Sadly, Stan Frantz, the actor producing his father's play about life working down the Steel has been forced to cancel all performances of The 28 Inch Mill except for the July 4th, 2:00 pm matinee due to poor attendance. He hopes those who still had planned on coming to see the show will be able to attend that performance making for better audience attendance and a better experience for all.

"I am mystified as to the poor attendance. The local media has done a terrific job of supporting us and getting the word out and this is such a relevant piece for the local community. But financially it has been rough. I'm producing this out of my own pocket and the bottom line reality was just too much to bear and I had to shut down. I felt that I was letting down those who really did want to still see the play, so I have kept the July 4th Special Performance for Steelworkers/Veterans and I hope that even though that's a busy day for a lot of people, that the rest of the community who has an interest in this piece will make it down to see it."

- Stan Frantz, actor, producer The 28 Inch Mill

Audience Reactions

Reaction from those who have seen the play has been strong and heartfelt:

"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

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"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

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"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

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"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

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"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

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From the Steelworkers' Archives re. 1st Annual Bethlehem Historical and Cultural Festival:

To the residents of the Lehigh Valley:

I would like to thank all the people who participated and attended the 1st Bethlehem Historical and Cultural festival.  A great deal of energy and effort by many talented people, all volunteers, went into planning and producing this event.  Hosted by the Steelworkers' Archives and the Pennsylvania Federation of Injured Workers, the event was held 'under the bridge' in Bethlehem on June 11th, 12th, and 13th.

Thousands of you came out to tour what is left of the once great Bethlehem Plant of the 'Steel.' Others came to hear stories or music or historic demonstrations and displays. Still others came out of curiosity, in light of recent development interests.

Many of you registered family and relatives in our database, and some brought memorabilia of a different time in our history, a time that some would sooner forget, surrounding the demise of our once great industrial past. 

Only about 40 of you saw the play The 28 Inch Mill, performed by Stan Frantz and written by his steelworker father, Robert Frantz. This play is an absolute jewel! It gives great insight into what life at 'The Steel' was really like. Those that saw the play were moved deeply by Stan's performance. The play was to run through the 11th of July, but has been canceled as the result of personal financial losses due to poor attendance. There will be one last chance to see this phenomenal work. Stan has decided to give one special memorial performance on July 4th at 2:00 PM. The cost is $5.00 for steelworkers and veterans. Who said 'Those who do not remember the past are condemned to relive it'? Take advantage of this last chance and be sure and see this play.

- Bruce J. Ward, President, Steelworkers' Archives

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Full priced tickets($15.00) and Discounted tickets for Steelworkers and Veterans ($5.00) may be purchased online at the web site and may also be purchased at the theatre box office starting at 12 noon, July 4th.

Tickets for the show may be reserved by emailing stan@syndesigns.com or calling 610 261 4088.

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Press Release #1: March 26 - Son to Perform Father's Drama of Steel Mill Experiences
Press Release #2: May 5 - Mayor's Press Conference to Announce Steelworkers' Festival
Press Release #3: May 19 - Date Added - June 18 Now available
Press Release #4: June 5 - Early Reactions to Upcoming Production
Press Release #5: June 19 - Poor Attendance Forces Cancellation of All Shows but July 4th
Press Release #6: June 23 - Last Chance to See The 28 Inch Mill - Reactions from the Audience