David PB Stephens is a graduate of Denison University, Granville, OH, with a B.A. in History and Religious Studies. He was a member of the acting company at Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island for seven years, and a Visiting Artist in the Arts in Education Program of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. His regional theater credits include the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, the American Repertory Theater, Charlotte Rep, the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse and Yale Repertory Theatre.
About the story
“THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER”
By Stephen Vincent Benét
Hailed as an instant classic when published in The Saturday Evening Post in 1936, Stephen Vincent Benét’s “The Devil and Daniel Webster” stands in the front ranks of great American short stories. A hard-luck New Hampshire farmer sells his soul to the Devil and then in contrition enlists the help of Daniel Webster, “…the Union’s stay and New Hampshire’s pride…” to win it back in trial. The Devil summons a judge and jury of the worst criminals and traitors from our history, and Webster must convince them to set free their fellow man. Can he? The verdict is a testament to Benét’s deep faith in the flawed beauty of the American journey.
About A Telling of the story
“THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER”
It began as a memorization exercise and evolved into a forty-minute recitation requiring no stage set, props, or special lighting.
A post-show discussion with Mr. Stephens is included.
David’s Previous Engagements of the Telling of the “Devil & Daniel Webster” include:
Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, Vineyard Haven, MA
Swan’s Fine Books, Walnut Creek, CA
Chilmark Community Center, Chilmark, MA
American Corn Millers Federation, Edgartown, MA
Classical High School, Providence, RI
Pettaquamscutt Historical Society, Kingston, RI
Clipper Cruise Lines, Vineyard Haven, MA
The New England Association of Teachers of English, Plymouth, MA
The Devil & Daniel Webster 