Episodes

  • The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
    Jun 1 2026

    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.

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    39 mins
  • “Winnie-the-Pooh” Chapters 6 & 7
    May 4 2026

    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 Hundred Acre Woods” theme song composed by Richard C. Washer.

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    45 mins
  • The Langston Hughes Blues
    Apr 6 2026

    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 imaginative jazz compositions of Chicago trumpeter Markus Rutz, along with his musical collaborators, The Markus Rutz Trio & Quartet.

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    17 mins
  • The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan
    Mar 2 2026

    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 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.

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    40 mins
  • “Winnie-the-Pooh” Chapters 4 & 5
    Feb 2 2026

    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, Adrian Ruiz plus “The Hundred Acre Woods” theme song composed by Richard C. Washer.

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    35 mins
  • Once More Around the Sun
    Jan 5 2026

    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 Rose In-House Musical Group “The Gamut” alongside signature music by Chicago trumpeter Markus Rutz and his collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz.

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    25 mins
  • Should Your Spirits Fall Again…
    Dec 1 2025

    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.

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    26 mins
  • It’s a Dog’s Life
    Nov 3 2025

    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.

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    36 mins