Solo Epics by Charlie Bethel

directed by Amy Rummenie
performed by John Heimbuch

Beowulf

“Listen up. Long ago, when we still asked,
Then we heard tell of heroes, ancient kings,
Of their courageous acts and of the fame
They carved for each himself with swinging sword…”

John Heimbuch performs Charlie Bethel’s tour-de-force adaptation of Beowulf, the classic Old English poem about a warrior king and three famous monsters.

This fierce one-person telling modernizes the wit, vigor, and meaty language of the original Anglo-Saxon epic, making the English’s oldest tale into a relatable high fantasy adventure.

60 minutes, no intermission.

Warning: Beowulf contains descriptions of fantasy violence akin to The Lord of the Rings. It is intended for adults, but may be appropriate for mythology-loving youths.

Beowulf image by Erik A. Evensen, photo by Amy Rummenie

With Dramaturgical Support by Sarah Heller

Gilgamesh

“Gilgamesh will discover the gods’ Big Secret,
And he will swim into the deep abyss,
And he will know a horrifying truth.
I think you know it too.”

When the tyrant-king Gilgamesh befriends the wild-man Enkidu, his heart softens. But the two are beset by gods and monsters on a journey of love to the ends of the earth.

Charlie Bethel’s solo version of the Sumerian epic brings forth the friendship, adventure, and thoughtfulness of the world's oldest story.

50 minutes, no intermission.

Warning: Gilgamesh contains descriptions of sacred sexuality and fantasy violence, and is recommended for audiences 13+.

Gilgamesh image by Erik A. Evensen, photo by Lex Kuzma.

The Odyssey

“O daughter of Zeus, wise Calliope,
You whose very name means beautiful-voiced,
Give strength for me to tell the tale again,
Lend breath for me to speak your words once more,
Of how that man of many twists and turns,
Odysseus the crafty made it home.”

Voyage across land and sea as Odysseus survives shipwrecks, monsters, goddesses, ghosts, and angry suitors in his quest to return to the arms of his loving wife.

90 minutes, one optional intermission

Warning: The Odyssey contains graphic descriptions of fantasy violence and alludes to sexuality. It is intended for adults, but may be appropriate for mythology-loving youths.

Upcoming Performances

Thu, Sept 17 at 5:30pm - The Odyssey at Bryn Mawr College, Pennsylvania

Tue, Sept 22 at 7:00pm - Gilgamesh at Glen Foerd Mansion / Philly Fringe (tickets)
Wed, Sept 23 at 7:00pm - Gilgamesh at Glen Foerd Mansion / Philly Fringe (tickets)

Thu, Sept 24 at 7:00pm - The Odyssey at Plays and Players Theater / Philly Fringe (tickets)
Fri, Sept 25 at 7:00pm - The Odyssey at Plays and Players Theater / Philly Fringe (tickets)
Sat, Sept 26 at 7:00pm - The Odyssey at Plays and Players Theater / Philly Fringe (tickets)
Sun, Sept 27 at 7:00pm - The Odyssey at Plays and Players Theater / Philly Fringe (tickets)

Tue, Sept 29 at 5:00pm - The Odyssey at Providence College, Rhode Island

Thu, Oct 1 at 7:00pm - The Odyssey at Jamberry House, Medford, MA (info & rsvp)

Sun, Oct 11 at 2:00pm - The Odyssey at New York Public Library, Jefferson Market Branch, NY

Reviews, Praise, & Awards

GOLDEN LANYARD AWARD, 2019 Minnesota Fringe Festival
GOLD MEDAL, The TVolution, 2022 Hollywood Fringe

“Just one man, no set, no costume but a hell of a wonderful performance.”
- Ernest Kearney, theTVolution.com, 2022

“Heimbuch tells this story in a crisp and compelling way, using his strong voice and confident stage presence to keep the audience enthralled.  He also spices his delivery with witty asides and sly looks that not only change the narrative pace but give the show a welcome intimacy. You’re no longer watching an actor perform but being entertained by a friend.
- Willard Manus, Total Theater, Los Angeles, 2022

“Heimbuch holds the audience captivated for what feels like it could not have been 60 minutes but was … Filled with action, horror, and a very modern dash of humor, it’s the only way to experience Beowulf if you want it to come alive for you ... It’s a thrilling tale and Heimbuch has a gift for oral storytelling that conveys that excitement to the audience.”
- The Stages of MN, 2024

“Heimbuch was the poet narrator, pulling us into a strange, ancient world of beasts and blood and bravery… He postured, he roared, he fought epic battles. He made us shiver and laugh. It was an hour of powerful theater. Some parts sounded as if they could have been written today, which is true of all great stories.”
- Pamela Espeland, MinnPost, 2020

"Gilgamesh is a fresh, vibrant retelling of the ancient Sumerian story, which wrestles with themes of sex, religion, friendship, honor, death, and immortality... I can guarantee a funny, energetic, and thought-provoking interpretation of the two classic tales."
- Buer Carlie, Lavender Magazine, 2023

PERFORMANCE HISTORY

Walking Shadow Theatre Company at the Black Forest Inn (Beowulf, Feb-March 2026)
The Nordic Spirit Symposium at Cal Lutheran (Beowulf, Feb 2026)
Cedarcliff, Scandia, MN (The Odyssey, Feb 2026)
Badgercat, Minneapolis MN (The Odyssey, Jan 2026)
Anoka Ramsey Community College, Minnesota (Beowulf, Sept 2025)
The Young Performing Arts Center, UW Whitewater (Beowulf & Gilgamesh, Sept 2025)
Glen Foerd Historic Mansion, Philadelphia (Beowulf, Sept 2025)
Quig’s Pub in Plays & Players, Philadelphia (Gilgamesh and The Odyssey, Sept 2025)
Mount Holyoke College (Beowulf, Sept 2025)
Saint Anselm College (Beowulf, Oct 2025)
New York Public Library, NYC (Beowulf, Oct 2025)
Jamberry House, Medford MA (Beowulf, Oct 2025)
Brewery Nønic, Wisconsin (Beowulf & Gilgamesh, Aug 2025)
Smoke House Stage, St Paul (Gilgamesh, w/pianist Jake Endres, Aug 2025)
Pillars of Prospect Park (Beowulf, July 2025)
CONvergence 2025 (The Odyssey, July 2025)
The Count’s Den, Los Angeles (Beowulf, March 2025)
University of California, Santa Barbara (Gilgamesh, March 2025)
Walker Place Community (Beowulf, Jan 2025)
Glitterbox Theatre (Beowulf, Oct 2024)
Hamilton College (Beowulf, Oct 2024)
Syracuse University (Beowulf, Oct 2024)
Chenango River Theatre (Beowulf & Gilgamesh, Oct 2024)
Colby College (Gilgamesh, Oct 2024)
Philly Fringe / Quig’s Pub at Plays & Players (Beowulf, Sept 2024)
Bryn Mawr College (Gilgamesh, Sept 2024)
Brewery Nønic, Wisconsin (Beowulf & Gilgamesh, Aug 2024)
Smoke House Stage, St Paul (Beowulf, w/pianist Jake Endres, Aug 2024)
Washington Square Park, NYC (Beowulf, July 2024)
Firefly Regional Burn, VT (Gilgamesh, July 2024)
Black Forest Inn / Walking Shadow (Beowulf, March 2024)
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (Gilgamesh, Nov 2023)
University of Wisconsin, River Falls (Gilgamesh, Nov 2023)
Providence College (Gilgamesh, Oct 2023)
FoxHouse Productions (Beowulf, Oct 2023)
Minnesota State University, Mankato (Beowulf, Oct 2023)
MN Poets at Squirrel Haus Arts (Beowulf, Oct 2023)
Nautilus Music Theatre (Gilgamesh w/pianist George Maurer, Oct 2023)
The Rosette @ Austin Classical Guitar (Beowulf, Sept 2023)
Fantastic Fest (Beowulf, Sept 2023)
University of Texas Austin (Beowulf, Sept 2023)
Texas State, San Marcos (Beowulf, Sept 2023)
Minnesota Fringe Festival (Gilgamesh, Aug 2023)
Chenango River Theatre (Beowulf, July 2023)
Providence Fringe Festival (Gilgamesh, July 2023)
Brewery Nønic, Wisconsin (Beowulf & Gilgamesh, June 2023)
The Rosette @ Austin Classical Guitar (Beowulf, March 2023)
University of Texas Austin (Beowulf, March 2023)
Black Forest Inn / Walking Shadow (Beowulf, March 2023)
Rabbit Hole Artspace, Boston (Gilgamesh, Nov 2022)
University of Minnesota (Gilgamesh, Sept 2022)
Iowa City Festival of Books/ James Theater (Beowulf, Oct 2022)
Providence Fringe Festival (Beowulf, July 2022)
Rabbit Hole Artspace, Boston (Beowulf, July 2022)
Brewery Nønic, Wisconsin (Beowulf & Gilgamesh, July 2022)
Hollywood Fringe Festival (Beowulf, June 2022) - Gold Medal Award, theTVolution
Woodlake Nature Center / Walking Shadow (Beowulf & Gilgamesh, Oct 2021)
CONvergence 2021 (Beowulf & Gilgamesh, Aug 2021)
Brewery Nønic, Wisconsin (Beowulf, July 2021)
Upper Midwest Backyard Tour (Beowulf, Sept-Dec, 2020)
Washington County (MN) Library SmARTpass (Beowulf, Oct 2020) - digital theatre
Anoka County (MN) Library SmARTpass (Beowulf, Sept 2020) - digital theatre
Walking Shadow Theatre Company (Beowulf, March/April 2020) - digital theatre
Minnesota Fringe Festival (Beowulf, Aug 2019) - Golden Lanyard Staff Pick Award
CONvergence 2019 (Beowulf, July 2019)

Plus numerous school, bar, backyard, house, and park performances around the United States.

BOOK A PERFORMANCE

These one-person shows have a flexible storytelling style that can easily be adapted to a wide variety of conditions, making them an ideal fit for backyard parties, fireside tellings, and intimate gatherings.

Rates vary depending on performance conditions and audience size.

For availability and booking information, please fill out this form and I’ll get back to you soon!