Telling Tales of Bmore

"My story of failure is about losing my hair. Not this bald symbol of first warning weather. I'm talking about losing the hair that got me the job in television in the first place." So began Marty Bass, anchor and weatherman at WJZ-13, as he launched into his seven-minute story standing on the stage at the Creative Alliance at the Patterson during the inaugural Stoop Storytelling Series in 2006.

Since then, a dog walker, firefighter, restaurateur, acupuncturist, dolphin trainer, and trolley enthusiast, among others, have each had seven minutes on stage to tell their unscripted true story.

It All Started When...

Laura Wexler began this chapter while vacationing in San Francisco in 2005  when a friend Invited her to see a storytelling series. "I thought it sounded like a lame idea at the time," recalls Wexler, "but we went anyway and it was tremendous. I'd been to plenty of shows, literary readings, all sorts of those things, but this was really unique and powerful." 

Afterwards, with the stories of the acclaimed Porchlight Storytelling Series still running through her mind, the proverbial lightbulb came on. "I had this classic moment of walking out of the theater and saying, 'I have to do this in Baltimore.'" Once back in the city, she called her friend Jessica Henkin and said "let's do this together." And that's how the Stoop Storytelling Series was born.

Each show in the series follows a different theme and features seven storytellers, famous Baltimoreans and common folks alike, who have seven minutes each to share their personal vignettes around that theme. From the Stoop's first outing delving into tales of failure for which Bass told of wearing a hair piece and eventually taking it off, they've ranged from stories about cohabitation, traveling, the holidays, and pets, to family secrets, immigration, and fear.
 
"We based the first show on failures in case it didn't go well. Then it would be life imitating art," jokes Wexler.

7-minute Wonders

But fail, it did not. The first show was a sell-out, as was every show following it until Wexler and Henkin decided to move to a larger venue in 2007. There, at the Center Stage, they had more than double the seating but still had to turn people away. "Capacity is about 540 and we have still sold out nearly every show. It's a real testament to the thirst for authentic storytelling," says Wexler.

Although they have quite a following, Wexler says if you've never been there, the appeal may be a bit hard to understand. "It's a little Prairie Home Companion, Baltimore-style," she says.

"It's Baltimore told by Baltimoreans. If you listen to all the stories over the years, you'll really understand Baltimore. That's the lofty, overarching goal." But the primary goal for each show, she says, is to let people be themselves. "It's really their story."

A Bard Is Born

That's what stood out to law clerk Michael Ziccardi when he attended the sports themed show in June. "The show is about bringing in real people to the stage, telling real stories, and sharing real emotions with an audience," he says.

Like Wexler, Ziccardi wasn't sure what to think when he was invited to attend a storytelling series, so he went to the Center Stage website to find out more before making a decision. "It looked genuinely interesting," he says, so he accepted the invitation. Little did he know that he would end up at the microphone himself before the end of the night.

"Immediately before intermission, Jess and Laura, the bonny hosts of the show, announced that if you threw your name into the hat, you could potentially be an 'audience storyteller.' Confident that I had a good enough story to tell, I threw my name into the hat and begged the attendant to pick my name." Moments later he was telling an old story from his days as a cross-country runner, which involved "three culprits, a dead dog shark, and a girls' locker room," he says.

Radio Days

Following his impromptu performance, Ziccardi got an e-mail from Wexler and Henkin asking if he would return for the Baltimoored: Summer in City show in July which would debut a new format � an old-time-radio style variety show. Radio skits and musical numbers would fill out the program's seven storytellers.

Ziccardi, who did some theater in his high school and college days enjoyed being in front of an audience again when he went to the sports show, so he accepted the offer. "Needless to say, when I found out I would be going the same night as Clarke Peters, I legitimately freaked out. I mean we are talking about Detective Lester Freamon," he says, referring to Peters' role on the HBO drama The Wire.

Live musicians, sound effects, props, fedoras, suspenders, bow ties, polka dots, and two packs of ice cold Natty Boh were waiting for Ziccardi when he arrived. The theater had the look of an old time radio show with lighted signs indicating whenever the program was "on air" and when audience members should applaud. Possibly adding to the pressure and excitement for storytellers that night was the fact that their performances would be recorded and broadcast on WYPR over the following two weeks.

First up to the mic that night, Ziccardi says he knew he'd have to put his nerves aside to tell his story, and it was Peters who helped him do it. "Clarke Peters was kind enough to stand outside with me and speak about his career, Baltimore, and many of his experiences. He was truly a class-act, and it made me feel very relaxed before the show. It also proved that Mr. Peters, as with the other storytellers that night, is a truly genuine person, a man of Baltimore who is aware of the city."

Story Time

After telling his story, an old law school tale involving a collapsed deck and a bruised ego, Ziccardi says he would recommend to anyone that they throw their name into the proverbial hat. "Baltimore is a diverse city. It's a different city, with different people, and everyone has a story to share. The stories I heard ranged from funny, to sad, with a little of everything mixed in between. That's genuine," he says.

Wexler says the radio variety show was not the Stoop's first special show and it's likely to not be the last. "We've done a couple of special Stoop shows like the holiday show in 2008, and a big show at the Meyerhoff, but true personal tales will always be at the core of it." And she says they're always looking for new storytellers to share their personal tales for upcoming shows. "People might not think they have a story to tell, but that's not true."

Just about everyone has a story whether they want to share it or not. The most recent performance was all about firsts -- first jobs, first time away from home and first loves. In November, storytellers will tell stories about cooking, eating and other food-related issues.