Riley Impersonator Coming To Warsaw Library

April 3, 2019 at 7:27 p.m.

By -

Danny Russel, who impersonates James Whitcomb Riley, will perform at 6 p.m. April 10 at Warsaw Community Public Library, 310 E. Main St.

Russel was cast in an original play, commissioned by The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, celebrating the life of the legendary “Hoosier Poet” in 1997.  After performing for several months, leading to years, Russel decided to take his act on the road as an impersonator of James Whitcomb Riley.  Russel will bring this whimsical portrayal of Riley capturing his charming sense of mischief.

The performance will share amusing shenanigans, dances on the medicine show, Riley’s success in the newspaper and on the lecture circuit, tours with Mark Twain, who called Riley “the best comedian in America,” performing his best-loved pieces (“The Raggedy Man,” “When the Frost is on the Punkin,” “Little Orphan Annie”) and will take requests. Learn about Riley’s connection to Raggedy Ann, the founding of Riley Hospital and more in this program celebrating National Library Week and National Poetry Month.

Russel and his wife, Teresa, live in Indianapolis. He studied at Chicago Actors Studio and Ball State University and has been a six-time grant recipient honored by the Indiana Arts Commission.

There is no cost to attend the show, but pre-registration is requested to insure the correct number of seats.

For more information, visit warsawlibrary.org or call 574-267-6011.

Danny Russel, who impersonates James Whitcomb Riley, will perform at 6 p.m. April 10 at Warsaw Community Public Library, 310 E. Main St.

Russel was cast in an original play, commissioned by The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, celebrating the life of the legendary “Hoosier Poet” in 1997.  After performing for several months, leading to years, Russel decided to take his act on the road as an impersonator of James Whitcomb Riley.  Russel will bring this whimsical portrayal of Riley capturing his charming sense of mischief.

The performance will share amusing shenanigans, dances on the medicine show, Riley’s success in the newspaper and on the lecture circuit, tours with Mark Twain, who called Riley “the best comedian in America,” performing his best-loved pieces (“The Raggedy Man,” “When the Frost is on the Punkin,” “Little Orphan Annie”) and will take requests. Learn about Riley’s connection to Raggedy Ann, the founding of Riley Hospital and more in this program celebrating National Library Week and National Poetry Month.

Russel and his wife, Teresa, live in Indianapolis. He studied at Chicago Actors Studio and Ball State University and has been a six-time grant recipient honored by the Indiana Arts Commission.

There is no cost to attend the show, but pre-registration is requested to insure the correct number of seats.

For more information, visit warsawlibrary.org or call 574-267-6011.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


Surf Internet Presents ‘Gig City’ Plaque To Warsaw Common Council
Representatives of Surf Internet presented a plaque to the Warsaw Common Council and mayor Monday night to congratulate them on becoming a “Gig City” with Surf Internet.

City Council OKs Moving Forward On Downtown Parking Plans
A soft rollout of the new downtown Warsaw parking technology and ordinances could come as early as August, with the official rollout in the fall. City Planner Justin Taylor told the Warsaw Common Council Monday that on May 7 the Warsaw Traffic Commission voted unanimously to give a favorable recommendation to the council related to the proposed changes for downtown parking.

Valley Board Honors Retiring Teachers, Hears Construction Update
MENTONE — Tippecanoe Valley School Board honored two retiring teachers Monday and heard a construction update on its new day care facility and administration building.

Warsaw Redevelopment Commission OKs BOT Agreement For Public Works Facility
A public hearing Monday on the build-operate-transfer (BOT) agreement between Robinson Construction and the Warsaw Redevelopment Commission for the Public

Janet Biltz
Janet Biltz, 89, Warsaw, died Monday, May 19, 2025.