Joanna Trotter Tribute Show, Episode #55

This special show departs from the standard format of Stories From Graceland Pond. We're honoring our fellow cast member who died suddenly in January 2023. Joanna Trotter was and will remain a treasured colleague in storytelling and a dear friend. We treasure her memory and the fine art she created with her writing and performances.

This show features 11 storytellers who each provide a remembrance of Joanna. These are touching and deeply felt stories coming directly from the heart. And, it's celebratory, funny, sweet, and creative. Joanna appears,-- we took a clip from a previous show where she talks about the various "new beginnings" in her life.

Gregg Fraley and Nina Alexandra host these writers, Improv people, and other creatives who knew her well.

Following the two-hour storytelling/remembrances part of this recording is a 30-minute musical tribute. These are mostly songs that Joanna liked or that were suggested as songs she might have liked. It includes Michael Feinstein, Mike Nesmith, Bruce Springsteen, The Waterboys, a song from the sounds track to The Commitments movie, Pheobe Snow, The Cranberries, Bob Dylan, and The Corrs.

Guest storytellers and where they show up:

Gregg Fraley and Nina Alexandra Introduction 00:00 -- which includes a letter from her family.

Mary Dean Cason 6:30 -- reading of a funny Irish sketch MD and Jo performed

Fred Rubin 16:40 -- a poem

Joanna Trotter 27:30 -- her story for the New Beginning themed show on SFGP

Kate Ryan 46:05 -- positive memories and remarks about the blessings of a peaceful death

Kathy Postilion 55:47 -- a story of a solid friendship

Marijo O'Connell 1:07:10 -- a view from someone who "hardly knew ye"

Sam Rath 1:15 -- back in the Improv days

Mark Maguire 1:27:57 -- "an urchin, a waif, and a sprite"

Doug Stevenson 1:39:30 -- invisible connections SFGP story-tellers share

Cindy Caponera 1:51:15 -- from Springsteen parties to "she'll be a ghost"

Music Segment starts at 2:08