Philadelphia in 1776 was a city on the brink of revolution, and one pamphlet helped change the course of history. On Tuesday, June 23 at 4 PM, the Desert Foothills Library invites the community to experience Citizen Tom Paine, a lively staged reading based on Howard Fast’s bestselling historical novel.
Performed in the Jones/Coates Room by local actors John Genette, Peter Strupp, and Phyllis Strupp, the program brings to life the dramatic days when Thomas Paine published Common Sense, the powerful work that inspired colonists to support independence and helped rally George Washington’s struggling army. The performance will be followed by a brief Q&A discussing the enduring relevance of Paine’s ideas today.
John Genette has extensive experience adapting novels for the stage and has appeared in several original shows, primarily at Arizona State’s Empty Space Theater. Peter and Phyllis Strupp have performed on local stages for many years including numerous Desert Foothills Theater productions. They have also produced a film, Better from Within, based on Phyllis’s latest book, which has been selected for several film festivals.
The 50-minute presentation combines history, literature, and live theater in an engaging afternoon program for anyone interested in America’s founding era. Admission is free. Register online at dfla.org.