The Rose Rhapsody

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 keys, Adrian Ruiz.  Want more? The story continues right here at The Rose Rhapsody.

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 the keys, Adrian Ruiz. 

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” features acclaimed DC actor and vocal artist David Bryan Jackson, with musical renditions of Irving Berlin's classic “Puttin' on the Ritz,” by Chicago trumpeter Markus Rutz and his musical collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz.  

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.  Want more? The story continues right here at The Rose Rhapsody.

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 trumpeter Markus Rutz and his collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz.  

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 percussionist Heitor Garcia and The Markus Rutz Band.  

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 Cake,” “The Wassail Song,” “All Through the Night,” and “In the Bleak Midwinter,” delightfully performed and arranged by The Rose's in-house musical group, The Gamut.  Recorded in 2023.

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.

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 Lane and the musical composition “Burgundy Trees - A Waltz for Tom,” written, composed and performed by Richard C. Washer.  

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 acclaimed DC actor and vocal artist David Bryan Jackson, with musical renditions of Irving Berlin's classic “Puttin' on the Ritz,” by jazz trumpeter Markus Rutz and his musical collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz.  

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 inaccuracies, the essay continues to be a popular missive on leadership and dedication in the face of adversity.  Performances featured in this episode include the vocal artistry of Christopher Lane and the iconic trumpet sounds of Markus Rutz alongside his collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz.

Captain Hastings meets a couple at a party who have just rented a flat in London's most fashionable district for an implausibly cheap price. Poirot is intrigued and sets out to investigate. The third short story from Agatha Christie's collection Poirot Investigates “The Adventure of the Cheap Flat” features acclaimed DC actor and vocal artist, David Bryan Jackson, with musical renditions of Irving Berlin's classic “Puttin' on the Ritz,” performed by jazz trumpeter Markus Rutz and his musical collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz.  

Chapter 16 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.  Want more? The story continues right here at The Rose Rhapsody.

Acclaimed Helen Hayes award-winning actor Rick Foucheux, shares his memoir of growing up with a bigger than life instrument in small town Louisiana.

Chapter 15 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.  Want more? The story continues right here at The Rose Rhapsody.

After the supposed demise of Sherlock Holmes, his closest friend and confidante, Dr. Watson, receives the shock of a lifetime when he is drawn to investigate the apparently unsolvable locked-room murder of the Honorable Ronald Adair.  Part I of the mystery of “The Adventure of the Empty House” features performances by Helen Hayes award-winning actor and celebrated vocal artist Christopher Lane, alongside musical renditions of Irving Berlin's classic “Puttin' on the Ritz,” and George Gershwin's “Rhapsody in Blue,” performed by Chicago jazz trumpeter Markus Rutz and his collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz.  

After the supposed demise of Sherlock Holmes, his closest friend and confidante, Dr. Watson, receives the shock of a lifetime when he is drawn to investigate the apparently unsolvable locked-room murder of the Honorable Ronald Adair.  Part I of the mystery of “The Adventure of the Empty House” features performances by Helen Hayes award-winning actor and celebrated vocal artist Christopher Lane, alongside musical renditions of Irving Berlin's classic “Puttin' on the Ritz,” and George Gershwin's “Rhapsody in Blue,” performed by Chicago jazz trumpeter Markus Rutz and his collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz.  

No criminal can outwit Detective Hercule Poirot's “little gray cells” as he investigates the seemingly mundane death of a country squire.  The second short story from Agatha Christie's collection Poirot Investigates the mystery of “The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor” features performances by acclaimed DC actor, David Bryan Jackson, with musical renditions of Irving Berlin's classic “Puttin' on the Ritz,” by jazz trumpeter Markus Rutz and his collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz.  

Chapter 14 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.  Want more? The story continues right here at The Rose Rhapsody.

Chapter 13 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.  Want more? The story continues right here at The Rose Rhapsody.

Poetry by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, said to have been inspired by the “wild bells” of Waltham Abbey in Essex, England, when the bereaved poet threw open his window on New Year's Eve to hear the peal of bells ringing out the old year and ringing in the new. Featuring the vocal artistry of David Bryan Jackson and Leslie Kobylinski, alongside the holiday classic, “Carol of the Bells” by Ukrainian composer and conductor, Mykola Leontovych.  

From “A Christmas Carol” (1843) by Charles Dickens, Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Past visit Scrooge's former workplace, “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 Christmas carols “Soul Cake,” “The Wassail Song,” “All Through the Night,” and “In the Bleak Midwinter,” delightfully performed and arranged by The Rose's in-house musical group The Gamut.

If ever a poet understood the character of his nation, he was Robert Burns. The language of his poems and songs wasn't so much Scots or English - it was the language of the heart.  This episode features Burns' iconic poetry newly interpreted, performed and arranged by The Rose's in-house band The Gamut, alongside the vocal artistry of Christopher Lane.

The musings and observations from long hard days in the saddle featured in the poetry of “Jim Marshall's New Pianner” by William Devere and “Beware of the Mooses” by Wolf David, performed by acclaimed vocal artist Christopher Lane alongside the cowboy classic “Git Along, Little Dogies” sung by the late great Country Music star, Marty Robbins. 

Chapter 12 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.  Want more? The story continues right here at The Rose Rhapsody.

Chapter 11 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.  Want more? The story continues right here at The Rose Rhapsody.

From the “Queen of Crime” and the world's bestselling novelist, Agatha Christie, comes the first in her collection of short stories displaying the brilliance of the famously eccentric Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot.  No criminal can outwit Poirot's “little gray cells” as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of a film star's diamond.  THE ADVENTURE OF “THE WESTERN STAR” features performances by acclaimed DC actor and vocal artist, David Bryan Jackson with musical renditions of Irving Berlin's classic “Puttin' on the Ritz” by Chicago trumpeter Markus Rutz and his collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz.  

pRosePie! - a delicious spoken word symphony featuring the poetry of award-winning journalist, war correspondent and published poet, Tom Squitieri, performed by acclaimed vocal artist Christopher Lane alongside musical inspirations from composer and musician extraordinaire, David Kowal. 

Chapter 10 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.  Want more? The story continues right here at The Rose Rhapsody.

The delightful observations of John Henry, fictional Man-about-Town, from the prolific pen of Hugh McHugh aka George V. Hobart, the Canadian-American playwright and humorist. At the time of his death in 1926, Hobart was one of America's most popular sketch writers, and satirists. This episode features the vocal artistry of Christopher Lane as John Henry alongside signature musical themes created especially for The Rose Rhapsody by acclaimed composer and Grammy-recognized trumpeter Markus Rutz and pianist Adrian Ruiz.

Chapter 9 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.  Want more? The story continues right here at The Rose Rhapsody.

A flight of fancy and the pursuit of an impossible dream take a lowly fisherman on a magical journey in this charming fairy tale written and performed by Helen Hayes award-winning actor and vocal artist Rick Foucheux.

Chapter 8 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.  Want more? The story continues right here at The Rose Rhapsody.

The gripping first-hand account of the greatest peacetime seafaring disaster of all-time, as told by James Bisset, Second Officer onboard the Carpathia, as they raced to rescue the Titanic from its tragic fate on April 15, 1912.  Carpathia was written by Rick Foucheux, based on James Bisset's article as published in ENCYCLOPEDIA TITANICA and features a performance by acclaimed DC actor and vocal artist, David Bryan Jackson.

This episode features the song “Rain,” written and performed by Chris Stezin, alongside the poem “His Turn is Long Overdue” by award-winning journalist, war correspondent and published poet Tom Squitieri, performed by acclaimed vocal artist Christopher Lane.

You-know-who is back and He ain't happy.  “When Frogs Fall From the Sky” by J. R. Spaulding - a new offering from IN CHARACTER | The Monologue Plays - features acclaimed D.C. actor and co-host of the “Read More Plays Podcast”, Ricardo Frederick Evans.

Chapter 7 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.  Want more? The story continues right here at The Rose Rhapsody.

A struggling actor finally lands the role of a lifetime. The problem is … it just might not be his. The hilarious dramedy screenplay series by acclaimed writer Chris Stezin, features performances by Raven Bonniwell, Sheri S. Herren, Leslie Kobylinski, Ava Clare Stezin, and the author himself.

A tender, personal vignette of hope, loss and understanding during the Christmas season, written by Charles Dickens, featuring the acclaimed award-winning vocal artistry of Christopher Lane. 

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

A struggling actor finally lands the role of a lifetime. The problem is … it just might not be his. The hilarious dramedy screenplay series by acclaimed writer Chris Stezin, features performances by Ingrid De Sanctis, Ray Ficca, Sheri S. Herren, Christopher Lane, Susan Marie Rhea, Ava Clare Stezin, and the author himself.

A HALLOWEEN SPECIAL EDITION - Experience Edgar Allen Poe's most famous poems joined together in a hair-raising suspense story of mystery and horror featuring performances by Ray Ficca and Christopher Lane alongside new music from Richard C. Washer.

Lovingly rendered by DC veteran actor Jim Brady, this comic verse about a fictional, legendary baseball game was first published anonymously in 1888 by The San Francisco Examiner.  The poem quickly rose to popularity, becoming a Vaudeville Circuit staple and one of the best known poems in American literature. 

Season 1, Ep. 7 - A struggling actor finally lands the role of a lifetime. The problem is … it just might not be his. The hilarious dramedy screenplay series by acclaimed writer Chris Stezin, features performances by Ingrid De Sanctis, Ray Ficca, Sheri S. Herren, Christopher Lane, Susan Marie Rhea, Ava Clare Stezin, and the author himself.

The delightful observations of John Henry, fictional Man-about-Town, from the prolific pen of Hugh McHugh aka George V. Hobart, the Canadian-American playwright and humorist. At the time of his death in 1926, Hobart was one of America's most popular sketch writers and satirists. This episode features the vocal artistry of Christopher Lane as John Henry alongside signature musical themes created especially for The Rose Rhapsody by acclaimed composer and Grammy-recognized trumpeter Markus Rutz and his musical collaborator Adrian Ruiz.

Experience Shakespeare, shaken up and stirred, for our modern troubled times. Featuring performances by audience favorites Ingrid De Sanctis, Ray Ficca and Rick Foucheux, alongside the signature musical sounds of trumpeter Markus Rutz and pianist Adrian Ruiz.   

A fantastical tale of perseverance, loyalty, and death.  Rendered by acclaimed DC actor, Ray Ficca, two friends, Sam and Cap, are challenged to survive the Arctic wilderness in one of Robert W. Service's most famous poems.  

Chapter 6 - End of Book I - 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 created by Grammy-recognized trumpeter Markus Rutz and his collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz. Want more? Stay tuned. The story continues each month at The Rose Rhapsody.

Chapter 5 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. Recorded by acclaimed vocal artist Christopher Lane, the episode features signature music created by Grammy-recognized trumpeter Markus Rutz and his collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz.  Want more? Stay tuned. The story continues each month at The Rose Rhapsody.