The Maid of Maiden Lane (dramatic reading)

Amelia E. Barr (1831 - 1919)

The Maid of Maiden lane is a wonderful love story in which Mrs. Barr intertwines the hot political and social issues that were occurring in America during the last decade of the 18th century with an excellent love story plot. Some of those issues include: the moral dilemma and debate over the French Revolution, and how that event touched the lives of the immigrants in America; the prejudices between the immigrants from England, and those from France or Holland, and how those animosities affected the ordinary lives of the people; and the political debate over titles, foreign policy, and such things(for example)as where the capital of the nation was to reside, New York or Philadelphia. The author gives us a picture of New York City that is vastly different from today, with it's residential areas and tree lined roads as the backdrop for this very interesting drama. Cornelia, the Maiden of Maiden lane, is loved by two young men. Who she chooses, and the obstacles that the two face because of the opposition of their fathers, friends, and a huge mistake that turns everything upside down, propels the story towards its climax, where a surprise character, spiritual in nature, comes to the rescue, while sacrificing her own desire for love to help the two lovers. Good character, love, and the family ties and relationships that existed during those times are very well portrayed by the author, and the book is as interesting from a historical point of view as it is from a truly interesting and sweet old fashioned love story. (Summary by Robert Hoffman)

Cast:
Narrators: Tiffany Halla Colonna and Beth Thomas

Cornelia Moran: Grace

George Hyde: Chuck Williamson

Arenta Van Ariens: Amanda Friday

Ava Moran: CaprishaPage

Annie Hyde: Victoria Martin

Aunt Angelica: Elizabeth Klett

Richard Hyde: Ron Altman

Kate Hyde: MJ Franck

Joris Van Heemskirk: Algy Pug

Lysbet Van Heemskirk: Kristin Gjerløw

John Moran: Robert Hoffman

Rem Van Ariens: Michael Reuss

Peter Van Ariens: David Lawrence

Jacobus Van Ariens: ToddHW

an Englishman: Beth Thomas

John Adams: ToddHW

Mrs. Adams: April Gonzales

Mrs. Smith: KateC

Thomas Jefferson: Ken Garrett

Mrs. Wiley: KateC

Mary Damer: Charlotte Duckett

Anthony Clymer: Nathanial W.C. Higgins

Doctor Roslyn: Nathanial W.C. Higgins

Captain Jacobus: Nathanial W.C. Higgins

Prooflisteners: Tisha Bordon, Beth Thomas and David Lawrence

Audio edited by: Robert Hoffman, ToddHW and David Lawrence

Genre(s): Dramatic Readings, Family Life, Historical Fiction

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 Cast Intro, Chapter 1 - The Home of Cornelia Moran Group 00:18:32
Play 02 Chapter 2 - This is the Way of Love Group 00:29:52
Play 03 Chapter 3 - Hyde and Arenta Elizabeth Klett
Robert Hoffman
00:32:04
Play 04 Chapter 4 - Throwing Things into Confusion Group 00:56:23
Play 05 Chapter 5 - Turning Over a New Leaf Group 00:37:58
Play 06 Chapter 6 - Aunt Angelica 00:40:08
Play 07 Chapter 7 - Arenta's Marriage David Lawrence
00:29:12
Play 08 Chapter 8 - Two Proposals 00:35:31
Play 09 Chapter 9 - Misdirected Letters 00:35:19
Play 10 Chapter 10 - Life Tied in a Knot Group 00:48:39
Play 11 Chapter 11 - We Have Done With Tears and Treasons 00:38:35
Play 12 Chapter 12 - A Heart That Waits 00:33:01
Play 13 Chapter 13 - The New Days Come 00:30:25
Play 14 Chapter 14 - Hush! Love is Here! 00:29:44