William Sidney Porter, better known by his pen name, O. Henry wrote several short stories about his experiences and often ended them with clever twist endings. Playwright Joe Hoesel has produced more than 80 of the author’s works for audiences.
“Almost all of them are comical but there is a point to most of them and a good point. For example, Lost On Dress Parade the boy that finds this girl attractive tries to over sell himself by saying he’s wealthy etc. and she happens to be wealthy and is not really interested in him because she wants a man of purpose rather than someone who brags about himself,” said Hoesel.
The production also features live performances of vintage American music.
“We don’t talk about his life growing up in Greensboro and we don’t talk about his imprisonment in the penitentiary when he was on trial for embezzlement and the stories he wrote are between 1900 and 1910 and so they are over 100 years old and some of the songs that you hear are about that age to and they are really wonderful,” said Hoesel.
Nine more performances will take place through September 18. For more information on 5 by O. Henry click here www.GreensboroHistory.org.
