Showing results for "Charles Baker" in Literature & Fiction

Charles Dickens' story of solitary miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who is taught the true meaning of Christmas by the three ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, has become one of the timeless classics of English literature. First published in 1843, it introduces us not only to Scrooge himself but also to the memorable characters of underpaid desk clerk Bob Cratchit and his poor family, the poorest amongst whom is the ailing and crippled Tiny Tim.

Ray Midge is waiting for his credit card bill to arrive. His wife, Norma, has run off with her ex-husband, taking Ray’s cards, shotgun, and car. But from the receipts, Ray can track where they’ve gone. He takes off after them, as does an irritatingly tenacious bail bondsman, both following the romantic couple’s spending as far as Mexico.

For a time, Jimmy spent his expat days in Mexico unearthing pre-Columbian artifacts. Now he makes a living doing small trucking jobs and helping out with the occasional missing-person situation. But Jimmy’s laid-back lifestyle is being seriously imposed upon by a ninety-pound stalker named Louise. Add to this a sudden wave of hippies led by a murderous ex-con guru in search of psychic happenings, archaeologists unearthing (illegally) the Mayan tombs, and Louise and her weirdo husband’s quest for UFO sites, and Jimmy’s south-of-the-border existence is in danger.

An American literary treasure, Charles Portis penned the Western classic True Grit. Set in the 1960s, Norwood is a picaresque romp taking audiences on a journey from Texas to New York and back again. An ex-marine, troubadour Norwood Pratt is on a mission to recover money he once loaned to a buddy in the service. Along the way, he gets into all manner of trouble involving stolen cars, beautiful women, and a chicken with a college education.

Left penniless by the death of his father, nineteen-year-old Nicholas Nickleby seeks help, along with his mother and sister, from Uncle Ralph Nickleby. The hard-hearted money lender takes an instant dislike to his nephew and gets rid of the boy by securing him a teaching position at Dotheboys Hall, where the evil Wackford Squeers presides. Horrified by the barbarity he sees there, Nicholas defies Squeers and is forced to flee.

A woman's night of Carnaval in Quebec City is short-circuited by an abandoned baby.

Selected Shorts is an award-winning series of classic and contemporary short fiction read by acclaimed actors. The readings are recorded live at Peter Norton Symphony Space in New York City. The Selected Shorts radio series is a co-production of Symphony Space and WNYC, New York Public Radio, and is heard on public radio stations nationwide.

At the end of his life, St. Francis reflects on all that took place during his life. Historically correct, a play that takes St. Francis out of the birdbath. A drama in two acts.

The Telepaths were not finished with Erwyn and Clement Green, fortunately for them. But they were the jerks that handed the Greens over to the Aliens! So what gives? A trip back in time for them both, courtesy of Marian's discarded Gift of Need. How can two convicted criminals survive in the wilds of Pre-Columbian New England? Not easily, as it turns out.

Four very short stories, all told in the first person, some that cannot, and others that should not, happen in our lifetimes.

In the winter of 1836, a young journalist named Charles Dickens held an infant in his arms. Only eight months of age, Ruby Spriggs was living under the most deplorable conditions that existed in London. Crushing poverty seemed her only future. Through the intervention of kind patrons, the child blossoms into a young woman instilled with a love of learning and books. But the forces that Dickens fought against for most of his life threaten to destroy her.

When Lady Moira Brennan leaves her home at Brennan Castle for the wilds of her own homestead claim in the Montana territory, she has no idea that a husband awaits her. Sold into marriage by her uncle, she arrives to find a bleak landscape of scarce farmers, all desperately trying to scratch out a living on their claims. Pryor MacAteer came to Montana himself only three years ago, and his farm has prospered. All that he needs to make it complete is a wife and family, one whose passage he paid, and whose name is on the marriage contract.

Set against the bloody background of the French Revolution, this is perhaps Dickens' most famous work. Doctor Manette, his devoted daughter Lucie, and the young French aristocrat Charles Darnay are memorable characters. Above all the others rises the reckless Sidney Carton, whose selfless love makes him one of literature's great heroes.

Adelaide and Clement have one more meeting, courtesy of the Telepaths. This time they are accompanied by older accomplices, and it is more of a showdown than a courtesy call. The Telepaths, too, have new allies, and ulterior motives are evident from the get-go. Who will succeed, and what if everyone does? Well, nearly everyone.

John, son of Zebadiah, was truly special to Christ, whom he treated as a little brother. See the history that built up to the ultimate sacrifice through the eyes of that worshipful teen.

St. Joseph was a middle-aged widower with a large family when he was called to become St. Mary's husband. A conservative Jew of the line of David, he was not prepared for the changes that would be made in his life. He absolutely was not ready to take orders from a supernatural vision who called himself Gabriel!

A dramatic monologue performed by Charles D. Baker. St. John is reflecting on his life in the company of friends and well-wishers during his last day on Earth. This is a beautiful devotion to a humble, holy man. St. John recalls and recites scriptures from the Old and New Testaments. Mr. Baker tours this production as well as his others on the lives of St. Paul and St. Francis of Assisi.

This is a monologue for one male actor. St. Paul explains his mission while taking the audience on a pilgrimage to the places where he is known best including Damascus, Antioch, Corinth, Galatia, Rome, etc. The play gives the audience a chance to hear St. Paul as himself with all of the passion and urgency, and love he would have expressed so many years ago.

How many times can a person's spirit be broken before it is irreparable? And if the family is the problem, then what is the solution? Back to Coventry County to see just how Marcella and Mike make out. Pun intended.

The battle continues. Sheriff Mike struggles to control. Marcella rebels and plots revenge. This is not a private fight; the whole family is invited! But what happens when someone crashes the party?