ruiz.

When Roger Havering requests the services of Hercule Poirot, who is ill in bed with the flu, to investigate the murder of his uncle at his hunting lodge in Derbyshire, the great Belgian detective must turn to Captain Hastings to be his “eyes and ears” to solve the puzzling case.  The fourth short story from Agatha Christie’s collection Poirot Investigates “The Mystery of Hunter’s Lodge” features a...

A tribute to award-winning journalist, war correspondent, published poet and The Rose Poet Laureate, Tom Squitieri. A writer and journalist for over 30 years, Tom had been on all seven continents and more than two thirds of the nations on earth. Featured in this episode is one of the last pieces he wrote before his untimely death on September 1, 2024, alongside the vocal artistry of Christopher La...

Transformative prose swirls around the meaning of life and loss from playwright, poet and composer, Richard C. Washer. Featured performances include: the vocal artistry of Ray Ficca, David Bryan Jackson, Christopher Lane plus the lyrically infused new title track “Threads Unsewn” composed, and sung by Richard C. Washer along with his musical group The Gamut.

“A Message to Garcia” is a widely distributed essay written by Elbert Hubbard in 1899, extolling the value of individual initiative and conscientiousness in work as seen through the example of an American soldier delivering a crucial letter from President McKinley to the leader of Cuban insurgents “somewhere in the mountain vastnesses of Cuba.”  Although not without controversy and historical inac...