GuestbookComments from our visitors: By: Amey Senape who_is: Co-Founder Save Our Steel, Historian, Preservationist Date: June 21, 2004 CommentsThrough 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. By: Michael Kramer who_is: Co-Founder Save Our Steel, Preservationist, Mechanical Engineer Date: June 21, 2004 CommentsStan'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. By: Dr. Charles McCollester, PhD. who_is: President of the PA Labor History Society & Battle of Homestead Foundation Date: June 22, 2004 CommentsThis 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." By: George Pinkey who_is: Retired Steelworker, 31 years, worked on the combination mill that replaced the 28 Date: June 23, 2004 CommentsIn 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. By: George Miller & Kate Scuffle who_is: Producers, BlueSelkie Date: June
24, 2004 CommentsThe 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.'
CommentsI had the opportunity to see this twice. I brought my high school daughters and their friend the second time because I was so impressed with the content and presentation. It was a chance to see living history through the eyes of a person who was very real and genuine. It's like he's talking to you in the kitchen during the entire performance. The last sequence in the mill was so realistic and captivating. Mr. Frantz's performance was outstanding. I think that this is one way to help our children and others who have not been exposed to this type of hard work to connect with the heritage of the Steel workers. WLVT has a whole documentary about Bethlehem Steel. I think that this would be a wonderful addition to that collection. I was impressed that he took the time after the show on Saturday to speak with me and the kids about the play and his father.
CommentsAfter seeing the play, I had a totally different view of things. I'm only 14, so seeing how it was for people early on, it was a totally different experience. Mr. Frantz made it come so alive, and it was so believable! I highly suggest that everyone should see this play. You see a new perspective, you see the workers as shapers of this nation, and you see them as more than just workers. You see the truth. It was amazing.
CommentsDear Stan, I want to let you know that my daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed the July 4 performance of "the 28 Inch Mill." The play captured the camaraderie of the plant with its mix of ethnic groups working together to make a living in what most of us agree is as close as one can get to hell itself. I worked for one summer in the blast furnaces as a member of the "sand gang" who loaded sand onto the furnaces from a flat bed truck below. We knew our place in their shanty, and who sat where and when and how you dare not touch any of their food. We were college boys who soon came to realize just how hard working there really was. The play echoed that. My wife's dad, Walter Bankowski, was a roller on the 36" I think. He had his crew who depended upon one another like a combat patrol to get the job not only done, but done right and at maximum speed so they could make the maximum tonnage rate. They each made more than double the salary of a second year teacher. There was a bond there that was universal. They were damn good at what they did, and they knew it. My daughter and I discussed the play for days after the event. She and I both agree that the steel workers are still very bitter, if not phenomenally angry with the company for allowing foreign competitors THAT THEY TAUGHT to undercut their product in the market and drive them out of work. And CEOs and VPs who feathered their nests with cushy retirements and outrageous salaries. I firmly believe that the play should to performed for America's youth so that they can see what really made this diverse nation great. I suggest you continue to perform it whenever and wherever you can. I also hope that a film producer will see the potential for the play in a feature film utilizing the archive film of the company (I know they have plenty of it) as a back drop for the play. It could be a fabulous PBS special. Thanks again for a wonderful play, Roger Hudak
CommentsI was a millwright for Bethlehem Steel for the last 25 years that they operated my plant in Steelton. I left the mill in March 2004,less them a year after ISG bought the company. We had a 28-inch mill in Steelton, and I worked there often. There is no greater legacy than to have worked in steel. I am now working toward a college degree so that I will be employable in the business world. A retiree friend of mine told me that "everything you'll ever need to know about life, you've already learned in the mill." It was a privilege to work with so many smart, funny, wonderful men. I know my experiences in the mill will serve me well in the future. I was the last and only, since 1989, female millwright in the rail mill of Steelton. Steelmaking is a fine and noble profession, it was a honor to have been part of it. Buy The DVD/Video & more!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!
The28InchMill.com is Copyright © 2004
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
