Ralph Waldo Emerson: The Sage of Concord

About the program:

In this often funny and touching one-man show, playwright/actor Philip Paradis brings Ralph Waldo Emerson to life with his characteristic wit, wisdom, and self-effacing manner in this dramatic portrayal based on Emerson’s life and writings.

Through the magic of reader’s theatre, you will meet Ralph Waldo Emerson in his home in Concord, Massachusetts, in September of 1871. As you travel back in time to America 150 years ago, you will be introduced to the man Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes called “the Buddha of the West.”

Emerson shares anecdotes of his life and times, his views on reading and writing, nature, religion, science, and his contemporaries Henry David Thoreau, the Alcotts, and Abraham Lincoln; you will leave hopeful, inspired by his wisdom and optimistic philosophy.

Free parking is available in the church lot.

About the playwright/actor:

Phil Paradis is best known for FOOTPRINTS OF THE POLAR BEAR & OTHER ECO-CENTRIC PLAYS (about climate change/environmental degradation), SOLDIER'S CHRISTMAS, a play with song about the World War I Christmas Truce of 1914, and his one-man shows RALPH WALDO EMERSON: THE SAGE OF CONCORD; and EVENING WITH STEPHEN CRANE which brings to life onstage the author of The Red Badge of Courage.

Twenty-seven of his plays have been produced in New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, Cincinnati, Louisville, Spokane, Fort Thomas, Newport, KY and Newport, RI. His awards include a Kentucky New Play Series Award, a Cincinnati Directors Competition Grand Prize for FOOTPRINTS OF THE POLAR BEAR, and an Audience Choice Award at 24 EXPERIMENT, Point Loma Actors Theater, San Diego.

Phil is a Resident Playwright at American Theatre of Actors, Manhattan Repertory Theatre and member of the Dramatists Guild. He has served as an editor and editorial consultant and on the faculties of Northern Kentucky University, Iowa State University, Western Carolina University, and Oklahoma State University. He directs Actors & Playwrights Collaborative. For more, see www.philparadis.com.

Host or Publisher Harriet Beecher Stowe House