Diane Wolkstein: The Stories

Performance Repertoire

"In the stories she tells, Wolkstein reaches deeply into the treasures of world mythology. Her voice is often that of an ancient Greek chorus, intoning a wisdom that lies almost silent in the collective human consciousness."
National Storytelling Journal.

	Story	Time	Synopsis
	*Elsie Piddock Skips in Her Sleep* by Eleanor Farjeon (England)	30 to 45 minutes	Elsie Piddock skips to save the land for her community. A story of commitment, passion, and deep ecology with audience participation. The High Skip, The Sly Skip, The Skip like a Feather; The Long Skip, The Strong Skip, The Skip All Together. For over 30 years, in September, Diane has been telling "Elsie Piddock" at the Statue of Hans Christian Andersen in Central Park. A joyous skip roping contest, open to all ages, follows the telling. Check our calendar for the date — bring your skip ropes and join us!
	*Esther* Bible	30 to 40 minutes	A young Jewish orphan is chosen to be queen by the King of Persia. At a certain moment she must choose between her life and the lives of her people. A humorous, joyous story in which official authority is undermined and a woman's wisdom prevails.
Photo: Kaye Lindauer.	Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen	30 to 90 minutes	Hans Christian Andersen's tales are witty, pungent, humorous, and literary for ages six and up. At left, Diane telling one of her favorite Andersen stories "Hans Clodhopper": "Hans jumped on his billygoat. It was his own and strong enough to carry him."
Photo: Ari Ress.	Haitian Stories: "I'm Tipingee," "The Magic Orange Tree," "Bouki Dances the Kokioko," "The Banza"	30 to 60 minutes	Evocative, poignant stories for all ages which elicit participation and empathy — stories about how we live together in a community.
	*Hannah* Bible	35 minutes	Hannah disregards her co—wife's tormentings, her husband's misunderstanding, and the priest's disdain to ask for her heart's desire: a child who will be a righteous leader to guide the people. A moving, tender tale of intention and commitment.
	Hasidic Stories: Tales of the Baal Shem Tov, Rabbi Nachman, the Seer of Lublin, and Shlomo Carlebach	30 to 90 minutes	These stories are peopled with princesses, clay–diggers, water–carriers, schleppers, and hidden wise ones. They are stories of spiritual renewal, blessing, and transformation.
Photo: Valerie Sieyes.	*Inanna* Mesopotamian	30 to 90 minutes	The 5,000 year–old epic of the goddess Inanna's courtship, queen–ship, descent into the underworld and rebirth. With Geoffrey Gordon, accompanist.
	*Joseph* Bible	30 to 60 minutes	Joseph passes from dreamer to man of action, from slave to governor of Egypt, and from arrogant son to the one who rebinds and reunites the family. A story of reconciliation.
	*Judith* Apocrypha	30 to 45 minutes	Every country between Babylon and Israel surrenders to Nebuchadnezzar's army of 170,000 soldiers. Judea is also ready to surrender. Judith finds a way to save her people. The story invites discussion concerning devotion, violence, and courage.
	*Layla and Majnun* Arabic/Persian	30 to 60 minutes	As a child, Majnun ("madman") gives his heart to Layla ("night"), defying his tribal obligations. After a time, his devotion to Layla becomes devotion to the One. This most passionate eleventh—century Persian love story is as well known in the Arabic world as Romeo and Juliet.
	*Monkey: Journey to the West* China	30 to 120 minutes	Monkey seeks immortality in his first voyage. In his second, he and the Chinese monk travel to India to meet the Buddha. A wise, humorous, poignant epic.
	*Moses* Bible	30 to 60 minutes	Moses leads the Hebrew people from slavery to freedom. Moses represents the potential in each of us to be called by a new vision.
	*Psyche and Eros* Latin	30 to 60 minutes	The princess Psyche has everything: beauty, adoration, fame. When she loses her beloved, she must confront Aphrodite, her dire enemy, who sets for her four seemingly impossible tasks. C.G. Jung considered this the seminal myth in Western civilization.
Photo: Philip David Morgan.	*Ruth* Bible	30 to 40 minutes	Courageous and devoted, Ruth, the Moabite, gives up her land, parents, and religion to be with her mother–in–law Naomi. Ruth, the supposed enemy, redeems Judah. The most compassionate story in the Bible. With Michael Braudy & Ken Yamazaki.
	*Shiva and Sati* Indian/Hindu	35 minutes	A poignant, breathtakingly tender seventh—century Hindu story about the gods, passion, and compassion.
	*Song of Songs* Bible	30 to 40 minutes	Biblical love poetry of delight, mystery and longing.
	Tricksters & Fools	30 to 60 minutes	Stories from countries about the trickster who tricks us into finding our true potential.
Photo: Alice Springs Times, Australia.	Wisdom Tales from Around the World Haiti, India, China, Australia, Africa…	30 to 60 minutes	Stories with commentary and audience participation and discussion for all ages.