The 28 Inch Mill
A Dramatic Memoir of Life "Down the Steel"
Written by Robert D. Frantz – A Solo Performance by Stanley R. Frantz
The Ice House, Bethlehem, PA
Presented by the Steelworkers' Archives and the PA Federation of Injured Workers |
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If you attended the performance, or even if you didn't and support our efforts to keep
the story of the steel alive and would like to help us recover from the financial loss
we suffered due to having to close the play from lack of sales, please make a donation.
Thanks!
Video & DVD
This performance of The 28 Inch Mill was taped on June 24, 2004 at the
Icehouse in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania directly across the Lehigh River from the site of the
former Bethlehem Steel Plant. No Audience was present. It was recorded as a continuous live theatrical
performance.
Live public performances were held June 11, 12, 13, 18 and July 4, 2004
Video/DVD Produced by Bruce Ward
Audience Comments
"In this wonderful play written by retired steelworker Robert D. Frantz, his son Stanley
reincarnates the 28 inch rolling mill at Bethlehem Steel. Anyone that worked, is related to,
or even knows anyone who worked at the Steel must view this magnificent performance. Stanley
Frantz truly has steelworker blood running through his veins as he spiritually and
physically brings the 28 inch mill back to life. This masterful production ends in a
crescendo and for a few moments you can smell and feel the hot steel and hear the musical
sounds only experienced by those of us that were fortunate to stand next to a live rolling
mill."
- George Pinkey, Retired Steelworker, 31 years, worked on the combination mill that replaced
the 28
"Through the powerful one-man performance of Stan Frantz
in The 28 Inch Mill the audience is treated to a living history
experience of life down the Steel. Reminiscences of the main character, Karl
Yoder, offer viewers a unique opportunity to peek into the social, economic
and political history of an average steelworker during the mid-20th
century. This play is a must-see, not only for former steelworkers, but
for all Americans who are proud of their heritage and the accomplishments we
have achieved. ALL Valley residents should attend this performance for a rare
opportunity to experience a piece of true, local Americana. Kudos to Stan
and his father for offering a powerful play with true substance and
meaning."
- Amey Senape, Co-Founder Save Our Steel, Historian,
Preservationist
"Stan's performance in The 28 Inch Mill offers a
fascinating look into the life of a steelworker both inside and outside the
mill. The audience experiences the camaraderie of the multi-ethnic
workforce in the first half of the 20th century through portrayals of their
work and social lives. Stan's energetic crescendo of men bringing
The 28 online after a shutdown is a triumphant climax that accurately
portrays the intensity of the hard and dangerous life of
steel."
- Michael Kramer, Co-Founder Save Our Steel,
Preservationist, Mechanical Engineer
"This play is a powerful presentation of the work and social experience
of hundreds of thousands of steel mill workers whose blood, sweat and tears
provided the beams that raised high the modern city and rolled the plate that
sent ships and tanks to war. While the stately row of blast furnaces spread
their shadows across the city of Bethlehem, the daily life of the men who
toiled in and around them was never celebrated on television or discussed in
classrooms. Stan Frantz pours his heart and considerable acting talents into
this rich meaty slice of life 'down the steel'. If you ever worked in a mill,
this performance will ring true and touch home. If you never did, but always
wondered about those who made their living amidst fire and molten metal, this
play will give you a taste of a way of life that is disappearing from an
American landscape that it played a major part in creating."
- Dr. Charles McCollester, PhD. President of the PA Labor History
Society & Battle of Homestead Foundation
"The 28 Inch Mill is a warmly humorous, richly human and deeply affecting
evening spent not just with history, but with wonderfully real people with real stories. Actor
Stan Frantz takes you into the heat, the heart, the humor of the 28 Inch Mill and 'The Steel.'
- George Miller & Kate Scuffle, Producers, BlueSelkie
Poster
The poster for the 2004 production of The 28 Inch Mill was originally printed
on a color copier in an edition of 25, all but 2 of which were posted in public, current
whereabouts unknown. Of the remaining 2, one was sold to a collector and the other
remains in the collection of the producer and designer, Stan Frantz.
Additional copies may be obtained and will be printed exactly the same as the
original edition on the same copier and on the same stock from the original .PDF file.
12" x 18"
T-Shirts
Coming Soon!
The 28 Inch Mill Home
If you attended the performance, or even if you didn't and
support our efforts to keep the story of the steel alive and would like to help
us recover from the financial loss we suffered due to having to close the play
from lack of sales, please make a donation. Thanks!
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