Sink or Sprint

In the tense days of World War I, British Prime Minister David McAdam vanishes on his way to a secret Allied conference in France. Intercepted by clever impostors and a carefully orchestrated decoy car, the leader has seemingly evaporated into thin air. With a looming 24-hour deadline before international politics collapse, the government turns to the only man who can solve the impossible: Hercule Poirot. Masterfully brought to life by DC's award-winning actor David Bryan Jackson, this performance captures all the tension, high stakes, and sharp-witted brilliance of the world's favorite Belgian detective. Featuring musical renditions of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and Irving Berlin’s classic “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” by Chicago trumpeter Markus Rutz, his musical collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz and The Markus Rutz Band.  

Experience Washington Irving’s gothic masterpiece like never before. In our latest episode, award-winning vocal artist Christopher Lane delivers an immersive, bone-chilling audio rendering of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Step into the mist-shrouded valleys of Tarry Town and follow the superstitious Ichabod Crane on his fateful, midnight ride. Will he escape the region's most infamous specter, or will the Headless Horseman claim another victim? With signature music performed by Grammy-recognized trumpeter Markus Rutz, pianist Adrian Ruiz and the Markus Rutz band. 

In today’s episode, we are diving into the whimsical world of the Hundred Acre Wood with Chapter 8 of A.A. Milne’s classic Winnie-the-Pooh. Join us as Christopher Robin leads the entire crew—Pooh, Piglet, Rabbit, Eeyore, and all of Rabbit's friends and relations—on a grand "Expedition" to discover the North Pole. Whether you are revisiting a childhood favorite or sharing these timeless characters with someone new, this chapter is full of warmth, wit, and wonder. Gather the whole family to hear award-winning vocal artist Christopher Lane deliver a truly unforgettable, heartwarming performance alongside signature music by Grammy-recognized trumpeter Markus Rutz and his collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz rendering “The Hundred Acre Woods” theme song composed by Richard C. Washer. 

One cannot swim, the other cannot run, and summer camp is about to break two best friends as they navigate the ultimate scouting gauntlet. Tune into “Lifesaving” by Peter S. Bernard, a hilarious look at the two least athletic teenagers in scout history trying to earn their merit badges at the Baiting Hollow Scout Camp on Long Island Sound. Featuring the vocal artistry of award-winning DC actor Rick Foucheux, plus the musical vignettes inspired by George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” and “My Blue Heaven,” performed by Chicago jazz trumpeter Markus Rutz, alongside his collaborator on the keys, Adrian Ruiz, and The Markus Rutz Band.  

Experience the birth of America like never before.  In this special July  episode, professional voice actors bring history to life through the raw, emotional letters of John Adams and a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence.  Travel back to 1776 to hear the personal doubts, fierce convictions, and visionary hopes of the people who risked everything for freedom.  It is not just history - it is the human story behind the holiday.  Featuring acclaimed DC actors Rick Foucheux and Chris Stezin with signature music performed by Grammy-recognized trumpeter Markus Rutz, pianist Adrian Ruiz and the Markus Rutz band. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.  

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.